Consider This

[TwoDeep3]

Lawson has potential.

So did Kavika Pittman and Shante Carver.

While potential is great. If it doesn't translate to the pros, what have you got?

Another busted defensive end.

This team is close.

This is the money ball from the corner for a three as the clock expires.

Carpenter may not be the sexy POTENTIAL pick. But he fits this scheme. He can play outside, since that is where he played in college.

He can move inside if we need him to do so.

He will excell at both.

But if you are in a pinch, he has the tools to put his hand on the ground and play some DE.

Lawson is thin, but runs and leaps like a deer.

Speed is no guarantee he will make it in the pros.

Maybe we should stop and reflect that where we got our butts handed to us in the important games was against the run.

Or have we forgotten Denver.

I know the lure of a speed rusher across from Ware.

But this team needs to hit on this pick.

And all the athletic ability in the world doesn't convince me this might be a mistake of a Pittman/Carver proportion if we whiff on this guy.

Maybe it is time to play it safe and take a player who has performed at a high level at THE POSITION we are drafting him for.

Carpenter is the pick if we're really smart.

And polls at the three major Cowboy message boards indicate the majority feel the same.

 

[theogt]

There are no safe picks. The draft's a crapshoot. Carpenter's just as risky as Lawson.

 

[cowboygolfer]

Every pick is based on potential. Not one college player has anything but potential.

I would like to see us go after some folks with experience at the position we want them to play, however if BP thinks they can I gotta give way to his experience > Potential.

 

[TwoDeep3]

There are no safe picks. The draft's a crapshoot. Carpenter's just as risky as Lawson.

Much less risk because you have seen him play the position.

You have quantifiable results which show his ability.

He doesn't change position.

He can flat out play against the run.

He can sack the QB.

And he can play in the passing game.

Things which have yet to be answered with Lawson.

And with Carpenter, you don't have to wait for a season before your guy muscles up to a weight that can handle the rigors of the position he will play.

Too many questions about Lawson, that are not involved with Carpenter.

I keep seeing people suggest move down and take more players to increase the odds of hitting on one.

Why not take a guy who has played the position and doesn't have to change, and hit the weight room, and learn linebacker skills.

Maybe playing the odds is not moving down but taking a guy who has done it before.

 

[Nav22]

I agree 100% with TD3. Carpenter's our guy, and we might even be able to trade down a couple spots to pick up a 4th.

 

[Vintage]

TwoDeep, you are wasting your time with him.

 

[theogt]

He can flat out play against the run.

he can sack the QC.

And he can play in the passing game.

Can't wait til Saturday so I can stop dispelling these falsehoods.

Lawson has clearly shown he can pass-rush. He has also proven he can play in coverage. He's done it before and did it well. His speed and agility give him a clear advantage over Carpenter in that respect. He played well against the run as a 4-3 DE. He looks solid in space. No one's ever questioned his tackling ability in space. He's also had more experience than Carpenter at facing and shedding blockers.

 

[Nav22]

he can sack the QC.

Freudian slip?

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

TwoDeep, I agree that we need a run-stuffer. I think Dallas will stay pat and get a run-stoppoer they are targeting (possibly Carpenter or maybe a Nose-tackle), otherwise they will trade down if that targeted player is not there. I don't see them reaching or trading up (too costly). If an immediate starter to Dallas' liking is not there at #18 then a trade-down for picks they can "develop" is the next safest bet.

**

 

[TwoDeep3]

Freudian slip?

Yes, but I am dang close to ridding myself of the nervous tick.

 

[Clove]

My head is about to explode.

 

[2much2soon]

I don't see a draft in which Parcells/Ireland/Jones Jr. are part of making a Pittman/Carver type of error.
I don't necessarily trust Parcells as a game day coach anymore but I do trust him as a talent evaluator. Particularly in regard to linebackers.
There's a greater probability Dallas makes a solid decision with it picks than not. I am not losing any sleep over it.

 

[Rack]

There are no safe picks. The draft's a crapshoot. Carpenter's just as risky as Lawson.

Drafting a WEAKside DE and moving him to STRONGside OLB is just as risky as drafting a STONGside OLB and KEEPING him at STRONGside OLB?



This is news to me.

And polls at the three major Cowboy message boards indicate the majority feel the same.

Which one is the 3rd?

Can't wait til Saturday so I can stop dispelling these falsehoods.

Regardless of what happens, NOTHING will be proven on saturday. Nothing that you quoted anyway.

He has also proven he can play in coverage. He's done it before and did it well.

Judging a player off of ONE game doesn't prove anything.

His speed and agility give him a clear advantage over Carpenter in that respect.

Again, if Speed and Agility = good in coverage BJ Tucker would be an all pro.

He played well against the run as a 4-3 DE.

No, he didn't.

He's also had more experience than Carpenter at facing and shedding blockers.

Wrong. If anything Lawson has done it enough times to prove it's a weakness for him. Carpenter hasn't done it as much, but the times he has done it he's done a better job of it then Lawson.

TwoDeep, I agree that we need a run-stuffer.

Let's not refer to Carpenter as a "Run-stuffer". That implies that that's all he can do. He's better vs the run then Lawson, but he's also a good pass rusher. Some think he's a better PASS rusher then Lawson. Lawson is a great speed rusher, but hasn't shown a lot of actual PASS rush moves.

My head is about to explode.

Seriously.

The ignorance and complete stubborness that "someone" continues to show it flat out mind boggling.

 

[Smith22]

I'm with you TD3, Carpenter seems the best fit if we go OLB. If Justice somehow falls to 18 though, I can't see passing him up.

 

[Crown Royal]

I don't want a pure pass rusher at SOLB. I want a guy who can blitz when need be, but who can more often hold the point of attack on the run and cover backs and TEs.

You know....like an SOLB is supposed to do. Ware is our pure passrusher. I need a playmaking version of Al Singleton on that side.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I want either Carpenter, Lawson or Wimbley

 

[Rack]

I don't want a pure pass rusher at SOLB. I want a guy who can blitz when need be, but who can more often hold the point of attack on the run and cover backs and TEs.

You know....like an SOLB is supposed to do. Ware is our pure passrusher. I need a playmaking version of Al Singleton on that side.

That's a good way of putting it. We need the "Solidness" (is that a word?) that Singleton brings, but with the ability to rush the passer and cause a fumble every now and then.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

This draft is so subjective.......that is why it is so much fun to speculate on who will make a good vs All Pro player.

 

[Woods]

I tend to agree that Carp is the "safer" pick of the two (between Carp and Lawson), and I know there are no "safe" picks in any draft . . . . but you all know what I mean.

Carp is the safer pick if only because he actually PLAYS LB. The coaching staff has atleast 2 years of film of Carpenter play LB and can get a feel for his instincts, pass coverage, ability to play the run at the LB position. There is simply LESS projection a scout/BP needs to do.

Now, I'm not saying Lawson isn't a good candidate, but it seems clear to me that Carpenter is more of a known commodity at the LB position.

 

[burmafrd]

You do know that Lawson played LB his first two years at NC State?