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mmarra82 · 04-03-2004, 03:25 PM

Posted on Fri, Apr. 11, 2003

VIKINGS REPORT: Carter signs with Jets

BY BILL WILLIAMSON

Pioneer Press

Tyrone Carter is leaving the Twin Cities.

The Florida native, who etched a place in Gophers history, agreed to terms with the New York Jets on Thursday, leaving the Vikings and the Twin Cities after seven seasons here.

"Sometimes leaving home is the toughest thing,'' said Carter's agent Drew Rosenhaus. "He really found it hard to leave the Vikings. He would have loved to stay in Minnesota, but the Jets offered him a rare opportunity.''

Rosenhaus said Carter would officially sign a two-year contract today. Terms were not available, but it's believed Carter got a signing bonus.

The Jets will give Carter a chance to return kicks, as well as an opportunity to play cornerback and safety.

Carter was a college legend but was unable to play consistently well for the Vikings, moving between cornerback and safety. He was named the starting right cornerback after two games last season but lost the job after four games and played the rest of the season as a nickel cornerback. He returned 17 kickoffs for 20.6 average.

Carter started 20 games as a Vikings, but at 5 feet 8, 190 pounds, many coaches considered him too small to be a consistent performer in the NFL. Still, it was a popular move locally when the team drafted him in the fourth round of the 2000 draft.

Carter, 27, was the first Gopher to earn consecutive All-America honors since Bobby Bell in 1961-62. He had 528 tackles in college, an NCAA record for defensive backs.

Even though they are revamping their secondary, the Vikings had a limited interest in retaining Carter as a reserve. He turned down modest offers from the Vikings and Indianapolis last month. He became an unrestricted free agent when the Vikings declined to give him a contract tender for this season.

04-03-2004, 03:25 PM	#31
mmarra82 High School Varsity Join Date: May 2001 Location: Oakdale, New York	Jets Get Help at Safety Posted on Fri, Apr. 11, 2003 VIKINGS REPORT: Carter signs with Jets BY BILL WILLIAMSON Pioneer Press Tyrone Carter is leaving the Twin Cities. The Florida native, who etched a place in Gophers history, agreed to terms with the New York Jets on Thursday, leaving the Vikings and the Twin Cities after seven seasons here. "Sometimes leaving home is the toughest thing,'' said Carter's agent Drew Rosenhaus. "He really found it hard to leave the Vikings. He would have loved to stay in Minnesota, but the Jets offered him a rare opportunity.'' Rosenhaus said Carter would officially sign a two-year contract today. Terms were not available, but it's believed Carter got a signing bonus. The Jets will give Carter a chance to return kicks, as well as an opportunity to play cornerback and safety. Carter was a college legend but was unable to play consistently well for the Vikings, moving between cornerback and safety. He was named the starting right cornerback after two games last season but lost the job after four games and played the rest of the season as a nickel cornerback. He returned 17 kickoffs for 20.6 average. Carter started 20 games as a Vikings, but at 5 feet 8, 190 pounds, many coaches considered him too small to be a consistent performer in the NFL. Still, it was a popular move locally when the team drafted him in the fourth round of the 2000 draft. Carter, 27, was the first Gopher to earn consecutive All-America honors since Bobby Bell in 1961-62. He had 528 tackles in college, an NCAA record for defensive backs. Even though they are revamping their secondary, the Vikings had a limited interest in retaining Carter as a reserve. He turned down modest offers from the Vikings and Indianapolis last month. He became an unrestricted free agent when the Vikings declined to give him a contract tender for this season.