Q and A with Saskatchewan Roughrider LB Yannick Carter

With CFL training camps for the 2009 season still about 3 months away, The Tailgater went looking to talk some football to break up the winter freeze. Today we go 1-on-1 with Saskatchewan Roughrider linebacker, Yannick Carter.

The three-year pro was drafted by the Riders in the 3rd round (20th overall) in the 2007 Canadian Draft out of Wilfrid Laurier University. He was named a CIS First Team All-Star in 2006 and won a Vanier Cup in 2005.

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Troy Souster - Welcome to The Tailgater Yannick. Thanks for taking the time to join us.

Yannick Carter - No, thank you for having me on. It's a privilege and an honour being here to discuss football.

TS - Can you tell us a little bit about how your off season has been going?

YC - This year has been one of the best off seasons personally. I have a completely new outlook with my training and the opportunity that has been presented to both myself and the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an organization. We have a lot of new faces coming in this year and a great deal of potential to build off of continuing from last year. In terms of my training I have refocused my self in order to push for a bigger role within the overall grand scheme of things. So I am looking forward to seeing if my hard work pays off in the end. Fingers crossed!!!

TS - Have you kept in touch with any of the guys over the winter? What's the overall mood heading into '09?

YC - It's hard not to keep in touch with the guys. There is such a close knit group within the team so I've been shooting text messages and so forth with some of the guys, both returning and leaving. Guys like Anton, wishing him all the best in B.C. and players like Rey Williams and Lance Frazer to congratulate them on getting new contracts.

I think the overall mood heading into 2009 is a positive one. We are really looking forward to some of the new talent that the team is bringing forward. In addition, utilizing some of the talent that we already had in starting positions to fill the void from some of the past Rider talent that is being used elsewhere. We have a new D coordinator coming in and I am looking forward to what he has to bring to the table both as a person and as a coach. Coach Etch is a great guy and has tremendously talented mind when it comes to defensive philosophy.

The offense should be back and healthy so we are looking forward to seeing guys like Andy Fantuz, Neal Hughes and others back on the field leading the way. Having Durant sign back with the organization is a move that all the guys in the looker room are pleased with from what I hear so we are really looking forward to the 09 season.

TS - Obviously there's a physical side to your off season training. What type of specific drills are you doing to prepare yourself for the grind of a 20+ game season?

YC - Recently I've taken up yoga about three times a week which is new to my training. Every now and then I will throw in a hot yoga class as well. Overall since taking part in these classes I've noticed that my flexibility has increased. In addition to yoga, I have taken part in a workout program called Cross Fit, which has me in really good shape. I also do some footwork drills with a ladder, cones, tennis ball for hand-eye coordination and hurdles to keep my footwork in order. Usually, I find an indoor facility to avoid the winter's cold while doing my drills. But I am one that believes that "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" and I have stuck to my training program given to me by my strength and positioning coach Dwayne Cameron at Wilfrid Laurier. It's been the one program that focuses on a lot of total body work outs that are football oriented and has gotten me to this point.

TS - How do you prepare yourself mentally for that same grind?

YC - One way that I have recently picked up this season is reading. There is one book that I read and recommend it to all athletes. It's called Mind Gym, and it's about how the mind influences the performance of an athlete and helps them find ways to over come what ever mental road blocks might become present within the sporting world.

TS - There will be changes at linebacker in 2009. Mo Lloyd and Anton McKenzie have moved on. Sean Lucas and Rey Williams have re-signed. What do you have to do to keep your name in the mix for a position?

YC - You know, Mo and Anton were a great linebacker set. It's unfortunate to see them leave, and even more unfortunate not being able to see them play together. Having said that, as a teammate I have all the confidence in both Sean and Rey. They are tremendous athletes and know how to play the game and a higher level. In order to keep my name in the mix, I have to continue to work hard and prove my worth on special teams and hope that I will get the chance to prove what I can do. Special teams is an important part of the game here in the CFL and it's part of the game that I take pride in and want nothing more than to excel at. If it helps me land a spot on defense... it's just that much better. But for now, I will continue to work hard at being a force on special teams and work my way up from there.

