Carter's starting spot might not be secure

[RS12]

Asked about Carter's camp, Garrett was lukewarm. In the last two practices Carter took turns in pass-rush drills as an outside rusher. He's also been practicing on a lot of the special teams' units.

"Bruce has done some good things," Garrett said. "I think Bruce like the other guys needs to be a consistent player day in and day out. I think he is getting more comfortable in the scheme and he is certainly in the mix of it. He has got a lot of ability. He's got a lot of strengths. We have been using him as a rusher a bit more. He does that well. Again, you try to figure what the guys do well and who the best ones are and put them out there and give them a chance to do what they do best. Be good at things that happen a lot in games. It's our job to make sure to give them a chance to do those things."

A year ago, Carter was viewed as a foundational piece in the Cowboys' transition to the 4-3 scheme. This year he might be a reserve.

"There are a lot of ways to do this and we've just got to figure out who the best three guys are and who deserves the playing time," Garrett said. "We'll make those decisions as we go."

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4731755/carters-starting-spot-might-not-be-secure

 

[RS12]

With the lack of talent on defense and Carter might not start? Sounds like he just passed BUS and is quickly approaching T.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I'd trade him now while he still might have some value. Maybe someone will give a 4th round pick for his potential.

Then just hope Rolando McClain plays like the LBer he was drafted to be, and hope that Sean Lee can play more than 5.3 games per year. Plan for next year.

 

[Teague31]

Whoever it was that thought he was the perfect WLB in the Tampa 2 should be fired.

 

[Teague31]

I'd trade him now while he still might have some value. Maybe someone will give a 4th round pick for his potential.

Then just hope Rolando McClain plays like the LBer he was drafted to be, and hope that Sean Lee can play more than 5.3 games per year. Plan for next year.

If McClain hits and we can play Lee at WLB it would be huge

 

[xwalker]

With the lack of talent on defense and Carter might not start? Sounds like he just passed BUS and is quickly approaching T.

If McClain stays motivated to play football, that makes Durant available to replace Carter if Carter doesn't play well.

 

[xwalker]

Whoever it was that thought he was the perfect WLB in the Tampa 2 should be fired.

Carter's issues go beyond the scheme. Generally, 3-4 ILBs have to take on more blocks than 4-3 OLBs. He did a good job of shedding blocks in the 3-4. He had problems shedding blocks last year. Shedding a block is the same regardless of scheme.

If coverage were his only issue, then I could see blaming the scheme, but it's not the only issue.

 

[Galian Beast]

We really just need to start over on defense.

Sean Lee is a great player who can't stay healthy, and thus can not be depended on.
Claiborne is a borderline bust, and at best is a player with potential who can't stay healthy.
Bruce Carter is approaching complete bust status.
Brandon Carr is the 2nd highest paid corner in the league... and probably isn't even a top 12 corner...

These are essentially the cornerstones of our defense... It's time to blow this defense up in the offseason and start over. We're basically already there.

The funny thing is if you look on offense, we actually did blow the offense up for the most part. Outside of Witten and Romo, who are the oldest cowboys on the team... Doug Free on the offensive line (probably gets replaced next year, then it'll be Smith), Murray among the RBs (who will also likely be gone next year). Dez among the WRs who is only 25.

It'll be interesting to see whether or not guys like Melton can properly contribute to this team. It would be nice to build off Melton and Lawrence.

 

[xwalker]

We really just need to start over on defense.

Sean Lee is a great player who can't stay healthy, and thus can not be depended on.
Claiborne is a borderline bust, and at best is a player with potential who can't stay healthy.
Bruce Carter is approaching complete bust status.
Brandon Carr is the 2nd highest paid corner in the league... and probably isn't even a top 12 corner...

These are essentially the cornerstones of our defense... It's time to blow this defense up in the offseason and start over. We're basically already there.

The funny thing is if you look on offense, we actually did blow the offense up for the most part. Outside of Witten and Romo, who are the oldest cowboys on the team... Doug Free on the offensive line (probably gets replaced next year, then it'll be Smith), Murray among the RBs (who will also likely be gone next year). Dez among the WRs who is only 25.

It'll be interesting to see whether or not guys like Melton can properly contribute to this team. It would be nice to build off Melton and Lawrence.

If Lee and/or Carr were cut, you could get pretty good free agents with their base salaries.

 

[Bullflop]

JG didn't sound like what he said was a ringing endorsement but we're so desperate for linebackers -- guess he'll hafta do.

 

[Falcon554]

If McClain hits and we can play Lee at WLB it would be huge

you think Lee will ever be reliable?

 

[Tezz]

Don't think Bruce Carter's starting spot is in jeopardy at all for the opening season

 

[Frosty]

I'd trade him now while he still might have some value. Maybe someone will give a 4th round pick for his potential.

Then just hope Rolando McClain plays like the LBer he was drafted to be, and hope that Sean Lee can play more than 5.3 games per year. Plan for next year.

Arizona might be in the market for a LB.....but I would let things play out this year,,,,and go from there....To many holes on this Cowboys defense as it is.

Think Garrett is just sending a message to Bruce Carter......

 

[DFWJC]

They may be on to something in allowing Carter to rush the passer.

 

[reddyuta]

We should explore trading him to a 3-4 team.

 

[viman96]

We need a fire sale on defense

 

[coach steele]

Its interesting that Bruce Carter is getting reps as a pass rushing specialist. For whatever reason, the coaches don't seem sold on Carter. This dates back to last year. Durant has looked good in camp. However, I don't see him as being strong at the point of attack. I could see him moved over to WILL, especially if McCain steps up. Seems like the team is giving him every opportunity to do so. Carter can then challenge at SAM with Wilber. Both could be called on to rush the passer in 3rd and long situations. Garrett made a comment that Carter was good at that (paraphrasing) in his press conference.

 

[xwalker]

Its interesting that Bruce Carter is getting reps as a pass rushing specialist. For whatever reason, the coaches don't seem sold on Carter. This dates back to last year. Durant has looked good in camp. However, I don't see him as being strong at the point of attack. I could see him moved over to WILL, especially if McCain steps up. Seems like the team is giving him every opportunity to do so. Carter can then challenge at SAM with Wilber. Both could be called on to rush the passer in 3rd and long situations. Garrett made a comment that Carter was good at that (paraphrasing) in his press conference.

Before the Lee injury, Durant had been moved to the WLB spot. If McClain stays motivated to play football and takes over the MLB spot, then Durant would be freed up to compete with Carter at WLB.

 

[Galian Beast]

If Lee and/or Carr were cut, you could get pretty good free agents with their base salaries.

I think it's worth keeping Lee given the quality player and leader he is. I think we can afford him until his salary starts to climb, then we'll need him to stay healthy.

Carter though? I'm borderline done with him. Carter won't be re-signed is my guess. His salary isn't considerable at all though.

 

[Frosty]

Before the Lee injury, Durant had been moved to the WLB spot. If McClain stays motivated to play football and takes over the MLB spot, then Durant would be freed up to compete with Carter at WLB.

could Carter be used as a Nickel Rusher......?