Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Marino's sales pitch sends Carter to Miami
Former Vikings receiver un-retires
The Associated Press
MIAMI - The Miami Dolphins lured Cris Carter out of the broadcast studio and out of retirement thanks to some arm-twisting by one of their biggest fans: Dan Marino.
The former quarterback persuaded HBO colleague Carter to put his TV career on hold and join the Dolphins to bolster their injury-plagued receiving corps.
Carter, who ranks second to Jerry Rice in career receptions and touchdown catches, signed a one-year contract Monday that will pay him $550,000, with another $700,000 possible through incentives. Carter is a Middletown native and former Ohio State Buckeyes star
When the Dolphins first contacted Carter last Wednesday, he was reluctant to return. Marino swayed him.
“Marino's crazy,” said Carter, who turns 37 next month. “I had squashed the whole idea - "I'm not going to do it.' Danny and I were getting ready to go into the studio, and I tell him, and he just goes ballistic - "You've got to do it. You can still play. It's a great situation for you.”'
By Saturday, Carter had a tentative deal with the Dolphins, and their 23-10 loss Sunday to the Buffalo Bills underscored the need to upgrade the passing game. Ray Lucas threw four interceptions in his first start since 1999, and Dedric Ward and James McKnight - pressed into starting roles because of injuries - combined for just four catches.
Miami (5-2) still leads the AFC East, and Carter believes the Dolphins can help him win a Super Bowl ring, one of the few accomplishments to elude him during a 15-year NFL career.
“Besides championships, there's nothing I could do that would quench my thirst,” Carter said. “This isn't an individual thing. It's more about the opportunity with this team.... If they were 3-4, I wouldn't be here.”
Following a news conference to announce the signing, Carter reported for his first team meeting. With two weeks to prepare for Miami's next game at Green Bay on Nov. 4, Carter said he's in good shape and expects to learn the offense quickly.
“In a pinch just tell me, "Cris - down and in,”' he said. “It's the same as Little League football.”
With the Minnesota Vikings, the outspoken Carter developed a reputation for being charming before a camera but selfish on the field and divisive in the locker room. But Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt and his players said they'll welcome Carter's input and experience.
“Even if he's just on the sideline hanging out, he'll be a big plus,” Miami linebacker Zach Thomas said. “He'll bring some leadership and teach our guys some things.”
A bye this week gives the Dolphins extra time to tweak their offense, which was sent into a downward spiral by injuries to quarterback Jay Fiedler and receivers Chris Chambers and Oronde Gadsden. Chambers is expected to return from a concussion for Green Bay, but Gadsden will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his left wrist.
Gadsden decided to have surgery rather than play with the injury when Miami rejected the terms he sought in a contract extension.
“We were worlds and miles and miles apart,” Dolphins senior vice president Rick Spielman said.
Gadsden was placed on injured reserve Monday and becomes a free agent this winter, meaning he has likely played his final game for Miami. But he expressed no bitterness about being replaced by Carter.
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Marino's sales pitch sends Carter to Miami
