Published: March 20, 2008 10:26 pm            

BILLS: Take Raiders’ Carr for a test drive

Restricted free agent visits One Bills Drive on Thursday

ORCHARD PARK — The Buffalo Bills hosted restricted free agent cornerback Chris Carr of the Oakland Raiders on Thursday.

Carr, 24, made it sound perfectly clear he’s ready to move on.

“Personally, I wanted to get out of Oakland. I just want a change and a shot to go somewhere else and prove that I can play,” he said. “I’m possibly a starting corner or possibly a starting nickelback.”

Carr, who’s entering his fourth season, has also returned kicks with the Raiders. He’s served mainly as a sub-package defensive back.

The Reno, Nevada native has played in 48 games with four starts to his credit. Last season, as a subpackage corner, Carr had 28 tackles and a pass breakup. His only career interception was a big one, as he returned it 100 yards for a touchdown against Pittsburgh in the 2006 season.

“I think my natural position is cornerback and nickel back,” Carr. “I think I can do a lot of different things. I think I play all those positions well, but I think my most natural position is nickel back and cornerback. That’s where I feel most comfortable.”

According to the Bills’ official Web site, www.buffalobills.com, Carr was tendered a qualifying offer by the Raiders, meaning that Oakland has seven days to match any offer Carr might receive from another NFL club. However, being a former undrafted college player Oakland would be due no compensation from another NFL team if the Raiders chose not to match another club’s offer sheet.

Carr, 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, met with Bills coach Dick Jauron and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell during his visit.

“Coach Jauron was pretty straightforward. I liked him a lot,” Carr said. “I met with the defensive coordinator for a while and I like the scheme. They play some man-to-man and some Tampa-2 coverage. Out in Oakland I played man-to-man pretty much every single play. But I like this scheme where they mix up some cover-two. Perry said he looks at his personnel and I structure my defense around the personnel that I have. I think that’s an intelligent thing to do as a coach. It’s been a great trip thus far.”

Carr currently has no other free agent visits scheduled.

        

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