The Case for Brandon Carr

CowboyJ70

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This is a pretty interesting situation to me. I may not have everything completely right with all the new PS rules this year, but it looks like an absolute steal for Cowboys if it works out the way it's looking.

This situation breaks out into two parts and is also full of speculation on my part, but we'll see.

Part One: Carr as a Player
Carr seems to have played pretty well as a safety last year, but I think we know he won't necessarily be a game changer, but if what Fish is saying holds true, then the risk is so low that it doesn't matter. If Carr is agreeing to be a PS player, then he doesn't even take up a roster spot. This year there are allowances for 2 players to be brought up from the PS to the team to play each week, then moved back down. This essentially gives us another viable option to put out there without it even costing us a roster spot. I do find it shocking the Carr would agree to this, but it gives us the option on game day to put him in. Another bonus is his locker room presence and his mentoring ability without a roster spot being used or any significant money. If this comes to pass, it's a big win.

Part Two: How it relates to Earl Thomas
If the agreement is in place where Carr somehow agrees to be a PS player for Dallas, then it is also obvious that the staff would pick Carr's brain for a genuine view of the Earl Thomas situation. Carr is well regarded as an honest and stand up guy and would give his true opinion of the events. To a point that if Carr gives the ok, then I think Dallas would also make that move. We have heard enough stories that the "team" wanted Earl gone, but we also know that the team is made up of individuals. Regardless of what the overall vote was, I'd like the FO to hear Carr's take on the situation. If Earl is a bad as has been reported, then I'm sure Carr would back that up and we'd say no to Earl. On the other hand, if Carr provides enough context and details to make Dallas ok with it, then I'd trust Carr's opinion as he was close to the situation.

TL;DR version. We may end up with both of them, and that would be great!
I agree. Nice post.
 

Echo9

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I guess we will find today if that 'Carr to PS' story Fish mentioned is true.
 

Kaiser

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When did Carr become a safety?

Last year he played outside CB, slot and Safety. A big part of this is that our new scheme has the safeties playing deep to cover plays in front of them, so it isn't the same as plugging Carr into the role Heath had last year.

Carr was very solid last year on a top five defense, but the Ravens declined his option because they were slotted to have 38 Million in cap space slotted to three other DBs. From what you read, Carr would be starting in Baltimore if ET had exited earlier.
 

Kaiser

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This is a pretty interesting situation to me. I may not have everything completely right with all the new PS rules this year, but it looks like an absolute steal for Cowboys if it works out the way it's looking.

Great post. Carr lives in Dallas so his visit may have just been a gossip session on ET, but he also could be our starting safety by week 2 or 3. I'm going to wait and see on the PS thing that might just be a way to get him on contract and into the position meetings early so he can acclimate quicker.
 

xwalker

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I like the option of Brandon Carr at Safety over Earl Thomas from what we know right now. Some points in Carr’s favor –

1 – the Dallas scheme now plays deep safeties that are now closer to the CB position than the interchangeable SS/FS style the old scheme featured.

2 – Carr has always been a team leader while ET left the Ravens under ehem…..very unfavorable circumstances.

3 – Carr is very dependable, he has played 192 of 192 games in his 11 seasons. Thomas has had major injuries and hasn’t started all 16 games in five years. Carr is 34 but Dallas once thought Terrence Newman was washed up at that age and he started for another six seasons in the NFL.

4 – Carr made 6 Million for each of the last three years and would likely take less than that now on a deal that was mostly incentives. If ET chased Garrett into the tunnel to ask him to sign him, only to take the highest bid in Baltimore, it doesn’t make me think he will back off high contract demands. ET is clearly about taking the most money. We have the money, but that isn’t really the personality this coaching staff wants.

5 – ET’s play dropped off last year and plenty of CBs have extended their careers moving to Safety like Carr would in this move.

6 – Carr already played some safety last season and Darryl Worley can play safety early in the season, I don’t worry about either Carr or ET being able to step into the lineup after a game or two.

It's a done deal now...
 

BBGTYCOON

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The narrative that Earl Thomas’ play has declined to a significant degree is just as wrong. He graded as PFF’s #12 overall S and within top 3 for coverage last year. Give me ET all day over Carr. For one year, I simply don’t care if anyone in the locker room likes him. I want a true S who can play and create turnovers.
:clap:
 

GroundZero1970

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Cowboys like to have "sponsors" on the team for trouble players...could Carr be that guy for E.T?
 

Kaiser

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I think too many people think we are still playing the basic Rod defense and are basing all of their views on it.

Also the Tyrone Crawford effect of being fine with a guy at the start of a big contract and then hating him when he is overpaid at the end.

I really think Carr is going to be a good pickup and prove some of the posts here wrong.
 

Praxit

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...my case for Brandon Carr:
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beware_d-ware

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I don't see Thompson as being the guy you want starting at safety at all. Look at his athletic profile.

Carr's 34 years old, but he's still probably Thompson's equal as an athlete and is a far more seasoned player.
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