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Friday, July 21, 2000
Carter fighting
uphill battle for
spot with 49ers
The former UH receiver
lines up with Jerry RiceALSO: Full Court Press
By Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinSTOCKTON, Calif. -- Dwight Carter was as familiar with the four-wide look as he was with the receiver split maybe six yards to his right.
"I'm thinking to myself, that's Jerry Rice out there, and he's about to run the slant pattern that was invented for him," Carter said after Wednesday evening's practice.
This was the first time San Francisco 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci had called for the formation Carter grew to love last season at the University of Hawaii. But instead of being split wide left in June Jones' version of the run-and-shoot, Carter was in the slot right.
His job is to run straight at the safety, then break off quickly in the flat. At the same instant, Rice slants over the middle, inside position attained. Quarterback Jeff Garcia flicked the football into the sure hands of Rice, who ran untouched for an imaginary score.
"He was just a flash as he went by," Carter said. "I kept my eyes trained on the quarterback in case Rice is covered. I'm the second option on that play."
Later in practice, Carter had the opportunity to make a much-needed catch on the same play. But instead of going down the middle, Garcia threw a hurried ball into the flat. It was low and away, but still catchable for the diving Carter.
The ball bounced off Carter's hands as he hit the ground, his wind punched out of him. A chorus of groans from the 500 or so fans watching the evening workout accompany the miss. It's as if they know the free agent is a longshot to make the team.
For one, the 49ers are deep at wide receiver. And of all the free agents, it has been Penn State's Chafie Fields who appears on track to make the practice squad at the very least.
"All of our receivers are so big," said Carter, who is a diminutive 5-foot-9 by comparison. "I'm just trying to get my scrawny butt out on that field whenever and wherever I can. I'm on every special teams they've got, just trying to land a spot."
Unlike fellow Rainbow Jeff Ulbrich, Carter is no sure thing to stick with the club. He had a stellar senior season for the Rainbows and was a key ingredient into Hawaii's remarkable turnaround.
But out here in San Francisco, the top three receivers are Rice at 6-2, 200, Terrell Owens at 6-3, 220 and J.J. Stokes at 6-4, 217. They are big targets, who can go up and get it, leaving Carter facing an uphill battle.
"I'm hoping to make a big play or two in the Hall of Fame game so I can get noticed," Carter said. "There are five receivers who will make it and there are 10 of us out here. It really comes down to seven guys fighting for two spots. I know it's going to be tough."
Carter was the last man off the field after the morning workout on Wednesday. He and Antonio Harrison worked with punter Tom Parks on a variety of special team drills. Most of the veterans and coaches were in the locker room preparing for lunch.
But like Carter, Harrison knows he might not be one of the receivers chosen, so it's best to work on punt returns and coverages in hopes of landing a job on special teams.
"Me and Dwight are in the same situation," Harrison said. "He helps me and I help him. It's like a partnership."
As for Carter, the summer training camp has been everything he expected it to be.
"It's been fun," he said. "It's hard work, too. I just hope I get a chance to play in the NFL. So far, my dreams are still coming true."
