MJZiggy
09-28-2006, 10:22 AM
Brad Zimanek column: Hearing a cheer for Carroll over chorus of boos
By Brad Zimanek packersnews.com
Ahmad Carroll did something good Sunday. He made the play of the game in the Packers' first win of the season.
Yeah, he could have been called for one of his many pass interference penalties, but he wasn't. And, because of his tight coverage on Corey Bradford, the ball popped out of Bradford's hands and into the arms of Marquand Manuel, who returned it for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead en route to a 31-24 victory.
Good for him.
Usually in this profession, you don't "root" for players. Rules of objectivity discourage it. But human nature being what it is, you sometimes can't help it.
I root for Carroll to succeed. The noise you just heard wasn't a tornado, but the air being sucked out of Wisconsin by gasping Packers followers questioning my intelligence and screaming: "You do what?!"
Many wouldn't mind if the Packers cut ties with the penalty-prone, waste of a first-round pick with an attitude problem. I don't see it that way. Carroll came out of college as a junior and that was a mistake.
But ever since he was drafted, he has faced hurdles.
First, Mike Sherman selected him in the first round when, because of his inexperience, he wasn't worthy of being a first-round pick. That alone elevated expectations compared to if he was a second- or third-round choice.
Second, Mike McKenzie's orchestrated flight to New Orleans forced Carroll into the starting lineup as a rookie when he wasn't ready for it mentally or physically.
Third, the NFL instituted tougher rules for defensive backs on illegal contact. That was all Carroll had ever known while at Arkansas and, in all honesty, his speed and physical play were the main reasons Sherman drafted him in the first place.
Fourth, and not to be taken lightly, is the adjustment for an African-American growing up in Atlanta to moving to and living in Green Bay. It's a culture shock to put it mildly  and it doesn't help when the hometown fans are booing you.
No one could blame Carroll for being frustrated with things he couldn't control and with his own physical abilities being questioned probably for the first time in his life.
After being demoted with the acquisition of Charles Woodson, I expected Carroll to be bitter, but he wasn't. He said his goal for his third season was to get eight interceptions and be the best special teams player he can be.
Of course, eight is unrealistic considering he has three for his career. But you can't fault him for setting his goals high.
Carroll is a gifted athlete and he can be a productive NFL starting cornerback. He has already suffered through a lot of adversity and I'm partial to people  in sports and in life  who can weave through life's obstacles and reach the finish line.
Brad Zimanek can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 297, or at bzimanek@postcrescent. com.
By Brad Zimanek packersnews.com
Ahmad Carroll did something good Sunday. He made the play of the game in the Packers' first win of the season.
Yeah, he could have been called for one of his many pass interference penalties, but he wasn't. And, because of his tight coverage on Corey Bradford, the ball popped out of Bradford's hands and into the arms of Marquand Manuel, who returned it for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead en route to a 31-24 victory.
Good for him.
Usually in this profession, you don't "root" for players. Rules of objectivity discourage it. But human nature being what it is, you sometimes can't help it.
I root for Carroll to succeed. The noise you just heard wasn't a tornado, but the air being sucked out of Wisconsin by gasping Packers followers questioning my intelligence and screaming: "You do what?!"
Many wouldn't mind if the Packers cut ties with the penalty-prone, waste of a first-round pick with an attitude problem. I don't see it that way. Carroll came out of college as a junior and that was a mistake.
But ever since he was drafted, he has faced hurdles.
First, Mike Sherman selected him in the first round when, because of his inexperience, he wasn't worthy of being a first-round pick. That alone elevated expectations compared to if he was a second- or third-round choice.
Second, Mike McKenzie's orchestrated flight to New Orleans forced Carroll into the starting lineup as a rookie when he wasn't ready for it mentally or physically.
Third, the NFL instituted tougher rules for defensive backs on illegal contact. That was all Carroll had ever known while at Arkansas and, in all honesty, his speed and physical play were the main reasons Sherman drafted him in the first place.
Fourth, and not to be taken lightly, is the adjustment for an African-American growing up in Atlanta to moving to and living in Green Bay. It's a culture shock to put it mildly  and it doesn't help when the hometown fans are booing you.
No one could blame Carroll for being frustrated with things he couldn't control and with his own physical abilities being questioned probably for the first time in his life.
After being demoted with the acquisition of Charles Woodson, I expected Carroll to be bitter, but he wasn't. He said his goal for his third season was to get eight interceptions and be the best special teams player he can be.
Of course, eight is unrealistic considering he has three for his career. But you can't fault him for setting his goals high.
Carroll is a gifted athlete and he can be a productive NFL starting cornerback. He has already suffered through a lot of adversity and I'm partial to people  in sports and in life  who can weave through life's obstacles and reach the finish line.
Brad Zimanek can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 297, or at bzimanek@postcrescent. com.