bubba9497 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070801/SPORTS01/108010091/1005 click link for full article Carter's comfort showing on field August 1, 2007 By David Elfin - For most of his first season in a Washington uniform, defensive end Andre Carter fit right in with the rest of the Redskins' hugely disappointing class of megamillion newcomers. Through six games, Carter — who had averaged 8½ sacks in his three full seasons at end for San Francisco — had just 11 tackles and two sacks. Not long thereafter, Carter and defensive line coach Greg Blache had a heart-to-heart. "Probably at times, I was a little bit robotic because I was trying to do what the coaches asked me to do," said Carter, the 49ers' first-round pick in the 2001 draft after an All-American senior year at California. "That's what I do. I'm a coach's son. I want to work hard and do what I have to do to make my team better. Greg said, 'I understand what your mentality is, and now I'm asking you to let it go, be free.' From that day forward, that's what I did." Five games later, Carter's tackles were rising, but the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Californian with the massive wingspan still had just two sacks. "Andre was getting pressures [he led the team with 21], so it wasn't like he wasn't getting to the quarterback," said teammate Renaldo Wynn, who lost his starting spot to Carter. "As hard as that guy works, we just kept telling him the sacks were going to come." They did. Over the final five games, Carter recorded four sacks and was credited with 33 tackles (27 solo). His sacks led the team, and his 56 tackles (47 solo) topped the line. "Andre kind of played a hybrid position his last year in San Francisco," assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams said of Carter's lone season at outside linebacker. "So [last year] he struggled with his footwork, his hand placement and his commitment of being a fulltime defensive end again. "Andre really made strides from about midseason on of just being comfortable with his technique," Williams continued. "When you remove all that clutter upstairs of overthinking and you're just flat playing hard, Andre's one of the most finely conditioned people I've ever been around. His motor races as hot on the last play of the game as it does at the start of the game." Carter's father, Rubin, was a longtime defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos before he went into coaching — including 1999-2000 with the Redskins. But the 28-year-old Carter doesn't take football for granted despite being around the sport all his life. "Time goes by fast," Carter said. "This is my seventh year in the league. I love the game. I cherish playing it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Redskins Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 It only makes sense that with his increased familiarity in the system and at the position, he would get better through the year, and he did. Also, I think sacks are an overrated statistic. Obviously Carter was getting pressure on the QB as evidenced by his pressure statistic total. I think he'll pick up where he left off and have an outstanding season. He reminds me of a poor man's Jevon Kearse: long wingspan, a little undersized, and fast for his position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurf85 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I really love all of these great articles about our team, but this happens every year. The players always get talked up when training camp comes along and then they don't do that great or they get hurt. So I am just going to wait until the season before i start talking about how the players are doing. They can look as good as they want in camp the games what matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peregrine Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 When you look at what Carter did at SF when he was playing DE(and not LB), and combine that with his work ethic and his physical condition, he can be a force to be reckoned with, and Lord knows we are going to need that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rm8899 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 He definitely was a force in SF and down the stretch towards the end of last season... But it worries me hearing the reports of him having trouble with an undrafter rookie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbondman Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 what I hate is that EVERYBODY is promising to be an all pro and have a career season about this time of the year. Lots of talk and not much to back it up. Just shut up and play....and stop with all the excuses about being in the wrong position or having a different coach or just slow to start, etc. Shut up and perform or retire your sorry *****. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtySkin21 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 He definitely was a force in SF and down the stretch towards the end of last season... But it worries me hearing the reports of him having trouble with an undrafter rookie. what is this about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terpfan Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 It was just one practice. (re: the Heyer comment above) I would love to see Caryer be a 10+ sack guy for us. I think it would restore so much confidence in this defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siven Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Carter should have had 10 + sacks, man on man, was he getting held by tackles like crazy during the end stretch of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xameil Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Carter is a beast. You always saw him getting close to the QB. This year now he has the system under his belt, and with our upgraded secondary where QBs will have to hold the ball longer, he'll be racking up the sacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 "What we've seen in the offseason and in training camp so far is that Andre's poised for a breakout season," Williams said. I really hope so for this guy. Definately amped to seem him play this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsTerps26 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 what I hate is that EVERYBODY is promising to be an all pro and have a career season about this time of the year. Lots of talk and not much to back it up. Just shut up and play....and stop with all the excuses about being in the wrong position or having a different coach or just slow to start, etc. Shut up and perform or retire your sorry *****. What i hate is miserable posts like this. If you read the article you would know no one was promising an all pro/career season, just that Andre Carter feels much more comfortable at his position. The season is still a month away so what good does saying "just shut up and play" do? How about you shut up. Let the players talk when they get interviewed and start talking **** about players once the season starts, not a month before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loxley Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 What i hate is miserable posts like this. If you read the article you would know no one was promising an all pro/career season, just that Andre Carter feels much more comfortable at his position.The season is still a month away so what good does saying "just shut up and play" do? How about you shut up. Let the players talk when they get interviewed and start talking **** about players once the season starts, not a month before. Good call. This time of year is all about the unbridled optimism and not much else. Everybody CAN be poised for a breakout year. Its all about how much they want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I like Carter. I think he has the skills to be the man on our line and the aditude to boot. I'm glad he is getting more comfortable. Whatever he did or was allowed to do at the end of last season, it sounds like they want to build on it. GW gets a lot of guff about making players conform to his sceme instead of letting them do what they do best and it sounds like they are both on the same page. If Carter is able to build on his sucsess from last year and Washington does in fact play some end on passing downs, we are going to have some sick speed coming off the edge. Both of those guys going wide, with the DTs holding the middle up and getting containment and pressure themselves, is realy going to open up some nice blitzing lanes for LL and ST. