The Redskins have re-signed running back and special teams leader Rock Cartwright, the team announced on Wednesday. Cartwright was set to become an unrestricted free agent but he let it be known since the end of last season that he wanted to remain in Washington.
"There's no doubt I want to stay here," he told Redskins.com TV's Larry Michael earlier this week. "I love the fans, I love the organization and I love being a Redskin. It's a great place for me."
Cartwright, 5-7 and 223 pounds, has been a valuable contributor with his toughness both on offense and on special teams. He played in 15 games for the Redskins during the 2005 campaign and finished third on the team in special teams tackles with 22.
Last season, Cartwright logged 27 carries for 199 yards and two touchdowns as the backup to Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. He had a career game at St. Louis in Week 13, rushing for 118 yards on nine carries, including a career-long 52 yard run.
Over his four NFL seasons, Cartwright has played in 59 games with three starts and has tallied 139 rushing attempts for 632 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 31 receptions for 320 yards and one touchdown.
Cartwright was drafted by the Redskins in the sixth round (257th overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft.
The Kansas State star earned All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention from the league's coaches as senior 2001. He finished his senior season with 66 carries for 292 yards and two touchdowns with 15 receptions for 108 yards. Cartwright had transferred to Kansas State prior to his junior season from Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, Texas).
In addition to his success on the field, Cartwright also is very active in the Washington area community. Last season, he participated in the Redskins Charitable Foundation's 4th & Life program, speaking to Washington, D.C., high school student-athletes about the importance of setting goals.
In 2004, he participated in the Redskins Charitable Foundation All Stars' renovation of a new room at the HSC Pediatric Center in Washington, D.C.
