Post by prossman on Feb 21, 2009 6:39:16 GMT -7
Roster Rundown
Opportunity Could Knock This Time For LB Carpenter
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Mickey Spagnola - Email
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
February 20, 2009 5:19 PM Change Font Size A A A A
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Name: Bobby Carpenter
Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6-2, 250
Experience: Three seasons
College: Ohio State
Key stat: That would be one, as in just one start in 42 NFL games. That's not exactly what you are looking for in a first-round pick after three years, but again, part of this might be Carpenter's fault for not being productive enough to break into the starting lineup, and part the Cowboys' fault for selecting a player who's had problems finding a suitable position on the 3-4 defense.
Contract Status: Signed through 2010.
2008 Impact: Proved to be a decent special teams player, finishing sixth on the team with nine tackles and one recovered fumble in 13 games played. But really was little factor on the defense, registering only five tackles in highly-limited play. Was the backup to Zach Thomas at the weak inside backer spot on the 3-4, and did not beat out Kevin Burnett as the inside backer on the nickel defense.
Where He Fits: Might just be now or never if Carpenter is going to break into the starting lineup. Thomas becomes an unrestricted free agent next week and chances are the Cowboys are going to allow him to explore his market value. If the team's second-leading tackler does not return and the Cowboys are unable to re-sign Burnett, they will have a huge opening on the base defense next to Bradie James - seemingly the position for which Carpenter is best suited on a 3-4 defense, and where he did gain some experience there in 2008 working as Thomas' backup. But the club likely will hedge its bet there, either drafting another capable inside backer or signing one in free agency to create some competition for the starting job.
Writers' Analysis
Mickey Spagnola: Not sure Carpenter ever was suited to play in a 3-4 defense. He's not tall enough or powerful enough to handle the strong outside linebacker spot where Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer play and he really was never an inside backer at Ohio State. Plus, he's not quick enough to be a backup behind DeMarcus Ware at the pass-rushing outside spot. To me, he's more of a weak-side backer in a 4-3 defense, where he can use his ability to run while being somewhat protected from offensive linemen getting on him.
Nick Eatman: While it would be real easy to place the "bust" tag on Carpenter, it still seems too early for that. Clearly he hasn't lived up to first-round expectations in three years, but that's not entirely his fault. Now it certainly didn't help when his owner called him a "finesse linebacker" on "Hard Knocks" last summer. But if the Cowboys would simply let Carpenter stay in one position and tell him to just go play football and not look over his shoulder, I think we'd start to see the player the Cowboys were hoping for. As long as they don't re-sign Burnett and Thomas, then Carpenter should be in that top-three mix at inside linebacker, meaning either he starts or plays in the dime package. Related Content: Roster
Opportunity Could Knock This Time For LB Carpenter
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Mickey Spagnola - Email
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
February 20, 2009 5:19 PM Change Font Size A A A A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Bobby Carpenter
Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6-2, 250
Experience: Three seasons
College: Ohio State
Key stat: That would be one, as in just one start in 42 NFL games. That's not exactly what you are looking for in a first-round pick after three years, but again, part of this might be Carpenter's fault for not being productive enough to break into the starting lineup, and part the Cowboys' fault for selecting a player who's had problems finding a suitable position on the 3-4 defense.
Contract Status: Signed through 2010.
2008 Impact: Proved to be a decent special teams player, finishing sixth on the team with nine tackles and one recovered fumble in 13 games played. But really was little factor on the defense, registering only five tackles in highly-limited play. Was the backup to Zach Thomas at the weak inside backer spot on the 3-4, and did not beat out Kevin Burnett as the inside backer on the nickel defense.
Where He Fits: Might just be now or never if Carpenter is going to break into the starting lineup. Thomas becomes an unrestricted free agent next week and chances are the Cowboys are going to allow him to explore his market value. If the team's second-leading tackler does not return and the Cowboys are unable to re-sign Burnett, they will have a huge opening on the base defense next to Bradie James - seemingly the position for which Carpenter is best suited on a 3-4 defense, and where he did gain some experience there in 2008 working as Thomas' backup. But the club likely will hedge its bet there, either drafting another capable inside backer or signing one in free agency to create some competition for the starting job.
Writers' Analysis
Mickey Spagnola: Not sure Carpenter ever was suited to play in a 3-4 defense. He's not tall enough or powerful enough to handle the strong outside linebacker spot where Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer play and he really was never an inside backer at Ohio State. Plus, he's not quick enough to be a backup behind DeMarcus Ware at the pass-rushing outside spot. To me, he's more of a weak-side backer in a 4-3 defense, where he can use his ability to run while being somewhat protected from offensive linemen getting on him.
Nick Eatman: While it would be real easy to place the "bust" tag on Carpenter, it still seems too early for that. Clearly he hasn't lived up to first-round expectations in three years, but that's not entirely his fault. Now it certainly didn't help when his owner called him a "finesse linebacker" on "Hard Knocks" last summer. But if the Cowboys would simply let Carpenter stay in one position and tell him to just go play football and not look over his shoulder, I think we'd start to see the player the Cowboys were hoping for. As long as they don't re-sign Burnett and Thomas, then Carpenter should be in that top-three mix at inside linebacker, meaning either he starts or plays in the dime package. Related Content: Roster