'He's just misunderstood': A catchphrase for Riders receiver Duron Carter

With the wind unrelenting the first few days of training camp in Saskatoon, it has been difficult to tell exactly what the Roughriders possess in terms of quarterbacking and receiving.

Duron Carter is not a fan of the Saskatchewan breeze.

"Going out there with all this wind, man, that's the worst — when you're running downfield 40 to 50 yards and you see the ball coming and all of a sudden it just goes left," Carter said after one morning session this week. 

On paper, the Roughriders' receiving corps should be an area of strength — the biggest problem will be who to cut.

Naaman Roosevelt was on a record pace until he got hurt last year. Throw in dependable veteran Rob Bagg, plus Ricky Collins and Caleb Holley, who have made some spectacular catches so far in camp.

Josh Stanford and Jenson Stoshak look like keepers, and local draft pick Mitch Picton has been described as smooth by the head coach.

Number 89, however, has been drawing the most attention from coaches and fans, especially from a curiosity factor alone.

Duron Carter is a player with unquestionable talent but he also carries a reputation of not always playing nice with teammates.

Carter is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter, but unlike Dad — who played 16 years in the NFL — Duron has not been able to latch on with the big league.

In three years in the CFL, the six-foot-five receiver has averaged close to 1,000 yards a season.

His off-field baggage has been his undoing.

Carter was cut by the Alouettes last season for getting into scraps with teammates and suspended and fined for intentionally knocking down an opposing head coach.

He put Ottawa's Rick Campbell on his can after scoring a touchdown in a game last June.

In the land of second chances, Saskatchewan signed Carter last January in hopes he will leave the baggage at home and become the player they feel he can be.

"The only time I've seen Duron is when we play games. He certainly shows up there," said Riders boss Chris Jones, who has no history with Carter other than coaching against him.

So far at Riders camp, Carter has had his impressive moments, but he won't ever be confused for the hardest working player.

He apparently likes to keep it loose.

"I always try to see the brighter side of things," said Carter, who admits he's not the biggest fan of training camps.

"My legs are hurting just like everybody else. I try to keep a smile on my face.  

"Once you start getting down in the dumps then you don't want to be here, now you're looking bad on film. It's just a slippery slope. I always try to make some jokes, keep a smile on my face and not think about the hurt."

But it's not Carter's first rodeo — or, in this case, training camp.

During one-on-one sessions in Saskatoon, Carter confesses he intentionally tries to line himself up with veteran Kevin Glenn, rather than a quarterback who is not quite as seasoned.

"I do like going with Kevin a lot. He knows me and I know him, the chemistry there is really good and I like making good completions."

Glenn has Carter's back too, defending the receiver's so-called reputation.

"He's misunderstood, I've said that before how I feel about him," said Glenn, who calls receivers prima donnas anyway.

"I think people want to categorize him as 'that guy on the field,' but that's not really him. That's Duron Carter the football player. Sometimes he's misunderstood."

There is no misunderstanding Carter's ability, and the Riders are hoping he uses it to full advantage and leaves the other stuff on the shelf.

The Roughriders have made enough national headlines the last two years.