Safety, Chicago
Bears
Age: 22
College: Southern
California
Height: 6’1” Weight: 180
Prelude:
Recipient of
the 1989 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top collegiate defensive back,
Carrier was chosen by the Bears in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1990
NFL draft. The pass defense had ranked 24th in the NFL in ’89, and
Carrier moved directly into the starting lineup at free safety. What he lacked
in size and speed, he made up for with outstanding instincts and was a solid
hitter.
1990 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 10 [1]
Most
interceptions, game – 3 at Washington 12/9
Int. return
yards – 39
Most int.
return yards, game – 14 (on 1 int.) at Phoenix 10/28
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 2
Forced fumbles
– 5
Tackles – 122
Postseason: 2 G
Interceptions
– 1
Int. return
yards – 0
TDs – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
NFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI
1st
team All-NFL: Pro Football Weekly
2nd
team All-NFL: AP
1st
team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl
Bears went 11-5
to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the NFL in interceptions (31).
Won NFC Wild Card playoff over New Orleans Saints (16-6). Lost NFC Divisional playoff
to New York Giants (31-3).
Aftermath:
Carrier was
hampered by a broken wrist and his interception total dropped to two in 1991,
but he was still chosen to the Pro Bowl, along with SS Shaun Gayle. A
disappointing season in ’92, which was also a down year for the team, was
followed by much improved play in 1993 and a return to the Pro Bowl. He
remained in the starting lineup for another three seasons with the Bears before
being released in 1997 and picked up by Detroit. Carrier intercepted five passes,
his most since his rookie year, as he overcame a back injury early in the year.
After three solid seasons with the Lions, he moved on to Washington as a free
agent in 2000 where he played one last year. Overall, Carrier intercepted 32
passes, one of which he returned for a TD. He received at least some All-NFL
honors after two seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by
a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper
Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the
league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
