Carter gets good reception
December 19, 2005
By Brett Borden
Panthers.com
The Carolina Panthers waited 14 games and three plays to unveil their secret offensive weapon. On third-and-five from his own 35-yard line, quarterback Jake Delhomme fooled the New Orleans Saints defense by throwing deep to second-year wide receiver Drew Carter. Carter hauled it in for a 40-yard completion. <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="200"> <tbody><tr> <td>
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Drew Carter hauls in his first NFL reception, good for 40 yards. (AP Photo) </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> It was a play Carter had made many times in mini camp, training camp, the preseason, and even practices recently. To do it in a game that counts fired up the Panthers sideline.
"Getting a big play like that and getting him his first NFL catch, that's big," said Delhomme. "I don't know if you noticed, but the other guys got extremely fired up for him. He's a kid that works hard, and everybody got excited."
Even the defensive players were excited. It was fun for them to see Carter fly by someone else for a change.
"He has been killing us in practice," said safety Mike Minter. "He has been making plays on our defense and really looking good. I told him today before the game that it's just like practice and not to put any more pressure on himself. He took advantage of his opportunities. It's a good thing to see young guys step up and make the most of their chance."
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Teammates like Mike Minter were glad to see the Drew Carter they had seen in practice appear in a game. (Getty Images) </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>For a while, it looked like Carter might not get a chance. He spent his entire rookie season in 2004 on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during summer school sessions. A fifth-round draft choice from Ohio State, he was almost an afterthought when the Panthers traded for veteran wide receiver Rod Gardner at the onset of training camp. But Carter kept making plays, leading the team with 16 catches for 191 yards and two touchdowns during the preseason.
"He is a guy with a lot of speed," said Delhomme. "We need to get him the ball. He's a big, tall target who can run. When you can go four wides, it's kind of nice."
Four wide receivers can stretch a defense, provided all of them are perceived as legitimate threats to catch the ball. Carter had never even appeared in a regular season game before Sunday, never mind catch a pass.
"It feels good," he said. "I was just excited to get dressed, let alone play," Carter said. "I was more anxious than nervous. I went in there hoping I would get dressed and get in the game. All year long I was thinking, Maybe this week, maybe this week, maybe this week.' I just tried to hang in there and practice hard."
He caught a second pass for eight yards Sunday, which also provided a first down. Now that he has gotten his feet wet in the regular season, he hopes he can contribute in the clutch as the Panthers prepare for two very big games this week and next.
"Hopefully, we keep doing it," said Carter. "I hope the coaches have confidence that we can do four wides consistently. We work hard as receivers and we know we can play. I think we showed that today."
