[SFREDSKIN]

Too bad Haynesworth doesn't have Carter's attitude:


Carter opts to attend minicamp to be with teammates, learn new system

After spending time in California while rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn biceps, linebacker/defensive end Andre Carter has returned to the area for the minicamp that begins Friday at Redskins Park.

Carter has not been cleared to participate in team drills, "but I wanted to be here to support my teammates and get going on all the new stuff we're going to be doing," Carter said in a phone interview Monday. "They haven't cleared me to do everything yet, so I'll just have to get a lot of mental reps and work with my position coach [linebackers coach Lou Spanos] on some of the things I'll need to do. But I wanted to be here. I felt I needed to be here."

Carter is coming off the best year of his career as a hand-down end. He was the Redskins' most productive defensive lineman in their 4-3 scheme last season.

But the Redskins are switching to a 3-4 defense, and Carter struggled in his only season as an outside linebacker while with the San Francisco 49ers. Because of Carter's previous limitations in man-to-man coverage, the Redskins are reportedly considering trading Carter, who has a no-trade clause for the length of his contract.

"It's fair to say that this is where I want to be. I want to be right here in Washington," Carter said. "I'm really just focused on finishing my rehab and working to get in the best possible position I can to prepare myself for playing for the Redskins this season."