DMN: Cris Carter: God has given Dez a lottery ticket, but ‘he can’t cash it in'

[WoodysGirl]

By Jon Machota / Special Contributor (http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/author/jmachota/)
jmachota@dallasnews.com
7:50 pm on August 27, 2012 (http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2012/08/cris-carter-god-has-given-dez-bryant-a-lottery-ticket-but-he-cant-cash-that-thing-in.html/)| Permalink (http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2012/08/cris-carter-god-has-given-dez-bryant-a-lottery-ticket-but-he-cant-cash-that-thing-in.html/)

Former NFL wide receiver Cris Carter struggled with off the field issues early in his NFL career. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection battled addiction to alcohol and cocaine.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the ESPN NFL analyst called in to the Mike & Mike in the Morning radio show Monday on 103.3 [KESN-FM] when the topic turned to the off-the-field rules that have been set for Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2012/08/source-cowboys-dez-bryant-agree-to-strict-off-the-field-guidelines-a-look-at-some-of-them.html/).

“In my early twenties I had tremendous struggles, and if people didn’t go out of their way, I wouldn’t have became Cris Carter,” Carter said. “Now Dez Bryant has a choice. He now has the choice to become somebody or he’s just going to become a stat. It’s the same choice that I had to make. But I’m so thankful that the Eagles went out of their way to try and help me. And that’s why Buddy Ryan cut me. And then the Minnesota Vikings saved my life.

“They didn’t put the message in place that Dez has because I had made a decision that I wanted to turn my life around and take control of my life. But (with) certain heralded people, you have to put certain measures in place to kind of corral them until they get focused.”



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[tyke1doe]

If anyone knows, it's Cris Carter.

Now go cash that lottery ticket, Dez. :)

[Doomsday101]

I think Carter has been very fair in his comments in the past and now when talking about Dez. Carter knows from his own experience and that is why he helps by conveying his message to the rookies when they enter the NFL.

In high school and college if you had talent you got a free pass now things are very different and the spot light you live under is very different.

[a_minimalist]

I think Carter has been very fair in his comments in the past and now when talking about Dez. Carter knows from his own experience and that is why he helps by conveying his message to the rookies when they enter the NFL.

In high school and college if you had talent you got a free pass now things are very different and the spot light you live under is very different.

I agree, he's been more fair that a lot of former Cowboys which is frustrating.

[Verdict]

Cris Carter reminds me a lot of Michael Irvin. They have had their issues, but have ultimately at least figured out that you have to keep it out of the ditch for the most part.

I think both are also very realistic about who they are and have a realistic grasp of what today's players deal with.

As a lawyer, I "read" people for a living and my skills in that area are pretty sharp ...... and having said that, I think it is remarkable that Michael Irvin has done a pretty good job of keeping the wheels on in his life, because I think Mike's urge to "run it all the way in the ditch" is overwhelmingly strong. I think Michael is an "experience collector" who needs excitement in his life to feel alive. That's just my theory on the matter.

[DallasEast]

You know who could have a great one-on-one 'Crossfire' radio or television discussion on the topic of Dez Bryant? Cris Carter and Drew Pearson. That would be a conversation worth watching or listening to.

[Future]

Meh. Cris Carter learned his lesson because he was much easier to cut. His last year with the Eagles was a great season, but other than that he hadn't done anything. He didn't have the physical ability that Dez does.

[viman96]

Meh. Cris Carter learned his lesson because he was much easier to cut. His last year with the Eagles was a great season, but other than that he hadn't done anything. He didn't have the physical ability that Dez does.

What does that have to do with the struggles he faced and ultimately turning his life around? He is saying he got his wake up call and made the decision to move forward in a positive manner. And he hopes Dez does the same.

[WoodysGirl]

You know who could have a great one-on-one 'Crossfire' radio or television discussion on the topic of Dez Bryant? Cris Carter and Drew Pearson. That would be a conversation worth watching or listening to.
Indeed...

I don't even like popcorn, but I'd certainly pop some to listen to that debate.

[Future]

What does that have to do with the struggles he faced and ultimately turning his life around? He is saying he got his wake up call and made the decision to move forward in a positive manner. And he hopes Dez does the same.
I just meant that he's thankful for getting cut, Dez isn't going to get that kind of wake up call as long as he doesn't stab anybody.

[davidyee]

Meh. Cris Carter learned his lesson because he was much easier to cut. His last year with the Eagles was a great season, but other than that he hadn't done anything. He didn't have the physical ability that Dez does.

...we are talking about a player who has argueably the best hands in all of football...ever.

This man had incredible hand eye coordination the likes the league has not seen since.

The eye popping grab Dez made a couple of games ago, Carter has a few of those in his highlight film.

Mind you he had a longer career to collect those highlights, but he had the physical ability to make those plays. The film doesn't lie.

Take a minute and youtube them. Some of them are worthy.

[Vanilla2]

Carter seems to be a more reasonable and understanding then that jack wagon Heath Evans.

And the articles title is a bit misleading.