No KeyShawn, But Big Blue Keeps Tim....But I Want Lavarr!!!!!!

It's put up or shut up time for Mr. Auburn. From ESPN.com.

Unrestricted free agent wide receiver Tim Carter, one of the most star-crossed players in recent league history but a young veteran whose deep speed still makes him an intriguing prospect, on Friday afternoon reached an agreement to return to the New York Giants, ESPN.com has learned.

The four-year veteran, who was also in negotiations with the Tampa Bay Bucs earlier in the day, will sign a two-year contract worth $2 million. The contract includes $500,000 in upfront money and allows Carter the opportunity to earn an additional $300,000 per year in incentives.

A second-round choice in the 2002 draft, and the 46th player chosen overall that year, Carter's progress has been stymied by a number of injuries. In fact, the former Auburn star has finished three of his four seasons in the league on the injured reserve list, and has started only three games in his career.

So rare is Carter's speed, though, that he remains a prospect on whom the Giants didn't want to give up. His mere presence on the field can dictate secondary coverages because defenses have to honor his big-play potential, and the feeling is that Carter can still become a viable No. 3 wideout.

In 37 games, Carter has 49 catches for 714 yards and one touchdown. He had just 10 receptions in 2005 but his 18.6-yard average was reflective of his potential to get deep. Carter's best season was in 2003, when he had 26 catches for 309 yards.

Once again, Carter will go to camp this summer with an opportunity to win the No. 3 job behind starters Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.

The problem for Carter, 26, hasn't so much been nagging injuries, but rather disastrous ones. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his 2002 rookie season, limiting him to five games. In '03, a December concussion prematurely ended his season. And then in 2004, after only five games, he sustained a hip injury that was thought to be potentially career-ending.

Through it all, Carter has maintained the breathtaking speed that made him one of the fastest risers on NFL draft boards in 2002.

If Carter could stay on the field, the Giants would have one of the two or three most terrifying receiving corps in the NFL. As it stands now, they're very good, but with Burress, Toomer and Shockey and a healthy Carter...they would be virtually indefensible with Tiki coming out of the backfield. With Manning a year older and a solid offensive line in place, I really like our chances to make serious playoff run this year.

I'd like our chances even if we were to get Arrington and or strike gold in the draft with either a D-Tackle or a linebacker. With the improvements in the secondary, the one concern we have on defense is depth at D-line and linebackers. How do we prevent what happened last year from happening again. While it's impossible to stockpile talent in the way teams did in the 70's because of the cap, there are ways to maintain depth without breaking the bank.

That being said, I want LaVar...bad. Let him freelance and wreak havoc like he did under Marvin Lewis. I've never like Gregg Williams as a coach. He was horrible in Buffalo and anybody who can't find a place for someone like Arrington in their defense is doomed to failure. I hate these rigid coaches who don't know how to coach to their talent level.

Ernie, Tom...make it happen...please!!!