Defensive end proving he still can be a force ASHBURN — Andre Carter wanted out, knowing he wasn’t a good fit in Washington anymore. The Redskins knew the same. And they knew he could still play — just not for them.
Carter, in his first season with New England, has embraced a return to playing in a four-man defensive front. He leads the Patriots with nine sacks, including four in one game against Jets tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
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“It’s fun, man,” Carter said. “This is something I’ve done for a long period of time.”
Carter signed with Washington in 2006, escaping San Francisco, which had him play as a 3-4 outside linebacker the previous year. Carter flourished in 2009 when he recorded 11 sacks as a defensive end.
But when Mike Shanahan arrived, the Redskins switched to a 3-4 and asked Carter to play linebacker. He struggled in that role, eventually just rushing as an end. Then he asked for his release after the season.
“Well, Andre’s more comfortable in a 4-3 defensive scheme. There’s no question about it,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. “I’ve always been pulling for Andre Carter because he’s a guy that I think you guys would say that, ‘Hey, he’s pretty easy to get along with.’ Very accountable.”
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “He’s a very professional guy that’s smart [and] a well-conditioned athlete. He really works hard at football, and things are really falling into place for him here. I know the 3-4 is probably a tough fit for him. [But] in a four-man line, he fits right in. He’s really done a great job for us. I think the system is definitely part of it.”
Now, instead of the December drama he grew accustomed to in Washington, Carter is on a team that’s 9-3 with visions of winning a Super Bowl.
“It was never easy,” Carter said of playing for the Redskins. “The thing is to be optimistic. That’s something I always learned being there and being in any tough situations. Nothing in life is ever perfect. Being there in Washington, I played with some great men. Definitely, London Fletcher is on top of the board. Phillip Daniels, Renaldo Wynn. It was a lot of good memories despite the tough times.
“I think [Shanahan] is headed in the right direction. Unfortunately, winning doesn’t come overnight. It’s going to take a little bit of time.”
