Cornerback, Kansas
City Chiefs
Age: 23 (Nov.
28)
College: Tennessee
Height: 6’1” Weight: 181
Prelude:
Carter was a consensus
All-American in 1991, excelling as both a defensive back and kick returner. He
was chosen by the Chiefs in the first round of the ’92 NFL draft (20th
overall) and moved into the starting lineup for nine games.
1992 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 7 [3, tied with Mark Kelso, Eugene Robinson & Donnell Woolford]
Most
interceptions, game – 1 on seven occasions
Int. return
yards – 65
Most int.
return yards, game – 36 (on 1 int.) vs. Denver 12/27
Int. TDs – 1 [6,
tied with many others]
Fumble
recoveries – 2
Kickoff
Returns
Returns – 11
Yards – 190
Most yards,
game – 70 (on 3 ret.) vs. Philadelphia 10/11
Average per
return – 17.3
TDs – 0
Longest
return – 39 yards
Punt Returns
Returns – 38
[4]
Yards – 398
[4]
Most yards,
game – 100 (on 4 ret.) at Seattle 11/22
Average per
return – 10.5 [8]
TDs – 2 [1,
tied with Todd Kinchen, Kelvin Martin & Clarence Verdin]
Longest
return – 86 yards
Scoring
TDs – 3
Points – 18
Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff at San
Diego)
Interceptions
– 0
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Kickoff
returns – 1
Kickoff
return yds. – 5
Kickoff
return TDs – 0
Punt returns
– 1
Punt return
yds. – 1
Punt return
TDs – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
AFC Rookie of
the Year: UPI
Chiefs went 10-6
to finish second in the AFC West and qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card
while leading the conference in fewest passing yards allowed (2537). Lost AFC
Wild Card playoff to San Diego Chargers (17-0).
Aftermath:
Carter
followed up with an inconsistent 1993 season in which his great playmaking ability
was intermingled with often bad decisions, and there were issues off the field as
well. However, his coverage skills improved and he was named to the Pro Bowl in
each of the next four years, reaching his peak while playing in combination
with James Hasty on the other side. He was also occasionally used as a wide
receiver on offense, catching six passes in 1996, one of which was good for a
46-yard TD. A forearm injury hampered Carter in 1998, limiting him to 11 games,
and he signed a large free agent contract to join the Denver Broncos in ’99,
where he underachieved. He was suspended for 18 months, starting with the 2000
season, due to substance abuse and resurfaced with Minnesota in 2001, where he
was united with his brother, WR Jake Reed. Moving on to New Orleans in ’02,
suspensions continued to be an issue and he played a total of 15 games over the
course of two years with the Saints. He spent the 2004 season on injured
reserve before finishing his career with the Baltimore Ravens in ’05. Overall,
Carter intercepted 24 passes, averaged 9.5 yards on 83 punt returns, and was selected
to the Pro Bowl four times, but off-field problems ultimately derailed his
career.
--
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).
