Carr’s game-breaking ability scares opposition
Riders coach, QB see receiver as key offensive component
Maybe Greg Carr’s brilliant debut with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers wasn’t the best thing that could have happened.
Maybe catching back-to-back 74- and 71-yard pass-and-run touchdowns for his first two CFL receptions back in 2010 created unfair expectations.
They certainly showcased the six-foot-six wide receiver’s potential, which he is now trying to achieve with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“Greg has big-play capabilities. He’s a big, tall receiver. I’d like for him to take a step and show he’s a dominant receiver in this league,” Saskatchewan head coach Corey Chamblin said. “He has the height, he has the size, and he has the ability.
“I’d like to see him do that on a consistent basis and, hopefully, he can continue to make some big plays for us.”
Carr, who scored 21 of his 29 U.S. college touchdowns in his first two seasons at Florida State, has already teased the Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos with his gamebreaking ability. He caught seven passes for 107 yards and a TD for Winnipeg in the 2011 Grey Cup after playing only 11 regular-season games because of injuries.
He signed as a free agent with the Eskimos in 2012 after reportedly agreeing to contract terms with the Bombers, but was traded to Saskatchewan on Sept. 5 with a fifth-round draft pick for the rights to offensive lineman Matthew O’Donnell and a fourth-round selection after making but 19 catches for 214 yards and a major in seven games. He added another 15 catches for 163 yards and a TD in seven games with the Riders, but was hampered by injuries most of the season.
“Just working hard and staying healthy,” Carr said of his current goals. “I have a whole lot of confidence in my ability. I know that no matter what, I’m going to work hard to get to where I need to be.”
Carr said he enjoyed his brief time in Edmonton “but things didn’t work.”He takes the blame for how things turned out, even though then-quarterback Steven Jyles didn’t do a good job of getting him the ball.
“It’s over and done with,” he said. “Now, I’m thankful to be where I’m at and in a good situation. Now, I’m just trying to make the best of it.”
Carrac knowledged QBDarian Durant and the talented receiving corps with Weston Dressler, Rob Bagg, Chris Getzlaf and Taj Smith that surrounds him.
“You know a situation like that doesn’t come often to be around such a talented group of people, so you want to make the best of it,” he said.
Carr said “what happened before (with Edmonton), it might add fuel to the fire” for Saturday’s season-opening game at Commonwealth Stadium, but for the most part, he’s just trying to be “the best player I can be.”
What’s the best player he can be?
“We’re still waiting to see,” he replied, before adding that it’s “like a really good player.”
“It’s going to take time, it’s going to take learning, it’s going to take experience,” he added.
Eskimos defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall is concerned about trying to cover the lanky Carr.
“Obviously, his size presents a challenge, no matter who’s lined up against him,” said Marshall. “It gives him an opportunity to make some plays that other guys can’t, just because of his reach.”
While most CFL defensive backs are usually around five-foot-10, the Eskimos are fortunate to have veteran Chris Thompson at six feet and sixfoot-two Marcell Young, a former Hamilton Tiger-Cat who signed as a free agent this year, at defensive halfback.
Carr is expected to see a lot of action at slotback on Saturday while replacing the Roughriders’ injured Geroy Simon (hamstring) and should still win any “jump ball” situations, but the size mis-match isn’t as great as it would be on the outside.
“Regardless of who’s on him, it’s a challenge,” Marshall said. “We’ve just got to have tight coverage and force the quarterback to make a perfect throw.”