With more than a dozen rookies on the team, Tour'e Carter is just the player the Utah Blaze needed on their roster. Carter (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) won an ArenaBowl ring with the Colorado Crush in 2005, and his San Jose SaberCats finished second to the Philadelphia Soul in the 2008 ArenaBowl. Carter is entering his sixth season in the league, and his experience makes him not only a valuable player, but having him is like having an extra coach on the field. "He knows the game. He's a calming influence and he doesn't get nervous," Utah Blaze head coach Ernesto Purnsley said about Carter. "He doesn't feel the pressure and is always ready for the challenge." Although he's a seasoned veteran now, Carter, a Cleveland native, admits it took him time to learn the game. "I have played behind some of the best of them (defensive backs) and I always picked their brains," he said. "It took me two years to really get savvy of the Arena game. But now I'm comfortable on the field." Entering the season, Carter, who also played for the Austin Wranglers, had 46 career tackles, six pass break-ups and an interception. In Utah's season-opening loss to the Spokane Shock last week, he recorded a team-high six tackles. Carter, who played collegiately at Ashland where he was a Div. II All-American, is now trying to use his experience to help his teammates. "It's hard to teach savvy. You have to play to get it. I am trying to be a leader with my play and sometimes vocally," he said. "I help everyone across the board because I am a student of the game and I pretty much know every position. I try to give my input." The Blaze (0-1) will look to pick up their first win of the season when they host the Alabama Vipers on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the E Center. Fans can get the best available seat in the house for just $10. Single-game tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com. Group and season tickets are also available by calling 888-99BLAZE or information can be found at www.utblaze.com.
