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Carter Looks To Shake Off Concussions; Of course Coughlin... nevermind...
Topic Started: Aug 5 2004, 09:29 PM (19 Views)
BlueHeart
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Carter looks to shake off concussions


BY RALPH VACCHIANO
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
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Tim Carter is catching on, hoping to come back after concussion-plagued 2003 season.

ALBANY - On Tuesday morning, Giants receiver Tim Carter leaped to catch a pass from Kurt Warner and took a huge hit from cornerback Terry Cousin. Carter dropped to the ground, clinging to the football. And for a second it looked like he might not get up.
The third-year receiver probably wasn't on the ground for more than two seconds, but he understands why people might have been worried. He suffered three concussions last season, including two in a two-week span. And he's well aware what one big hit to his head might do.

"After the first concussion (last season) I really didn't respect it that much," he said. "It was headaches and I was feeling sick, and there were signs and stuff, but I wasn't out cold. I just really didn't respect it that much until I had the second one. After that one, it was like 'I could keep getting these every time I get hit in my head.' That's kind of scary."

Eight months after suffering the last of the three concussions, Carter has managed to put those frightening thoughts out of his mind. He insists he's focused on trying to convince Tom Coughlin he's worthy of being the Giants' third receiver. And he's committed to staying healthy so he can stay on the field.

But that doesn't mean he's forgotten the last two months of his second NFL season, beginning with his first concussion in the loss to Atlanta Nov. 9. He suffered another one the next week (Nov. 16) against Philadelphia. He suffered a third against Washington Dec.7 before the Giants finally decided to shut him down.

Even Carter, who had 28 catches for 346 yards last year, admits he came back too soon after the first concussion, which made it easier for him to suffer the second one on a hit from Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent that Carter said "was close to being illegal." When Carter was asked who made the decision to let him play against the Eagles, he said, "I don't want to talk about it."

Carter did sit the next game, a Monday nighter in Tampa, but was back in the lineup Nov.30 against the Bills. The following week, he played against the Redskins and lasted into the fourth quarter before Jim Fassel noticed he was having trouble getting lined up before the snap. The Giants later revealed he had suffered his third concussion during practice that week.

The results of that were blinding headaches every few days that lasted until Christmas morning, and several visits to doctors who conducted a variety of tests. Carter wasn't cleared to return to practice until late in the offseason program, putting him a step behind the rest of the receiving pack.

Now he's trying to catch up while trying to win over his new coach, who is enamored with Carter's speed and ability to stretch the field, but understandably worried about his durability. Along with the four games Carter missed last season, he missed 11 as a rookie with a rib injury and a torn Achilles. Coughlin believes the speedy Carter can be a dangerous receiver, but he can't help the Giants if he's hurt.

"I have liked his speed, and there's no question that he puts the fear into the defensive back," Coughlin said. "But we've got a long way to go with regards to (injuries).

"I'm encouraged by the fact that his attitude has recognized that he's got to play through some things. It's very critical for him and his career that he learn to somehow stay on the field."

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