[Chron] Carr Interview 4/10/07

April 10, 2007, 12:15AM
Feeling like a new Carr
Ex-Texans QB says both sides have to move on


By JOHN McCLAIN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

For five years, quarterback David Carr was the face of a franchise that never won more than seven games.

Losing gnawed at Carr so much that it took the fun out of football. When the Texans released him last month, Carr felt relief.

When he signed with Carolina last week, the first pick in Texans history felt euphoric.

"It's been hard because I hate losing," Carr said Monday. "When you lose, it's not a fun game, and it's hard to play. The last couple of years, I've thought, 'Is it exciting for me to play anymore?'

"The moment I was released by Houston and I signed with Carolina, I felt like I was reborn. I was getting a fresh start. That's a feeling I hadn't had in a while."

Carr and his family returned from California late Monday afternoon, and he spoke to Houston reporters for the first time since the Texans gave him his pink slip, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Carr, who won 22 starts and came off the bench to engineer a come-from-behind victory, visited Seattle and Carolina, where he signed a two-year contract worth $6.2 million, including $3 million guaranteed.

"I've got a lot of good memories," he said. "There were some good times, but the bad times far outweighed them. That leaves a little bit of a sour taste because of unfinished business.

"At the same time, both sides have to move on, and it's going to be good for both of us. The NFL's a small world, and I'm sure we'll cross paths again somewhere."

Carr will cross paths with the Texans next season when they play at Carolina.

When the NFL schedule is released within the next week, Carr will find out when the Texans play the Panthers.

If quarterback Jake Delhomme is healthy and playing well, he'll start against the Texans.

If not, Carr will play against his former team.

"I don't think you have to look too far to read into what I would hope happened in that game," Carr said. "If we play, and I happen to be on the field, it'll be fun and exciting. I'd give them my best shot, and I'm sure I'd get theirs as well."

This will be the first time since early in his college career at Fresno State that Carr hasn't been the starter. It's a role he's adjusting to mentally as he prepares to move to Charlotte.

"It's actually a really good situation for me," Carr, 27, said. "It's an opportunity for me to get on a winning team and improve as a quarterback.

"The low point (with the Texans) was not winning and not making the playoffs. That's something I want to experience in Carolina. That's why I made the trips I made.

"As far as me being a backup quarterback, I'm going to do everything I can to get Jake ready to play. If my number's called, I'm going to go out and give the Panthers my best."

As the backup, Carr won't have to bear the brunt of criticism. He won't have to hear about Vince Young seven days a week. The pressure he experienced every week with the Texans won't weight heavily on him.

Never a lack of effort

"I have no regrets," he said with a stern look. "I did everything I knew to do. I prepared as well as I could have.

"I can honestly say I never had a lack of effort on the field. In the end, I'll be able to sleep well when I'm done here.

"It's going to be weird watching them play without me, but I feel they can be a special team, with or without me. They're going to do well next season. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the playoffs."

Carr has come to grips with what happened in Houston. He has no ill feelings toward the Texans.

Carr's not thinking about being sacked 249 times. Or being sacked more than any quarterback in the league in three of his first four seasons. Or having three offensive coordinators and four offensive line coaches.

"It's irrelevant now," he said. "What's done is done. I'm with a new team. The Texans are moving on, and some things that happened were unfortunate, but at the same time, I made some great relationships and got to meet a lot of great people. It would be hard for me to say it was wasted.

"I've got a handful of guys on this team I'm going to be friends with for life. When you win, it's nice, but when you lose, you find out who your true friends are. I've built some strong relationships, but we're not going to stop being friends because I play for a different team."

When coach Gary Kubiak asked for a new starting quarterback and the Texans traded for Atlanta's Matt Schaub, Carr became expendable.

"Me and Gary had a lot of conversations over the last couple of months, and I think we're both happy with what happened," Carr said. "I'm excited about the opportunity in Carolina.

"They've got a great team, good offensive line, good receiving corps, solid defense. Pat Hill (Fresno State coach) and (Panthers coach) John Fox have been friends for a long time, and I know he's a great coach. I've known (Fox) for a long time, and I've been a fan of his for a long time. It's good that it's worked out this way."

Thanks to the fans

Carr was asked if he had a message for the fans.

"I would say thanks," he said. "Thanks for cheering for the team. Thanks for your prayers.

"We didn't get where we wanted to go, but they will. They've got a good group of players. Gary's a great coach. Mr. (Bob) McNair's first class all the way.

"It was a good ride, and it was fun."

LINK

 

Just like the TV interview posted last week, he almost seems relieved that he won't be starting. Just a little strange, for a guy that had so much fire when he was in college. I think he's truly lost his joy for playing football.

Maybe I'm digging too deep.