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Summer school daze

Kenny Clark paid his dues in the off-season, taking part in the legendary workouts of Vikings receiver Cris Carter. Now the UCF senior hopes to cash in on the hard work.

By JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 29, 2000

ORLANDO -- Kenny Clark thought he was doing the right things. Why wasn't that enough?

The Central Florida wide receiver thought he was putting in the time and the effort during his grueling monthlong off-season workouts, in the gym and on the field. The senior thought he was running good routes: He was fighting off defenders at the line of scrimmage; he was breaking on the ball.

So why couldn't a certain someone acknowledge that? Was it so much to ask?

From Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl wide receiver Cris Carter? Of course it was.

"Man, he doesn't give you room to breathe," Clark said. "I thought when I did stuff right that he was going to give me a little credit. But he's there to let you know you can never be too good."

Nor would it be the last time Carter, the Vikings' 34-year-old All-Pro and noted perfectionist, would chat with Clark during those Monday through Friday summer workouts near Carter's home in Boca Raton.

Clark, 22, now knows that kind of attention to detail and effort has made him a better receiver as he begins his fifth year with the Golden Knights. Certainly better than his fourth.

"Last season wasn't one of the best seasons for me," he said. "I took those four weeks to go down there and make sure that I have a good year."

The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder from Ocala Vanguard has been seeking that breakthrough season since he arrived on campus.

Three games into his freshman year in 1996, Clark was red-shirted because of an injured hand. In '99 he led UCF in touchdown receptions with six, was third in receptions with 54 and third in receiving yards with 655, averaging 12.1 yards a catch. The only returner with more yards is fellow wideout Tyson Hinshaw, who caught 57 for 731 yards and three touchdowns.

Playing in a high-powered offense, with 3,000-yard passer Vic Penn returning, Clark hopes to become the school's next great wideout.

Because at UCF, wide receiver has become somewhat of a franchise position.

Siaha Burley was a nationally recognized wideout in 1998, as was Charles Lee in '99. The team will need a new go-to receiver to emerge, and Clark could fit the bill.

If he does, he can trace his development back to Carter's off-season workouts, which are the stuff of NFL legend.

Carter invited Minnesota's new starting quarterback, former UCF standout Daunte Culpepper, to work out along with fellow Vikings wideout Randy Moss and a host of other pro and college players.

So Culpepper invited Clark, his former high school and college teammate, to take part in four punishing weeks from the end of May to the start of June.

"I wouldn't give what I learned over this summer for any other summer of my life," Clark said. "I think it's going to help me because not too many college receivers work out with the pros."

The daily sessions began at 8 a.m. in a field behind Pope John Paul II High School and lasted for about six hours. With more than a dozen pro and a handful of college players participating, Carter led the group through speed and agility drills. They also practiced their specialties: quarterbacks threw, receivers caught, defensive backs got in the way of both.

Clark was more than nervous his first day out.

"At first I felt a little like I was the odd man out," Clark said. "But they made me feel so much like I was one of them."

Carter paid particular attention to Clark. When Clark was late once, Carter let him hear about it. When Clark was struggling during drills, the seven-time Pro Bowler dispensed advice.

"One day I wasn't bursting in and out of my routes and getting off the jams (at the line)," Clark said. "We were in the gym and I was on the treadmill and CC pulled me off to the side and showed me how to get out on a quick burst ... and it immediately worked."

Coach Mike Kruczek said Clark has the physical tools to emerge as UCF's next record-breaking receiver, but Clark has to believe.

"I think it's all a confidence level with Kenny," Kruczek said. "He has great physical ability with the speed and size, but when he drops the ball for the first time it can be tough to get him out of that funk.

"It comes down to him believing that he could do it."

Clark said his summer experience has made him believe exactly that.

"It took my confidence through the roof," he said, "where it needs to be."

- Staff writer Roger Mills contributed and information from Sports Illustrated was used in this report.

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