Position tweak a coup for Carter

CEDAR RAPIDS - It was a subtle change, but one that produced big results for Willie Carter.

When the Cedar Rapids Titans traded their all-time leading receiver Carl Sims to Billings on March 26, an opening was created. Carter, a big target at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, moved from the more stationary 'Z” position to the wing, where he could be more involved in the motion offense and make coverage reads on the fly.

'I played it sparingly, but now that I've been there full-time I'm getting better at it,” Carter said. 'Watching things that he (Sims) did well, and by Coach (Mark Stoute) getting on the board, practice, (and) helping me understand the defenses. It's just easy for me now.”

Carter and the Titans (5-2) host the Green Bay Blizzard at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.

With 14 receptions for 198 yards and four touchdowns in the past two games, Carter has doubled his season's production. The Howard University grad now leads the Titans in catches (28) and yards (342), and has vaulted into the top five of the Indoor Football League in both categories, as well as touchdowns (8).

Four times out of seven games this season, the second-year receiver has recorded at least two touchdown grabs. Last week at Bemidji, Carter tallied season highs with eight catches for 107 yards, including a 26-yard score with under a minute left that proved to be the game-winner.

'I just try to make plays whenever they're available,” Carter said. 'Because our backs were up against the wall, we weren't in that much of a rhythm in the second half. And for the game to come down to a big play like that, for our offense, that was a big boost for us.”

The performance landed Carter honorable mention offensive player of the week honors by the IFL. Teammate Demetruce McNeal was named the special teams player of the week with six kick returns for 127 yards.

Wednesday brought about some roster moves. The club signed receiver Justin Helwege and offensive lineman A.J. Harmon. To clear roster space, former Iowa receiver/kick returner Jordan Cotton and recently-acquired receiver/quarterback Willie Simmons were released.

Saturday night, the Titans host Green Bay (2-4), losers of two consecutive games. The last time these two teams played was last May, when 0-11 Green Bay defeated the Titans in Wisconsin, 59-40.

'Every time we play them, honestly, they're a tough bunch,” Carter said. 'They're well-prepared. They're a group that's going to come to play, so we have to do everything right... If we do everything we're supposed to do, we should be all right.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com