Indoor Football League: Roughnecks get season going in Abilene

Quincy Carter.

For football fans in West Texas, that name carries weight.

And now that Carter is set to make his first regular-season start as the quarterback of the Abilene Ruff Riders against Odessa at 7 p.m. today at the Taylor County Expo Center, Roughnecks head coach Chris Williams has been paying close attention to the athlete behind the big name.

"I know what Quincy can do," Williams said. "If you allow Quincy Carter to get going, you're certainly going to have some issues."

Carter certainly has an impressive resume.

The former University of Georgia quarterback was drafted by Dallas in 2001, and he spent three seasons with the Cowboys and one with the New York Jets.

He also has played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings of arenafootball2 league, and the Kansas City Brigade of the Arena Football League.

Carter's talent is obvious.

But he didn't overwhelm Odessa in Abilene's 36-33 win in an exhibition game on March 30 at the Ector County Coliseum.

Instead, Carter looked overmatched.

"Top to bottom, we've got the best four defensive backs in the league, in my opinion," Williams said. "With their backgrounds, they all have got next-level ability."

Odessa's quartet - Darren Barnett, Michael Hinton, Brandon Douglas and Alex Ross-limited Carter to 3-of-12 passing for 22 yards. Carter also fumbled twice and threw an ill-advised pass into tight coverage that Hinton intercepted.

But the Odessa defensive backs will have an even tougher task this week.

Starting defensive linemen Elex Reed and Ahmad Childress will miss the game with minor injuries, which might mean that Carter will have more time to throw.

Jeremiah Turner and Joshua Chambliss, who will replace Reed and Childress, will try to keep Carter in check. To help Turner and Chambliss, Hinton and company will have to live up to their billing tonight.

"It's going to be important for those guys to stay in coverage a little longer this week," Williams said. "We have to contain Quincy, but we also have to keep track of the running game."

Abilene ran for 117 yards on 14 carries behind running back Carlos Alsup, who picked up 78 yards on six carries and broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run in the first half.

With Reed and Childress out of action this week, Odessa has spent its time focusing on stopping the run.

"When you have Quincy Carter on the field, that makes you focus on the passing game, which makes you get caught sleeping in the running game," Williams said.

Odessa better stay awake this week because the outcome counts this week.