Carter a receiver first and foremost
Duron Carter was the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ most outstanding player last season — and also their MVP. Most Versatile Player. In addition to excelling as a receiver, Carter punctuated his one start at cornerback by returning an interception 43 yards for a touchdown.
The demonstration of Carter’s varied talents creates the likelihood of more two-way play in 2018, now that he signed a oneyear contract extension instead of testing CFL free agency.
After the new deal was announced Monday, Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones noted Carter will continue to be used on both sides of the ball, in addition to being a returner on placement attempts. (He returned a missed convert 113 yards for a two-pointer last season.)
“I see myself as a game-changer no matter where I am on the field,” Carter correctly stated while yakking with reporters earlier this week.
Carter is indeed a rare talent, but his forte should be kept in mind as the Roughriders formulate blueprints for the 2018 season.
He is, first and foremost, a receiver — and a great one at that.
The ideal approach would be to deploy Carter situationally and selectively on defence, while ensuring he is a pivotal part of the offence.
The 26-year-old son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter is as talented as any receiver in the CFL — and more gifted than many NFL pass-catchers.
Defences must account for Carter’s every move, meaning fellow 1,000-yard receivers Naaman Roosevelt and Bakari Grant can find themselves in more oneon-one situations.
In September, for example, the Roughriders faked a handoff to Carter in back-to-back games to set up a long touchdown pass from Kevin Glenn to a wide-open Roosevelt.
When Carter is the primary receiver, he is capable of destroying defences to an extent that is beyond most players’ capabilities.
He is, essentially, a six-foot-five version of Joey Walters — someone who is so supremely skilled he can make the spectacular seem routine.
Carter amassed a team-high 1,043 receiving yards last season without being consistently accentuated in the offensive scheme. With his ability, he could come close to doubling that total.
Only the double duty could stand in his way.