Next Game
@
ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
If WR Jason Carter subscribes to the age-old saying ‘first impressions go a long way’ then he is more than on the right track to becoming a go-to receiver with the Argos. The Argos’ newest acquisition stepped into the starting lineup just over a week after signing his first CFL contract and made an impact almost immediately.
Lining up on the outside of the Argos offensive formation, in place of WR Reggie McNeal, Carter led all receivers with 94 yards receiving and averaged 23.5 yards per catch. The number of receptions were few but it seemed that Carter was able to come up with the big catch at the right time.
Perhaps none bigger than a 23-yard reception made on a crossing route late in the fourth quarter to keep an eventual touchdown drive alive (later capped by a one-yard Jamal Robertson plunge). Although Robertson sealed it, Carter’s catch bolstered an offence that, at that point, was desperate for a big play after a lackluster third quarter.
Carter, who came to Toronto after spending time in Minnesota Vikings training camp, says that he enjoys being placed in a role that can instantly uplift an offence: “Whatever I can do to bring energy, that is what I am going to do”, he said following his first CFL game. “That motion (in the backfield) is killing me man, I thought I was about to pull up with a cramp but it was fun and I just tried to be a high energy guy. That is one thing that I set out to do when I came here – to play high energy football and be a spark plug”.
The 27-year-old receiver joined the Boatmen on September 1st and after taking a week to learn the offence as well as get acquainted to his new quarterback, Cody Pickett, Carter seemed like he and Pickett had been playing for a significant period of time longer.
“I told Cody, ‘if you throw it my direction, consider it caught”, said Carter and his quarterback echoed the Texas A &M product’s strong play.
“He played very well. He got open, he caught the ball and also got some YAC (yards after the catch). He really helped us so hopefully we can get a bit of a rhythm and be ready to roll”, remarked Pickett.
The two will see if they can mimic the chemistry this weekend when they face a very tough B.C. Lions secondary that includes the likes of Korey Banks, Ryan Phillips and Barron Miles at B.C. Place.