Tag: Kevin Carter

Highlighting Rams legends: Kevin Carter, an unsung menace of the defense

One of the best pass rushers in Rams history, Kevin Carter was instrumental in the team’s pursuit of a Super Bowl in 1999.

When the story of the Greatest Show on Turf gets told, the only thing mentioned about the Rams’ 1999 defense is that it existed. All the fame and glory from that championship season has been and continues to be given to the offensive prowess displayed and points scored by the team.

However, behind the offense was a defense that was filled with stars and produced game-winning performances. Leading the pass rush was a consensus All-American and 1995 first-round pick from the University of Florida named Kevin Carter.

A monster among men, entering the 1999 season, Carter was a four-year veteran who had 35 career sacks and 192 total tackles. He was also named team MVP for the 1998 season.

Carter took his game to a new level in 1999, putting together one of the most impressive defensive performances in team history. While all eyes were on the offense, Carter put up a career-high 17 sacks, a mark that led the NFL that season.

Carter’s 17 sacks were the most recorded by a Ram since Jack Youngblood’s 18-sack season in 1979. As a result of Carter’s play, the Rams were the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL and had the most sacks that season as Carter earned his first Pro Bowl honor. He was also a first-team All-Pro selection.

In the postseason, Carter would record a sack in each of the Rams’ three playoff wins, including the team’s lone sack against Steve McNair in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Carter would spend one more season in St. Louis, recording 35 tackles and 10.5 sacks, before he was traded to Tennessee. After leaving the Rams, Carter played eight more NFL seasons with the Titans, Dolphins and Buccaneers before retiring.

Carter finished his career with another Pro Bowl selection, 104.5 career sacks and 637 career tackles. In retirement, Carter continues his work with the Kevin Carter Foundation, something he started during his career and has worked with Make-A-Wish. He also helps provide scholarships to college athletes.

Carter is a member of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

A pivotal part of the Rams’ success in St. Louis, Carter’s legacy will forever be sealed beside the Lombardi Trophy.

Here’s what former Gators said about Florida QB Anthony Richardson

Three former Gators were asked about Anthony Richardson after meeting with the team last week and they couldn’t help but be praise the Gators’ starter.

Over 100 former Florida Gators were in town to view UF’s practice on Friday, and Gators Online checked in with three of them to get their take on starting quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag].

Up first is [autotag]Trey Burton[/autotag], who played at Florida from 2010 to 2013. Originally recruited as a quarterback, Burton wound up playing multiple offensive positions for [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag] before embarking on a seven-year NFL career that he hopes to get another chance at. Although he spent much of his time in the pros as a tight end or halfback, Burton’s most famous moment came as a quarterback on the Philly Special trick play by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 Super Bowl. It’s safe to say that Burton knows what he takes to succeed at the next level, and his comments on Richardson served as a fairly strong endorsement.

“Your first impression ‘you’re like, damn, this kid plays quarterback? He’s just a physical monster,” Burton said. “The kid looks so impressive, just height and size, and he has a cannon for an arm. I’m really excited to watch the progression from last year, whether it’s reading defenses or getting everybody in the right play, in the right situation. And it seems like from what I hear from other people, just the leadership role he’s taken has just excelled over the last couple of years, so we’ll see what happens.”

Former Florida linebacker [autotag]Brandon Siler[/autotag], who played on the 2006 national championship team, also noticed that Richardson had NFL size.

“When I came back I talked with him for a little bit but my first impression of him is that he’s huge,” Siler said. “The dude’s legs are like this. He’s crazy big. When I look at a guy like him, that’s an NFL body. You just have to put it together and I’m pretty sure this year he’s going to hit that thing running that rock out and showing you exactly why and what he can do with that body.”

Defensive end [autotag]Kevin Carter[/autotag] was the final UF alumnus to chime in on Richardson. Carter was a four-year letterman during the Spurrier year who went on to a 14-year NFL career. Now he serves as an analyst for CBS, and he gave the scouting report on Florida’s first-year starter.

“Severely talented. Just amazingly talented. What he has to work on is something that can’t be quantified. It’s something that is poise, patience in the pocket, and decision-making. That’s something that is an art form.”

Carter said that Richardson needs to keep himself healthy too for the Gators to succeed. Raising his football IQ should come naturally as he gets more reps as a starter, and Carter reminded everyone that it’s also on the coaches to offensive coordinator to help develop such a special talent.

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