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ESPN :: Georgia DT Jalen Carter 9 lbs heavier, struggles at pro day


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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter was nine pounds heavier than he was at the NFL combine about two weeks ago and couldn't finish his position drills at Georgia's pro day on Wednesday.

Carter, who was once considered a potential No. 1 pick in April's draft, weighed 323 pounds at the pro day. He opted to do only position drills and didn't participate in other aspects of the workout, including the 40-yard dash, cone drills, and other physical tests. Carter didn't finish the position drills because he was cramping up and breathing heavily.

Carter worked out in front of scouts and coaches from all 32 NFL teams in Georgia's indoor facility. Three head coaches -- the Falcons' Arthur Smith, Bears' Matt Eberflus, and Steelers' Mike Tomlin -- were in attendance.

Carter, 6-foot-3, also didn't work out in front of scouts at the NFL combine in Indianapolis on March 2. He was only measured and had interviews with NFL teams.

Carter didn't speak to reporters in Athens on Wednesday after missing his media session at the combine.

Carter's draft stock has dropped after he was arrested for his alleged role in a Jan. 15 car wreck in Athens that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.

Police allege that LeCroy was racing Carter's car when the SUV she was driving left the road and struck two power poles and several trees. Police said LeCroy's SUV was going 104 mph. According to police, she had a blood alcohol concentration of .197, about 2½ times the legal limit in Georgia.

Carter had to leave the combine on March 1 to return to Georgia, where he was arrested on misdemeanor charges of racing and reckless driving. Carter was briefly jailed before posting bond and returning to the combine. The misdemeanor charges carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The sentences are typically served through probation.


Carter's attorney, Kim Stephens, told ESPN on Tuesday that Carter will be required to appear in Athens-Clarke Municipal Court on April 18, nine days before the start of the NFL draft.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart spent time speaking to Tomlin, Smith, and others on Wednesday.

"I can speak to the competitive character of the young man," Smart told ESPN. "I got to see it every day in practice and every day in games. It shows tremendous committed character to have two injuries that you could have quit playing [but came back]. He could have sat out the rest of the year.

"He wanted to come back. He wanted to win football games. One of the greatest traits Jalen has is his teammates, his brothers. He endears himself to his teammates and wanted to come back for those guys."

Edited by tcmafreak
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3 minutes ago, LightningDawg58 said:

Not saying it’s not true, but I haven’t read any positive stories on the kid since the offseason.

There hasn't been much of anything positive to write. I can't blame the media for that. Someone (agent?, friends?, family?) has been giving him some bad advice on how to deal with all of this.

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2 minutes ago, Dark Bird Rising said:

Bad sign, the guy is lazy, looking for a payday, he want last in the NFL unless he change, he's doing all the wrong things that raise red flags for people that are about to commit a lot of money.

You might do with him what Tony Dungy did with Warren Sapp - buy a house in his neighborhood (or have him buy one in yours), so you can keep an eye on him and mentor him almost around the clock. 

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Untouchable in the first round. Sometimes you can look past character concerns. You can’t look past that + someone that shows up overweight and unable to finish position drills in their biggest interview.

All his actions the last few months show a lack of judgement, and now, laziness. Like someone else said earlier, the only difference right now between him and Ruggs is luck. That isn’t the type of person you draft in the first round and hand millions. 

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Alarm bells will be ringing with Arthur and the coaching staff.

With every passing week his stock is dropping unfortunately.

Not sure his antics today will help endear him as the type of character that the front office are looking to bring in. 

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I don't remember the last time a guy kamikazied his draft stock in such a short period of time. If a guy can't get in shape for a pro day before he's made a cent, what do you expect him to do once he signs his first contract. Massive red flag. Maybe he turns out fine but he's become a really scary prospect.

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I understand people look at him and see the next warren sapp but sometimes you have to step back and reevaluate the situation and realize your own greed might be getting the better of you. I hope he works his way through this but as a business decision I couldn’t risk it. Maybe day 2 or 3 when risk is lower but no way in the 1st round

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13 minutes ago, LightningDawg58 said:

The media are really out for this kid it seems.

That’s unfortunate.

Not saying it’s not true, but I haven’t read any positive stories on the kid since the offseason.

Not true. Carter did it all too himself and now he has to pay the price. Carter is the one that f'd up the start to his career. He needs to take responsibility, which he may be doing, but no way can this be blamed on the media. 

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Just now, tcmafreak said:

You might do with him what Tony Dungy did with Warren Sapp - buy a house in his neighborhood (or have him buy one in yours), so you can keep an eye on him and mentor him almost around the clock. 

It's ok to want someone but you have to pay attention to the signs, the speeding, not working out at the combine, gaining 9 pounds in a short time, not loosing the weight before the pro day, looking bad on the pro day and not doing all the drills on pro day. This is like a serious job interview for millions of dollars, let the buyer beware.

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1 minute ago, RYNE said:

You’re outta your mind. This will be the Jamar Chase can’t catch saga all over again. He’s going to be a beast 

There is 0 comparison between Chase struggling in preseason and Carters antics leading up to the biggest day of his life. Chase didn’t show character concerns or laziness leading up to the draft. 

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4 minutes ago, tcmafreak said:

You might do with him what Tony Dungy did with Warren Sapp - buy a house in his neighborhood (or have him buy one in yours), so you can keep an eye on him and mentor him almost around the clock. 

Those days are long gone. Players make way too much money and most aren't worth the effort.

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1 minute ago, myatlfalcons said:

Those days are long gone. Players make way too much money and most aren't worth the effort.

I can understand why you say that. It genuinely sounds like he is going through an mental breakdown. Whoever signs him is going to need to able to provide a strong support system.

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