Link
WR Carter again providing instant offense
August 14,2006
Steve Reed
FREEDOM NEWS SERVICE CHARLOTTE — Instant offense.
That’s what the Carolina Panthers might be calling wide receiver Drew Carter by the end of the season.
On his first play Saturday night, Carter reminded fans of why the team is so high on this former fifth-round draft pick from Ohio State, catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme in tight traffic to give Carolina an early 7-0 lead against the Buffalo Bills in the team’s preseason opener at Bank of America Stadium.
“We work on that every day in practice,” Carter said. “When I’m in there and I get my chance, I have to make big plays. I wanted to come out here and make a statement and that is what I plan on doing. It just feels good to be out here and I feel blessed.”
If it seems like you’ve seen that kind of instant offense from Carter before, you’re right.
On the first play of his first NFL regular season game last season, Carter stepped in and caught a 40-yard pass from Delhomme against New Orleans Saints. That earned Carter significant playing time down the stretch and into the postseason, where he accounted for Carolina’s only offensive touchdown in a 34-14 NFC Championship game loss to Seattle.
Here’s the scary part for Carolina’s opponents – Carter is the Panthers’ No. 4 receiver.
With Steve Smith, Keyshawn Johnson and Keary Colbert all playing ahead of Carter, the Panthers suddenly seem to have the deepest receiving corps in the league.
Amazing, considering that was once considered perhaps the team’s biggest weakness.
“All four of us are working hard and we wanted to come out and show everyone we’re ready to play,” said Carter. “We drove the ball down the field on the first drive and scored and that felt pretty good.”
For now, Carter is content with his role, willing to do whatever the Panthers want to him to. Carter is one of those rare wide receivers who doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder.
He’s well aware that when Smith returns to the lineup, this is basically his team and he’s just there to help and provide that instant offense when called upon.
“We’re just holding down the fort until Steve gets back,” Carter said. “When we get him back we’re going to be even better.”
Carter had two touchdown passes in last year’s preseason, but said they don’t compare to the catch on Saturday night.
“Last year I think those catches came in the fourth quarter, so the first play, the first drive, that feels really good. It was definitely good to be out there with the ones,” Carter said.
Carter is quietly emerging into a potential NFL star.
He’s done it through hard work, relying upon his blazing 4.3-second speed and by picking the brains of the veteran receivers around him.
“Having Keyshawn here has been great for me,” Carter said. “He’s a good player and a good coach. He tells me a lot of stuff he knows as a veteran.
“Steve and Keyshawn like to talk, and I like to listen, so it works out pretty good.”
Now it just seems Carter is doing his talking on the field.
WR Carter again providing instant offense
August 14,2006
Steve Reed
FREEDOM NEWS SERVICE CHARLOTTE — Instant offense.
That’s what the Carolina Panthers might be calling wide receiver Drew Carter by the end of the season.
On his first play Saturday night, Carter reminded fans of why the team is so high on this former fifth-round draft pick from Ohio State, catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme in tight traffic to give Carolina an early 7-0 lead against the Buffalo Bills in the team’s preseason opener at Bank of America Stadium.
“We work on that every day in practice,” Carter said. “When I’m in there and I get my chance, I have to make big plays. I wanted to come out here and make a statement and that is what I plan on doing. It just feels good to be out here and I feel blessed.”
If it seems like you’ve seen that kind of instant offense from Carter before, you’re right.
On the first play of his first NFL regular season game last season, Carter stepped in and caught a 40-yard pass from Delhomme against New Orleans Saints. That earned Carter significant playing time down the stretch and into the postseason, where he accounted for Carolina’s only offensive touchdown in a 34-14 NFC Championship game loss to Seattle.
Here’s the scary part for Carolina’s opponents – Carter is the Panthers’ No. 4 receiver.
With Steve Smith, Keyshawn Johnson and Keary Colbert all playing ahead of Carter, the Panthers suddenly seem to have the deepest receiving corps in the league.
Amazing, considering that was once considered perhaps the team’s biggest weakness.
“All four of us are working hard and we wanted to come out and show everyone we’re ready to play,” said Carter. “We drove the ball down the field on the first drive and scored and that felt pretty good.”
For now, Carter is content with his role, willing to do whatever the Panthers want to him to. Carter is one of those rare wide receivers who doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder.
He’s well aware that when Smith returns to the lineup, this is basically his team and he’s just there to help and provide that instant offense when called upon.
“We’re just holding down the fort until Steve gets back,” Carter said. “When we get him back we’re going to be even better.”
Carter had two touchdown passes in last year’s preseason, but said they don’t compare to the catch on Saturday night.
“Last year I think those catches came in the fourth quarter, so the first play, the first drive, that feels really good. It was definitely good to be out there with the ones,” Carter said.
Carter is quietly emerging into a potential NFL star.
He’s done it through hard work, relying upon his blazing 4.3-second speed and by picking the brains of the veteran receivers around him.
“Having Keyshawn here has been great for me,” Carter said. “He’s a good player and a good coach. He tells me a lot of stuff he knows as a veteran.
“Steve and Keyshawn like to talk, and I like to listen, so it works out pretty good.”
Now it just seems Carter is doing his talking on the field.
Upvote
0
