Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001

Cris Carter’s future

Vikings receiver likely to leave Minnesota

By Keith Schleiden, Managing editor

Certainly the worst thing to happen to the Vikings was the untimely death of Korey Stringer in training camp. From there on, things seemed to go downhill.

There was the opening-week loss to the Panthers. There was the humiliating Week 14 loss to the Lions. There’s been the awful play of the defense. There have been squabbles on the sidelines, the most notable of which have usually involved Cris Carter and Randy Moss. There have been incidents involving Moss; the most recently reported was his berating franchise sponsors on the team bus for sitting in his seat. There has been speculation over whether head coach Dennis Green would return, and if so, whether he would still retain his personnel powers.

And now there’s heated speculation over the future of Carter. Will he stay or will he go?

I don’t know the answer for sure. But my gut — which is backed up by some evidence coming out of Minnesota — tells me this will be Carter’s last year as a Viking. If that’s the case, the Week 15 game vs. the Jaguars could be Carter’s last in the Metrodome.

In recent weeks, it’s come to light that Carter’s contract will expire following this season. That means he’s going to be an unrestricted free agent — free to do what he pleases.

One of the things that he’s said to be excited about is the opportunity to land a TV gig. He apparently has worked diligently at improving his on-screen presence. Certainly he’s not camera-shy — he has to be aware that his sideline antics are routinely broadcast.

My guess is that Carter will succeed in his second career, which could lead him to ESPN or one of the major networks as a studio analyst.

However, I doubt Carter is really done playing. He can still play at a high level, although his numbers this season aren’t spectacular. In fact, with 712 receiving yards, he’s in danger of not reaching 1,000 in a season for the first time since 1992.

He refuses to say what he intends to do. He’s not closing the door on anything. He doesn’t want to declare his retirement and then have to backtrack if the right opportunity arises. He acknowledges these upcoming three games could be his last as a Viking. They could be his last in the NFL.

But, as he says, he has options. He could choose to play elsewhere in 2002. If the right opportunity — read: dollars, realistic championship chances — comes along, I bet Carter jumps at it. A team like the Broncos? What about the Ravens? Those could be interesting to Carter.

Only time will tell what happens with Carter. My money’s on his departure from Minnesota — but to another NFL team.

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2001 - 2002 Season