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzhi Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 People expecting Carter to do much better, 10+ sacks, this year will probably be disappointed. Last year, teams weren't looking to handle him. After his little run at the end of last season, teams are going to look for him, whether double teaming him, chip him, and etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 People expecting Carter to do much better, 10+ sacks, this year will probably be disappointed. Last year, teams weren't looking to handle him. After his little run at the end of last season, teams are going to look for him, whether double teaming him, chip him, and etc.I can't imagine anybody being disapointed with anybody on our line gettting 10 sacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tone_dubbz Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 "poised for a break out season".......... I sure hope so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMetal Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 People expecting Carter to do much better, 10+ sacks, this year will probably be disappointed. Last year, teams weren't looking to handle him. After his little run at the end of last season, teams are going to look for him, whether double teaming him, chip him, and etc. Right on, and no one else on our D-line is going to be commanding any double teams either, so he won't be getting any help whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jthor99 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Carter needs Cornelius to really have a good year this year. If Griff gets injured or hurt i think that really hurts Carters season. He needs Griff to really cause pressure up the middle to allow the Qb to have to step out of the pocket. Which , is what Carter wants to happen with his speed rushes around the outside. Remember Carter is considered a smaller DE in the league. He wont overpower many Tackles in the league thats why Griffin is key to his success in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Edds Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 jthor99 and mcmetal are right on with this ... while i think Crater has the athletc ability to bring in about 4 sacks all on his own; his sack numbers will be reliant on the play of the other DT's. I don't see Carter dominating any left tackles withouth pressure coming from Griff/Golston/Daniels etc. I'm not worried about his total stats either, I'm worried about whether or not the whole defensive line as a unit can get pressure on the QB and stop the run. The numbers will come regardless ... we just need to work together ... and fly to the ball like in 04 and 05. Fly to the ef'n ball and make a play, someone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xameil Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Part of Carters problem last year wasn't his size, and ability to get by the tackles. QBs were able to dump the ball off quick before Carter could get to them. With an improved secondary, that won't happen this year. Granted, pressure up the middle will help as well, but even when that happened QBs were able to get the quick dump off, and get major yards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Make no mistake. Andre is going to have to play a pivotal role this season if we're going to succeed in my mind. I know Griff is the mainstay, but if Andre can manage to shed blocks and harass the QB on a consistent basis this season, or open things up for someone else, that is obviously going to be a huge help for the entire defense IMO regardless of the role's the LB's and DB's play. His entire game improved a great deal toward the end of the season IMO and I expect it will continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Carter was the one signing last year that I really endorsed. While his upside isn't great, his floor is pretty high. You never have to worry about him going out there and giving you a clunker of a season. I think after 3 or 4 years here we'll look back and say that 2006 was his worst season. Not too many players outside of QBs are ascending players in their 7th seasons but I think AC qualifies. Ideally, he'd be our 3rd DE but he's literally the 1 player on this line I'm not worried about. Glad he's on our team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schoolmaster Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Carter is a beast. You always saw him getting close to the QB. This year now he has the system under his belt, and with our upgraded secondary where QBs will have to hold the ball longer, he'll be racking up the sacks. Exactly. This is where the wisdom of a ball coach like Gibbs comes into play. They could have mortgaged the farm and got the best DE/DT in the draft.... But, they knew they already had excellent talent in Carter, Golsten, Montgomery, etc... They wanted to significantly upgrade their defensive backfield. They're banking on guys like Griffin and Salevea getting healthy and plugging the middle, their secondary blanketing the passing game.... allowing guys like Carter to come off the edge and destroying the QB and handoffs in the backfield.... Also, I think people will be suprised how a guy with the speed, strength, and quickness of a Laron Landry will upgrade the Skins run defense. Opponents will have to commit a TE AND a running back to stop Landry.... That means there won't be double-team help to stop guys like Carter, Griffin, Washington, Fletcher.... etc. And with Landry's speed, a double-team still may not stop him. I see Landry as a true IMPACT player, where he makes the entire defense a lot better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schoolmaster Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 People expecting Carter to do much better, 10+ sacks, this year will probably be disappointed. Last year, teams weren't looking to handle him. After his little run at the end of last season, teams are going to look for him, whether double teaming him, chip him, and etc. Yes, you would be right if it weren't for the other improvements in the Skin's defense. They have added a truly gifted middle linebacker in London Fletcher. He will be essentially the QB of the defense. Even last year, the Redskins, despite the injuries had some decent defensive talent. What they lacked was on-field leadership. London will be able to make last-second adjustments to get people in the right position to make the play. He will make a big difference.... A healthy Shawn Springs, the return of Fred Smoot. I could on and on.... the Skins will be noticeably better on Defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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