Colbert or Carter? That is the question

By Chris Cluff  |   Thursday, September 13, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

Carolina Panthers
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Keary Colbert or Drew Carter? That is the question.

Neither one of the two wide receivers has separated himself from the other since they were drafted in 2004, and both are still trying to prove they can be the complement to the Carolina Panthers' star receiver, Steve Smith.

Colbert had a good rookie season after the team drafted him in the third round. He then struggled the past two seasons but had a great summer this year and won the No. 2 spot over Carter, a fifth-round pick in 2004.

As a rookie, Colbert caught 47 passes for 754 yards and five scores, prompting the Panthers to let Muhsin Muhammad go the next offseason and make Colbert the starter opposite Smith. But Colbert did almost nothing in '05 despite starting every game (it turned out an ankle injury was largely to blame).

With neither Colbert nor Carter making the expected progress after two years, the Panthers signed Keyshawn Johnson in 2006, and the veteran started every game. Colbert again was almost nonexistent, even deactivated for five games, while Carter caught 28 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns.

Colbert was unsure whether his days might be numbered in Carolina - particularly after the team drafted Dwayne Jarrett in the second round this year. But Colbert outplayed both Jarrett and Carter in the preseason and re-earned the starting job.

Then came the season opener against the St. Louis Rams, and Colbert had just one catch for 9 yards while Carter caught two touchdown passes. Quarterback Jake Delhomme threw to Colbert just twice and went to Carter three times, hitting him for scores from 10 and 9 yards.

Meanwhile, it is obvious that Smith remains Delhomme's favorite target. Delhomme threw to the diminutive star 14 times, completing seven for 118 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown.

It appears Colbert will remain the other starter for now, but the Panthers are still waiting for him or Carter to step up. And if they don't, Jarrett is right behind them.

For now, though, the question is: Colbert or Carter?
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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