Dilfer's advice to Carr - Treasure your family

SEATTLE -- Trent Dilfer has advised David Carr on everything from where to set up his television to what kind of cereal he should eat once he's an NFL quarterback.

He's provided plenty of football advice, too.

But the biggest message from the Seattle Seahawks' quarterback to his friend from Fresno State heading into this weekend's draft: "Take care of your family."

"He told me to spend more time with my wife when I'm home, to make sure she's included in everything," said Carr, who will be the top pick by the Houston Texans on Saturday. "If your home life is stable, then the football stuff will be like high school or when you were playing in the backyard."

Carr and Dilfer never played together at Fresno State, their college careers separated by four years. Dilfer left early for the NFL in 1993 and Carr arrived in '97.

But Carr always admired Dilfer, and that was a reason he chose Fresno State.

"It was obvious Trent was his boyhood idol," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "He's not a bad role model to have when you're young. I think Trent gave David a lot of help getting through this season with all the hype and dealing with publicity and the press. Not many have lived the life David had, but Trent had. It's great when you can have a relationship like that."

The players have similarities -- both were married in college and left the Bulldogs' program projected to be among the top quarterbacks drafted. They now share the same agent. Hill did not coach Dilfer but says the two QBs share mannerisms and maturity.

Into the NFL

After his junior season, Dilfer was chosen sixth overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1994 draft. He struggled early in his career, but led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in 2001. He signed a one-year contract with Seattle last summer after Baltimore released him.

"Trent's a great guy on and off the field," Carr said. "A lot of people hear about how good a guy he is. He's taken me with this whole situation in baby steps."

Dilfer called Carr several times last week and is excited for the soon-to-be NFL rookie.

"David is going to be an excellent quarterback in the NFL," said Dilfer, who turned 30 last month, only a few days after being designated as Seattle's starter in place of Matt Hasselbeck. "He possesses all of the tools it takes to be successful. He works really hard at being a student of the game, which will ultimately help him become a fine player."