TS - What kind of an adjustment in philosophy will there be from Coach Hall to Coach Etcheverry?

YC - I'm not too sure what to expect with Coach Etch. I know that he has a great mind for the game and is a perfectionist. Every detail matters, no matter how small or big. He is a firm believer in the idea that the small things matter and can have a profound impact on the general outcome of any given play or game. What I do know is that last year he had us doing these pursuit/stamina drills, and now that he is the D-coordinator I can only imagine that it's going to become a bigger part of practice so I am going to have to spend some more time on the treadmill getting my stamina up. (laughs)

TS - What's a typical Game Day in the life of Yannick Carter?

YC - First, I like to wake up and make my self a nice breakfast, get a good meal in before the game. Then, I will go back to bed, lay down and watch some film while relaxing on our upcoming opponent. During this time I will be taking in enough fluids to make sure I am hydrated enough for the game.

The one thing I hate about game day is sitting around waiting, so I will head over to the stadium early and relax a bit there, listen to some music while getting ready. I always head out for my own individual pregame warm up which I got from my years of playing at WLU under Coach Cam's strength and conditioning progam. From there, getting into the team activities whether it be team prayer, warm up, chapel and get the game started in front of the best fans in the CFL!!!

TS - Looking back to November 25, 2007. What's the memory you will treasure most from your Grey Cup experience?

YC - Wow, there are so many to pick from. But, by far the best was being able to look up in the stands before, during and after the game and seeing a sea of green. Knowing that we have the following of the province of Saskatchewan all the way out east to help us bring home the cup to the fans that deserve it the most was something I would never forget. Coming back home to -20 degrees weather and having over 12,000 people sitting there all bundled up to welcome us home.... it was just an amazing experience which I will never be able to forget.

TS - I also had the pleasure of being there that day with some great friends and well.....it's an experience as a fan that I will never forget. I might have even teared up (laughs).

TS - Do you keep the Grey Cup Hardware out for everyone to see or does it only come out for special occasions?

YC - (laughs) It only comes out on special occasions. It's something that I will cherish forever and one day hope to have enough that I can pass them down to my kids, if I ever have some (laughs), but it's tucked away in a safe to make sure nothing happens to it.

TS - Tell us something we might not know about Yannick Carter.

YC - (laughs) Every time I am asked that question I have to laugh. Upon first glance you would never guess that I am a huge Nascar fan. I get made fun of a lot about it but there is something about the sport that just gets to me. Watching Dale Earnhardt beatin and bangin at Dover, rim ridin at Daytona like The King once did is something I enjoy regardless of how boring others might find it.

TS - (laughs) Really? Nascar? Man, I have some friends in Regina that you really need to hook up with. I'm sure they would even have you over on a race day so you can sit in their hot tub and watch some crashin and bangin (laughs).

TS - OK. Let's switch gears a little here.........What's your favorite road city to play in?

YC - (laughs) Man, I don't know if I can pick one. I love playing road games and seeing thousands of people with long faces after a win. But if I had to pick one I would have to pick between B.C. It is a huge rivalry and has so much more implication than just a win or a loss. It's about bragging rights and so much more knowing that you are going to be playing them again pretty much the very next day, we play them so often. The fans get into it... it just makes it such an exciting game to be part of playing in B.C.

TS - How often do you remind U of S Huskie Alumni Gene Makowsky, about your Wilfrid Laurier Vanier Cup title over the U of S in 2005?

YC - (laughs) I never do it... well at least not to his face. Gene is a great guy, funny, locker room leader and I have to give him the respect he deserves as a vet. Plus, I am sure he has accomplished way more than me being part of a Vanier Cup team (laughs). BUT, on the other hand, some of the OUA guys that I played against... they get an ear full of chat from me on a regular basis. The McKoys, Fantuz, Palmers.... oh believe you me, they know all about the Vanier Cup in 05 (laughs).

TS - (laughs) Is there anything you remember specifically about that game, other than the last second field goal?

