Carter Optimistic About the Vikings’ Chances to Improve

In just over a month, wide receiver Anthony Carter says, he’s noticed two things about the Minnesota Vikings: They’ve got a lot of talent and they have to learn how to use it.

“I don’t think they have any weak spots,” Carter says. “We have a team of great talent and it’s all about using it the right way, not one guy out there hustling but 11 guys hustling. Once we can do that as a team we can be a great team.”

Carter admits, though, that’s going to take awhile.

“We got a lot of new faces on the team, young guys,” he says as the 3-1 Vikings prepare for their National Football League game today against the undefeated Rams in Anaheim. “Young guys are gonna make mistakes, I think the coaches are aware of that. I think right now they’re mostly preparing for the future.”

So is Carter, because already the 25-year-old has learned what it means to be great--his reputation reached Minnesota before he did.

Following an All-America career at the University of Michigan, Carter played his first two pro seasons with the United States Football League’s Michigan Panthers. The Panthers merged with the Oakland Invaders for the 1985 season, when Carter caught 70 passes for 1,323 yards.

The Miami Dolphins, who drafted Carter on the 12th round in 1983 even though he had signed with the Panthers, traded Carter’s rights to Minnesota after finding themselves with too many wide receivers.

Even at a whopping $2 million over five years, the Vikings jumped at the chance to obtain Carter. The 5-foot-11, 162-pound lightning bolt could be just the explosive threat that the Vikings needed to bolster their attack.

After catching just three passes for 41 yards in Minnesota’s first two games, Carter had seven receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns in the last two.

“It’s a lot that’s still expected out off me as far as myself and the fans,” says Carter, who doesn’t feel he has really gotten going yet.

“It will happen, but its gonna take time,” he says. “That’s the most important thing. You gotta have patience. I’m here for five years, so if doesn’t happen this year, maybe next year. If not, the following year.”

Carter says the switch from the USFL to the NFL has been no problem and he’s concentrating on becoming accustomed to being a Viking.

“It’s something I’m still working on each day out here, which is helping me a lot to get better. I don’t think anyone could come in here and learn the Minnesota Vikings’ offense right away,” says Carter, who spent less than a week at training camp in Mankato before the season started.

Although Carter didn’t actually choose to come to Minnesota, he’s glad he did.

“I think it’s a great place. The atmosphere is nice and the people are nice,” he says.

In the past, watching receivers such as Sammy White and Leo Lewis of the Vikings have served as Carter’s inspiration.