Dan Carpenter profiled in the Miami Herald
This whole thing has to be a little surreal for Dan Carpenter. There probably a few times when he thought that missed kick against Wofford was the last big moment in his football career. Not quite.
From The Miami Herald:
''I'm probably still in the pinch-me phase,'' Carpenter admitted Tuesday as he walked off the practice field and toward an NFL career that begins for real in 11 days. ``I think it'll sink in once the regular season starts and the Jets come to town.''
Many Dolfans, concerned about swapping proof for potential, were worried coach Tony Sparano and the new management had made a risky choice.
''We were shocked, too,'' Carpenter's mother, Diane, said Tuesday. ``We're still not believing it. It still does not feel real to me.''
Starting about the middle of his junior year, I thought Dan had a shot at making the NFL. Then it became apparent that he would be a legitimate pro after the Dolphins cut Feely. After a great preseason (he hit 4 FGs in a game against Jacksonville), I was definite he wouldn't only be a decent pro but an amazing fantasy football kicker. Then former Kaimin sports editor Amber Kuehn stole my sleeper pick in 5th(!!) round. Damn you.
