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Carter Thrilled After Milestone Sack

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 26, 2007

TAMPA - Tampa Bay DE Kevin Carter glowed like a child who received a Christmas toy after his team's 19-13 victory against Washington.

Carter's happiness was because his 7-yard sack of QB Jason Campbell on a third-and-7 play from Tampa Bay's 13-yard line with 11:51 remaining in the game was his biggest individual career highlight. His third sack of the season gave him 100.5 for his career, making him one of only four active players to have surpassed the century mark in sacks. The 13-year veteran joined New York Giants DE Michael Strahan (140.5), Indianapolis (and ex-Bucs) DE Simeon Rice (121) and Miami DE Jason Taylor (111) on the elite active sack leaders list.

"It felt wonderful," Carter said. "I'm just thankful. Over the course of your career while you're playing, you don't notice things, but some things are surreal, some things are milestones, and to actually be playing at this point of my career, to be on this level, and to be on this defense and be part of something special, it's really awesome.

"To get my 100th sack here, in front of the home crowd, was really something special."

Carter, a four-year letterman at the University of Florida who played for St. Louis, Tennessee and Miami prior to joining Tampa Bay this season, has enjoyed four seasons with 10 or more sacks. He had 12 sacks in 1998, 17 in 1999, 10.5 in 2000 and 10 in 2002.

Prior to Sunday, Carter had 51 tackles and two sacks, and started eight of 10 games. Although his streak of 102 consecutive starts was snapped against Carolina this year, Carter was passionate about his accomplishment.

"I'm waiting for the moment that I am all alone so I can sit down and cry," Carter said. "Words can't really express what it feels like to do something that not a lot of people have done in the game of football. I'm just humbled by it."

KICK 'EM DOWN: Many players stepped up during Tampa Bay's victory, but P Josh Bidwell arguably had the biggest impact.

Bidwell averaged 42 yards a punt to pin Washington back into its own territory on every change of possession. He even booted a 61-yard punt in the fourth quarter to tie a season long. The longest kick of Bidwell's career was 68 yards when he played for Green Bay in 2001.

"If it wasn't for some big punts and some big kicks, we wouldn't have come out with a win today," RB Earnest Graham said.

BARBER'S BALL HAS A HOME: Bucs CB Ronde Barber could have made a special place in his home for a big career achievement, but decided it belonged with an exceptional young person.

Barber recorded his 32nd career interception Sunday, moving him into sole possession of first place in franchise history. He elected to give that ball to Clearwater's Colin Goldstein, an 11-year-old who has been suffering from intestinal health problems.

The two recently met and Barber promised Goldstein if he made an interception Sunday, he would give him that ball.

"He's a great kid. Full of life," Barber said. "He has a great life ahead of him."

BUCS BITS: The starting time for Sunday's game at New Orleans has been changed to 4:15 p.m. (from its original 1 p.m. kickoff) for a national television broadcast. ... Tampa Bay's defense had four fumble recoveries, tying a team record for most in a game. The Bucs recovered four fumbles against St. Louis (Nov. 26, 2001) and Pittsburgh (Oct. 30, 1983). ... Bucs K Matt Bryant made four of four field goals, tying career highs in both field goals made and attempted in a game. Bryant has made 18 of 22 field goals this season. ... Bucs CB Phillip Buchanon's first-quarter fumble recovery was his first of the season and third of his career. ... Bucs LB Derrick Brooks made his 200th career start. ... Tampa Bay S Tanard Jackson recorded his first and second career fumble recoveries in the first quarter. ... Bucs S Jermaine Phillips recorded his first forced fumbled of the season (seventh career). ... Tampa Bay Tech's C.C. Culpepper, who led the Titans to a 6-4 record this season, has been named the Bucs 2007 Coach of the Year. Culpepper and his team were presented with a trophy and $1,000 check at halftime.

Anwar S. Richardson

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