Carter must leave sideshows in the past

Duron Carter needs to be an inviting target for quarterbacks instead of critics.

Enough of the sideshows. The show on the field has to be all that matters.

As one who does not turn 26 until March, Carter has time on his side, even if the detractors are not.

A receiver of immense talent, Carter — the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ latest signing of note — possesses Hall of Fame-calibre ability, but carries an accompanying reputation for being a distraction or a disruption.

It would be a far, far better thing if Carter were to end up disrupting the plans of rival defensive co-ordinators.

His size (6-foot-5 and 205 pounds), sure hands — what else would you expect from the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter? — and speed create the potential for a mismatch on virtually every play.

But Carter and Saskatchewan need to be a good matchup, too.

Character counts — especially with a communityowned team that is constantly scrutinized — and the conversations had best pertain to his traits instead of his travails.

Carter was dumped last October by the Montreal Alouettes when the team became tired of his act. He had earlier served a CFLissued suspension for shoving Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell after scoring a touchdown, and later clashed with Alouettes quarterback Rakeem Cato.

Those episodes did not deter several CFL teams from wooing Carter, who eventually received the best offer from Roughriders boss Chris Jones.

Since taking charge in Saskatchewan, Jones has been amenable to granting second chances. Some players, such as defensive back Justin Cox, seize the opportunity.

Others — most notably controversial defensive end Khalif Mitchell — are here and gone in a week.

If Carter is going to enjoy a long and prosperous pro football career, the transformation must begin here and now.

The time has arrived for this ultra-talented yet enigmatic receiver to follow a different pattern.