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Carter Not Entirely Defensive, Vows To Score Touchdown
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Published: September 6, 2008
TAMPA - Not a day goes by now when Bucs DL Kevin Carter doesn't jump across the line of scrimmage and spend time working with the receivers. It could prove to be time well spent.
For the first time in his 14-year NFL career, Carter has a chance to not only catch a pass, but also to score a touchdown. In fact, Carter is on record as saying he will score a touchdown this year.
"This is the year I score," he said. "This is my year. This year I will score my first NFL touchdown, my first touchdown of any kind. This is the year it happens for me."
In addition to manning the left end of the Bucs' defensive line, Carter also is playing a little tight end in goal-line and short-yardage packages.
His primary duty is to block, of course, but some plays call for him to run a route. If he runs his route well enough and finds a hole in the defense, the Bucs won't hesitate to throw to him.
"I've been catching balls every day, whether it's off the Jugs machine or from someone throwing them," Carter said. "I'm just trying to keep my pass-catching skills sharp because I hardly ever touch the ball."
Carter's skills have impressed TE Ben Troupe, who isn't surprised by anything the versatile lineman does.
"His skills are endless," Troupe said.
Carter would not be the first defensive lineman to go across the line of scrimmage and turn in a big play for the Bucs. Former DT Anthony McFarland often lined up as a fullback in the short-yardage scheme and former DT Warren Sapp caught four passes for 39 yards and two touchdowns at tight end during the 2003 season.
BUCS BLITZKRIEG: The Giants won a Super Bowl last year largely on their ability to blitz the quarterback. Now, other teams will look to do the same, according to Bucs coach Jon Gruden.
"People look at that and say, 'What are they doing that's so good? Maybe we need to take a look at it,'" Gruden said.
Though Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin usually tries to minimize the number of blitzes he runs, he may look to launch them more regularly this year. One reason for that is personnel. The Bucs have several corners and safeties as adept at playing man-to-man defense as zone. That presents more blitz opportunities.
"We've got eight athletic guys in our secondary who can not only play our traditional zone scheme but they can do a lot of things," Gruden said. "They're all capable blitzers as well as tacklers, so there's an opportunity for deception there that maybe we can use. If more man-to-man coverage and pressure is a part of that, then so be it. Monte does a great job of creatively using his people."
DEFENSIVE GOALS: There are several areas in which the Bucs hope to improve in 2008, including third-down defense and red-zone defense. The Bucs ranked 21st in the league in third-down defense last year and 29th in red-zone efficiency.
Gruden is hopeful improvement comes naturally.
"Second-year players usually show dramatic improvement," Gruden said. "And we're not just talking about guys like DE Gaines Adams, DE Greg White and FS Tanard Jackson.
"Guys like DL Kevin Carter and LB Cato June, they're in their second year here now, and second-year players usually show significant improvement. So, we hope some of our seasoned veterans get better, too."
GARCIA INJURY UPDATE: In addition to a sore right calf, QB Jeff Garcia is nursing a sore right pinky finger. Garcia injured his finger Aug. 23, in his lone preseason game, when his hand came down on someone's shoulder pads. It remains a little swollen, but Garcia said it will not affect his throwing or play in any way.
Roy Cummings
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