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The Minnesota Vikings claimed the troubled the wide receiver off waivers
on September 4, 1990 for the modest price of $100. Stuck behind Hassan Jones and resident star receiver, Anthony Carter (no
relation), Carter didn't see very many passes come his way during his first season in Minnesota. He did gain a measure of
revenge against his former team however, catching six passes for a 151 yards, including a 78 yard TD, in a Monday Night contest
at Philadelphia on October 15. Carter finished the 1990 campaign with 27 receptions for 413 yards and 3 TDs.
In 1991
Carter stepped forward as Minnesota's top pass catcher. He led the team with 72 receptions, 962 yards and 5 TD catches. The
winds of change were blowing in Minnesota, after a second straight disappointing season head coach Jerry Burns was fired.
Stanford head coach Dennis Green was named as his replacement on January 10, 1992 and began a house cleaning process. "The
New Sheriff in Town" released stalwarts RB Herschel Walker and QB Wade Wilson and traded DT Keith Millard to Seattle.
The
Vikings returned to NFL prominence in 1992, posting an 11-5 record and capturing their first NFC Central Division title since
1989. With Rich Gannon and Sean Salisbury playing musical chairs at QB, Carter remained the team's primary aerial weapon -
leading the team with 53 receptions, 681 yards and 6 TDs despite missing the final four games with a broken collar bone. Carter
returned for the playoffs, but the Vikings were defeated by the defending world champion Washington Redskins 24-7
in the Wildcard round.
In 1993 veteran QB Jim McMahon acted as the team's primary signal caller and Carter had a breakout
season. He posted career highs in receptions - 86 - and yards - 1,071 - while catching 9 TDs - all team highs - and
appeared in his first Pro Bowl. The Vikings finished the season 9-7, good enough for a playoff berth, but fell 17-10 to the
New York Giants in the Wildcard round.
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