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Injuries will give Jarrett a chance
AP File Photo
Dwayne Jarrett will be back in action on Sunday for the Panthers.
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Published: October 10, 2008
CHARLOTTE - When Dwayne Jarrett left Southern California with a collection of school receiving records, few would have imagined that his biggest honor early in his second NFL season would be getting voted player of the week -- of the Carolina Panthers scout team.
But the way Jarrett acted and performed in simulating the opposition in practice last week -- before spending his third straight game on the inactive list -- was a milestone in his rocky maturation process.
"To watch him run and participate and not sulk was one of the most satisfying things to me," quarterback Jake Delhomme said.
Now, Jarrett will finally be on the field for more than just practice. With D.J. Hackett (knee) to miss Sunday's game at Tampa Bay and with kick returner and backup receiver Ryne Robinson (knee) on injured reserve this week, Jarrett will get a uniform for only the 10th time in 22 games.
"It's unfortunate it took somebody getting hurt for me to be active, but at the same time it's an opportunity," Jarrett said. "And I'm going to represent this receiving crew to the best of my ability and try to help this team win."
At 6-4 and strong with good hands, Jarrett was projected to be a starting NFL possession receiver. After setting the Pac-10 career record with 41 touchdown catches in three seasons, he turned pro at age 20.
He slipped into the second round of the 2007 draft, and the Panther snatched him up. So convinced he was ready to immediately start opposite Steve Smith, they released Keyshawn Johnson three days later.
But Jarrett's rookie year was a disaster. He struggled to learn the playbook. He had trouble getting free from defensive backs off the line of scrimmage.
His work ethic was questioned, too. Smith embarrassed him after practice one day by telling him to watch film instead of talking to reporters.
Jarrett was inactive in nine of 16 games last season and caught six passes. Then he topped it off in March by getting arrested -- and later pleading guilty -- to driving while impaired.
"I came in just scratching 21, so coming in from college to the NFL is definitely two different lifestyles," Jarrett said. "Playing wasn't, but the learning and the off-the-field stuff was. It came slowly but gradually, and I just kept working on it."
Teammates say they started to see a difference in Jarrett in offseason workouts. Veteran receiver Muhsin Muhammad -- who signed in February -- constantly challenged him.
When Smith was suspended for the first two regular-season games, Jarrett got to play. He made a key 11-yard catch on Carolina's game-winning touchdown drive in the opener at San Diego.
"He came in (last year), and I don't think mentally he was ready for what the NFL presented to him," cornerback Ken Lucas said. "This second year he came in and conducted himself like a seasoned veteran."
But when Smith returned, Jarrett was back as the No. 4 receiver -- and on the inactive list. It seemed that all the work in the offseason had not paid off.
The old Jarrett might have started to slack off. But his teammates watched him continue to work hard -- even on the scout team -- and honored him for his effort last week.
"I didn't get my full opportunity, but I kept working hard," Jarrett said. "And the coaches noticed it, the players (too)."
With Hackett out indefinitely, Jarrett becomes the No. 3 receiver behind Smith and Muhammad. And with eight catches as a pro so far, Jarrett is getting another chance to prove he's not an NFL bust.
"Let's be honest, he was 20 years old when we drafted him," Delhomme said. "He was a second-round pick, I'm sure he got a good bit of money.... You go to USC, you go three years, they win the national championship.
"You hit bumps in the road. He didn't play last year, he had a DWI, but you learn. And he has learned from it."
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