Rage Pushes Deveron Carr
May 4th, 2013
Carr scored a rare undrafted free agent signing bonus from the Bucs.
The underwear Olympics NFL Combine is not an all-inclusive event. To participate in the combine, one must be invited by the NFL.
Playing cornerback at Arizona State, Deveron Carr thought being an All PAC-12 honorable mention cornerback (who logged a 4.0 in the fall of 2012 as a grad student), would get him invited to the NFL Combine to show off his wares for NFL scouts and coaches.
When that didn’t happen, Carr was one PO’ed person. Smart guy that he is, he turned all of that negative energy into his workouts rather than sulk.
He posted times of 4.36 and 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the Sun Devils’ pro day and when he fell through the cracks of the draft, Bucs rock star general manger Mark Dominik offered him a signing bonus of $15,000 to sign with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent; an unheard of sum.
Carr spoke about the emotional rollercoaster he has ridden the past few months.
“I can run fast, a lot of guys out west can run fast, speedy guys,” Carr said.”
When he wasn’t selected to work out at the combine, “I was pissed off for greatness,” Carr said. “I did not take it negative at all. Every day in training I took it out, I put all that [anger] into training. If I let that take me down, I wouldn’t be able to perform.”
Carr could have signed with any team — teams, unlike the Bucs, who are desperate for corners. Instead, he selected the Bucs because of the top-heavy roster highlighted by one Darrelle Revis.
“With Darrelle Revis on the roster, he is the best at man-press and that’s what I am good at,” Carr said. “To come in and have a great opportunity to learn from a vet like him” is a tremendous advantage.
Carr noted that he struggled with a few techniques the Bucs had him use, struggled because he was foreign to these concepts.
“Yeah, I was struggling with technique a little bit but I thought positive about it,” Carr said. “Hey, I have to get this technique and I think I am getting closer to perfecting it each day. It’s a little different. I am just used to backpedaling.
“I’m not looking for any handouts. I am just looking to play hard.”
Carr, at one point during this weekend’s rookie minicamp, was singled out by coaches to join a handful of other cornerbacks, including second-round pick Johnthan Banks, for specific instructions. This is a good sign. Typically, only those expected to survive the weekend are pulled aside for individual coaching. This is how Leonard Johnson, also an undrafted free agent corner, made his bones last spring.
May 4th, 2013 at 8:09 pm
If he can put the technique, and hunger together with that speed. We might find a Gem with this guy
May 4th, 2013 at 8:39 pm
Yes, hopefully we have uncovered a few gems this weekend. Hope landi makes it
May 4th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
If some of these guys are gems that show there stuff this year plus all of our pro bowlers stay healthy,I say the bucs are 12-4 and in the super bowl!Anyone want to jump on this band wagon.
May 4th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Corner #3 or #4 caliber hopefully
May 4th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I hope he is awesome, makes the team, and becomes a pro-bowler.
May 4th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Or rather hopefully he can contribute to either this season.
Hopefully his potential can reach a solid #2.
May 4th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Talking about his position on the depth chart not how good I want him to be.
Obviously I want him to be great but I want Revis and Banks at 1 & 2
May 4th, 2013 at 9:08 pm
I hope this just makes things harder on the Bucs brass to pick the best 53, looks like there will be great competition with the CB’s With EZ Wright, Banks, Johnson and Carr and DE with Means, Gholston, Neo and hopefully Selvie returns to RJS form.
I also think Mike James will be first back in game behind Martin unless he does whatever Mike Smith did last year.
May 4th, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Great story Joe! What a interesting off season! I can wait to see how everything plays out! I am ready for some football!
May 4th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
@bucobruce
Hell, why not the superbowl! If you get hot at the right time, who knows! I’d be happy taking the division first though! I’ll be happy winning most of our home games and not having to endure the torturous walk back to the car while hearing the opposings teams fans sing their fight song. That totally sucks! 12 – 4 sounds damn good to me! Go Bucs!
May 4th, 2013 at 10:22 pm
Hey!Don’t forget about MYRON! After all, he has a new number. Since we have so many CBs….I am hoping he bulks up and goes after an O-line backup spot or, with his blazing speed TE. Go Myron, Go!!!
May 4th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
@Dreambig,Your so right about home games.It almost seems like a waste of money and Im coming from Lakeland.When they win I love the long drive and hanging my flags and every one honking and raving.BUCS 12-4 SUPER BOWL BOUND!
May 4th, 2013 at 11:50 pm
“Rrsrq Says:
I also think Mike James will be first back in game behind Martin unless he does whatever Mike Smith did last year.”
Now that’s funny, right there⬆!!
May 5th, 2013 at 1:47 am
@Joe:
These takes from Rookie Camp are great!
I’m so envious of anyone who can see these events (OTAs, TC) live, seeing how these guys distinguish themselves. (Or not.)
Any more takes on how the position coaches are going about their business?
May 5th, 2013 at 2:58 am
One of the many lesser-known studs that the New Schiano Order found and will bring the best out of.could see him as our #4 guy this year.thought it was a riot that people say ronde would beat out wright at cb.i love ronde.probly my favorite player on the team and one of the greatest cbs to ever play the game.that being said, he’s 38.lemme repeat that, he’s 38 years old. Now idk everyone else but haven’t we talked for years how ronde hasn’t lost a step mentally but his physical ability has declined in the past years? If he couldn’t beat wright out last year and only had speed to play safety, then how in hell would he be favored to play over wright…it has nothing to do with off field problems or personal preference on whether you dislike the guy.eric wright is only 27.idc if he messed up or blew 1 or 2 big plays last year.hes a proven player and likely will start week one unless banks gets a great rookie grasp on the nfl.but as joe pointed out, even mo Claiborne struggled greatly as a rookie…adding ronde for depth as a db whether corner or safety is a good move but we are no longer bound to barber, his call if he wants to come play backup.hope he does tho cuz he’ll have an excellent chance to make it two rings…
May 5th, 2013 at 3:30 am
Piratic:
Thanks for the kind words. Joe had an item Friday about assistants.
To be honest, it’s hard to tell how players are playing. For example, there’s no way to tell if linebackers are doing anything. There are no scrimmages; it’s just position drills without pads. Outside of the pass rushing and pass catching drills, it’s near impossible to tell how guys are playing from (at least) 50 yards away.
But when a defensive end sacks a coach, well, that does tend to stick out. 🙂
May 5th, 2013 at 7:57 am
I’m convinced Schiano is already deep in Gholson’s dome…I trust you will prove the doubters wrong.
May 5th, 2013 at 10:27 am
My guess is that Myron doesn’t make this team. The guy will be cut and rightfully so,
May 5th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
$15,000 an unheard of bonus for a rookie free agent? I read that the Cowboys gave $70,000 to Carr’s former college teammate, LB Brandon McGee. Now THAT is unheard of.
May 5th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Actually, I just looked it up, the guy’s name is Brandon MAGEE, not McGee.
Anyway, it’s not at all uncommon for teams to get into a bidding war with rookie free agents. I recall reading how around the 6th round or so, some guys (or their agents) are hoping not to get drafted so they can get a bigger signing bonus (Magee has already gotten more guaranteed money than ANY 2012 7th round pick) and pick their destination.
An OLineman for the Colts, Justin Anderson, pocketed $69K as a signing bonus as an undrafted free agent last season.
May 5th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
Thanks for the Magee clarification I was picturing the Miami DB lol