Armchair Quarterback: Veteran Carter can help Miami
Fantasy football coaches are scrambling this week, picking up future hall of famer Cris Carter after he ended his short-lived retirement, opting to play with the injury-riddled Miami Dolphins.
Still one of the best receivers in the game when he left at the end of last season from the Vikings, Carter ranks second all-time in touchdown receptions, second behind only the great Jerry Rice. His loss from the Viking organization is likely one of the things which led to the demise of the Minnesota team this year. Without his direction and leadership, Randy Moss has gone off the deep end, and the Vikings have sunk lower than low with their only win being a squeaker over the Detroit Lions.
Of course, Carter himself had difficulties in his career, struggling with drug addiction during his days with the Philadelphia Eagles. His off-the-field problems were likely what prompted Coach Buddy Ryan to let him go and make the now infamous statement, “all he does is catch touchdown passes.”
How many times have we heard that line on ESPN in the past years?
But, Philadelphia’s loss was Minnesota’s gain as Carter put up hall of fame numbers while with that organization in a re-born career, and was one of the most dominant receivers in the league.
Sure, he may have lost a step from his prime playing days, but the step has been more than replaced by an understanding of the game, precise route running and his influence in the locker room. His influence was what brought the Vikings within a botched Gary Anderson field goal of going to the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.
However, as we are now seeing, advancing age does not necessarily mean a player’s days of contributing are gone. Just look at Jerry Rice. Everyone thought he was goner when Terrell Owens became the man in San Francisco. Well, as we’ve seen this year, the elder statesman is alive and well in Oakland as he continues to put up superstar numbers week after week as part of the so-called Geritol Gang out west.
From what I’ve heard, Carter has kept in shape during his short retirement. If this is so, I look for him to make an immediate impact when he starts against the Green Bay Packers after Miami’s bye week.
Seeing that Miami’s two main receivers are injured, Carter will be asked to step up and immediately deliver since the Dolphins are in the midst of what could be a Super Bowl run. The major problem could still lie with Fiedler’s back-up as Ray Lucas had a bad game last week; however, nothing like a veteran target at wideout to help settle the kid down.
If Carter can help the Dolphins survive while their starting quarterback is out, his addition to the team could prove the championship difference. Opponents will face a new threat. They will have a guy who knows the game better than anyone and a guy who will be able to guide the newer receivers, like Chris Chambers, who was hurt in a helmet-to-helmet hit against Denver, helping them fulfill their potential.
With Carter, Ricky Williams and the Dolphins’ tough defense, they’ll be hard to bet against if they can survive the back up quarterback storm and at least make it to the playoff and not have to travel to Buffalo for a playoff game. They’ve already proven they can win in Denver.