YC - I remember so much of that game. There were so many highs and lows of that game. There was the 3rd and 15 catch that Dante Luciani made, the off the opponent shoulder grab by Bryon Hickey to extend the drive, Jesse Alexander, Dave Montoya and Brandon Keks stopping the run game... oh and that long 70 plus run for the touchdown they got to put them ahead late in the game because some guy (that being me) messed up and lost contain. The Laurier fans rushing the field after it was all done... yeah there is so much I remember. It was such a special moment I can probably recall play by play of that game off the top of my head.

TS - If you were talking to someone who knew absolutely nothing about The Rider Nation, how would you describe it?

YC - Crazy... come see it for your self. Nothing I say can describes the magnitude of the following you will experience in Rider nation.

TS - Has anyone from your family been out to experience a game day at Mosaic Stadium?

YC - I had my girlfriend and her family come out to the game, season opener last year, it was a great experience from them seeing the way Mosaic Stadium gives support come game day. They felt like it was no other.

TS - Finish this sentence. The funniest thing I've ever seen happen during a CFL game was...........

YC - .....lady blind folded during a commercial break in one of them "find the billboard competitions", running full speed into the sideline boards in Toronto... PRICELESS!!! Took the edge off of the game and added some comedic relief. I think they might have awarded her the prize because they felt bad (laughs). She deserved it though, what a champ (laughs).

TS - If you weren't a pro football player, what other career would you be pursuing?

YC - Nascar (laughs), no all joking aside... I would do home renovations. Love working hands on and every job site there is something new and different. Never gets boring and there is a great sense of accomplishment seeing the final product after what it once was before.

TS - Football players are fun loving guys. It's a long season with the same group. Whose the Rider jokers keeping things loose?

YC - Adarius Bowman... that man is something else. Just his presentation of his jokes is too much, has you rolling every time he gets going.

TS - Whose the worst or best trash talker in the CFL?

YC - (laughs) That's simple... myself. I don't know what to say, when to say or even why I say the stuff I do. Just don't have it in me I guess. Going to have to work on that this off season (laughs), do you have any pointers for me?

As for the best there are a few out there... I won't mention any names but they know who they are.

TS - (laughs) You won't get any good tips from me. My 6 year-old out trashes me.

TS – What artists are on your iPod?

YC - Jah Cure, Bascom X, Sizzla, Munga, 112, T-pain, Maroon 5, Lenny Williams.... I know I am all over the place. Got to keep things interesting. Don't want to fall a sleep while listening. If you have any good songs feel free to suggest a few.

TS - Well, I have to say that after watching Lenny Kravitz LIVE at the Grey Cup in Toronto, I added a few more of his to my collection.

TS - If you could have a sit down meal with a celebrity (other than yourself), who would it be?

YC - Rider Nation, they are known world wide as the best fans, why not sit down with them and get to know how they've come to love and support their team like no other. They are the true celebs.

TS - Cool. You like wings? (laughs)

YC - Love them... St Louis wings out in my home town area has the best Cajun style wings you will ever have in your entire life. If I come back looking like a left tackle you know who to blame for it now, I'm addicted (laughs).

TS - OK....Scott Shultz blows a tire in pre-game player intros and he can't lead "The Crunk" (is it still called that?) at center field. Who leads it and why?

YC - LUKE MULLINDER... if there is one man on our team that gets into game mode and can get a team going its that man. He has this fire in his eyes sometimes that makes me walk out of the stadium and watch the game on tv where you know you are safe AND I AM ON HIS TEAM (laughs)... man just transforms when it's game time.

TS - Renovate Mosaic or build a new stadium?

YC - Donate the money to me, I need a new house and rims for my car... (laughs), I say renovate. I think the stadium has so much history to it. Tearing it down you will lose a lot of that. Why not keep that history and just build on to it using the past excellence as the foundation for where you want to be in the future.

TS - Hey Yannick. Thanks for taking the time to do this with us. It's much appreciated. Best of luck this upcoming year and see you at Mosaic Stadium.

YC - Once again, thank you... I am looking forward to getting back out there and just getting things started, hopefully bringing the cup back to Saskatchewan.

(Yannick Carter and yours truly post 2008 Season Opener)