<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Watch out Mr. T. Barbers, start your clippers. The “Rock Hawk” may soon sweep Washington. The Redskins are 3-0 since kick returner Rock Cartwright grew a modified mohawk. Teammates are starting to love it enough for a few haircuts should the team make the Super Bowl. It may not match Sanjaya’s faux hawk in American Idol, but kids may soon be rocking the hawk. “I just wanted to change a little bit of something,” Cartwright said. “The guys took to it. I guess it’s a good luck charm. Hopefully, it will be pretty long and I’ll have it in mid-February.” Cartwright has emerged as one of the Redskins’ leaders as Washington meets Seattle on Saturday in the first round of the NFC playoffs. He is the warrior of special teams, a 5-foot-8 fireplug who proves you don’t have to be massive to play pro football or start to be a marquee player. Much like Brian Mitchell once led the Redskins as a perennial Pro Bowl returner, Cartwright is the next specialist willing to tell those playing far more snaps to follow him. After a series of late losses, Cartwright distributed T-shirts to teammates urging them to play hard like they’re trailing even when ahead. Mitchell was also a running back and occasional starter from 1990-99 whose on-field trash talk was legendary. It was easier for him to become a leader. Cartwright has also gained respect as a teamer. Seems there’s always room for another tough guy. “The fact that he’s 5-8 and has no fear,” said 285-pound fullback Mike Sellers, shaking his head in bemusement. “He likes to be heard. He’s always had a screw loose so this adds to it.” Said Cartwright: “It’s just me as a person. I enjoy what I do,” he said. “I’m passionate about it and I think the guys take to it.” Cartwright’s 25.8 yards per return was one-tenth of a yard short of becoming the team’s best season since Mike Nelms’ 29.7 yards in 1981. It’s 3.1 yards more than last year when eclipsing Mitchell’s single-season team record for most kickoff return yards with 1,541 yards. An improved defense gave Cartwright 12 fewer chances this year for 1,339 to earn a Pro Bowl alternate slot. A 2002 sixth-rounder, Cartwright only returned 16 over four years before last season. Ironically, it could also lead to his departure. The unrestricted free agent will gain some offseason interest and a chance to run the ball may factor into Cartwright’s decision. After only two carries this year and Betts still ahead of him on the depth chart as the top reserve, there’s little chance Washington offers Cartwright more touches offensively. Maybe it’s a deal-breaker, but another team’s promise of backfield time could tempt him. “I want to be here so bad. I love the organization, I love the city, I love the fans,” he said. “[But] anybody wants the opportunity to run the football.” Hopefully, the Redskins and Cartwright won’t be splitting hairs over contract terms.</div> Source: SF Examiner
