Andre Carter hopes to come back next year
After a slew of injuries to the defensive line this year, the Patriots added veteran defensive end Andree Carter in mid-October. Carter, who had been released by Oakland in August, enjoyed previous success as a Patriot, recording 52 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in 14 games played with the team in 2011.
In nine games with the team this year, Carter totaled 4 tackles and 2 sacks, but did bring a veteran presence with knowledge of the team's defensive schemes to a unit decimated by injuries and without it's leader, Vince Wilfork.
Despite the disappointing end to the season in Denver, a game in which the D-line barely laid a hand on Peyton, Carter expressed interest in returning next year (Quote from BostonHerald.com):
Carter has grabbed some headlines since Sunday's loss after calling Wes Welker's hit on Aqib Talib "nasty," and suggesting it was intentional. His statement of loyalty to the team has flown under the radar as a result, but seems to be reflective of other players facing free agency. Both Legarrette Blount and Tommy Kelly have expressed similar interest in wanting to remain Patriots.
The fact that these key players have already been so adament about returning next year speaks to how tight-knit this particular group was. Regarding Carter, the main question is whether or not his clearly declining skill set and age (will turn 35 in May) warrant any level of monetary investment from the team.
Should Carter be willing to take an extremely team-friendly deal, I would bring him back simply for the knowledge of the system and veteran leadership he brings to the locker room. He also does provide some depth behind Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich. If this past season proved one thing, it is that depth is of the utmost importance in football.
What do you guys think? Should the Patriots re-sign Andre Carter? Vote in the poll below or let us know on Twitter: @PatriotsLife
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| AP Photo/Stephan Savoia |
In nine games with the team this year, Carter totaled 4 tackles and 2 sacks, but did bring a veteran presence with knowledge of the team's defensive schemes to a unit decimated by injuries and without it's leader, Vince Wilfork.
Despite the disappointing end to the season in Denver, a game in which the D-line barely laid a hand on Peyton, Carter expressed interest in returning next year (Quote from BostonHerald.com):
"It’s always disappointing, especially when you get in this game and you’re so close, just one step away, one game away from going to the big show," Carter said of the loss. "For a person like myself, I haven’t had many of these, so it’s disappointing. The positive side is the New England Patriots picked me up, believed in me, believed in my ability for whatever my role was, whether it was limited or a lot. I’m proud to be a Patriot, and I’ll always be proud to be a Patriot.This is the only team to play for no matter what."
Carter has grabbed some headlines since Sunday's loss after calling Wes Welker's hit on Aqib Talib "nasty," and suggesting it was intentional. His statement of loyalty to the team has flown under the radar as a result, but seems to be reflective of other players facing free agency. Both Legarrette Blount and Tommy Kelly have expressed similar interest in wanting to remain Patriots.
The fact that these key players have already been so adament about returning next year speaks to how tight-knit this particular group was. Regarding Carter, the main question is whether or not his clearly declining skill set and age (will turn 35 in May) warrant any level of monetary investment from the team.
Should Carter be willing to take an extremely team-friendly deal, I would bring him back simply for the knowledge of the system and veteran leadership he brings to the locker room. He also does provide some depth behind Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich. If this past season proved one thing, it is that depth is of the utmost importance in football.
What do you guys think? Should the Patriots re-sign Andre Carter? Vote in the poll below or let us know on Twitter: @PatriotsLife
