DC.COM Blog: Is Carpenter's Play Changing Perceptions?

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by jellis at 11/2/2009 2:25 PM CST on truebluefanclub.com

Heard an interesting stat on the radio today. For Bobby Carpenter it had been 1,051 days since his last sack, dating back to the Atlanta game late in 2006, his rookie year.

Carpenter showed some promise late that season filling in for an injured Greg Ellis. Since then he's switched positions once or twice and generally underwhelmed, his only real contributions coming on special teams.

So here we are now, two weeks in a row when Carpenter has won some praise from the head coach. Last week it was Wade Phillips talking about how well he covered Tony Gonzalez, and this week the coach mentioning it was good to see Carpenter step up with six tackles in the game plus the sack.


"Certainly he’s playing more and now he’s playing better and better," Phillips said Monday. "He’s been solid in a lot of areas and now he’s made some plays, and that’s what you’re looking for in any player. He had to fight to get a role. He’s done that."

Fair or unfair, Carpenter has been the butt of plenty of jokes and had lots of criticism directed his way. I'm wondering if that will die down a bit now.

What do you guys think?

 

[baj1dallas]

I think before the next game I'll look up his number to watch him on a couple of plays.

 

[Eddie]

Not worthy of a first round pick, but at least we're salvaging him for something.

 

[Doomsday101]

Posted by jellis at 11/2/2009 2:25 PM CST on truebluefanclub.com

Heard an interesting stat on the radio today. For Bobby Carpenter it had been 1,051 days since his last sack, dating back to the Atlanta game late in 2006, his rookie year.

Carpenter showed some promise late that season filling in for an injured Greg Ellis. Since then he's switched positions once or twice and generally underwhelmed, his only real contributions coming on special teams.

So here we are now, two weeks in a row when Carpenter has won some praise from the head coach. Last week it was Wade Phillips talking about how well he covered Tony Gonzalez, and this week the coach mentioning it was good to see Carpenter step up with six tackles in the game plus the sack.


"Certainly he’s playing more and now he’s playing better and better," Phillips said Monday. "He’s been solid in a lot of areas and now he’s made some plays, and that’s what you’re looking for in any player. He had to fight to get a role. He’s done that."

Fair or unfair, Carpenter has been the butt of plenty of jokes and had lots of criticism directed his way. I'm wondering if that will die down a bit now.

What do you guys think?

I think if people see him making plays week in and week out he will gain many fans respect. It has been very disappointing and frustrating that he has not played much better since he came here. He is now showing signs but he needs to bring it game in and game out. I hope he can get it turned around.

 

[twentytwo]

Not worthy of a first round pick, but at least we're salvaging him for something.

Being a first round pick, we all had very high expectations of him, which is completely fair. He will never meet those, which is why he will always be considered a disappointment. That being said, it's been good to see him take advantage of his relatively limited time on the field. The way he played against Tony Gonzalez was impressive to say the least.

 

[Doomsday]

I dont mind Carpenter as a nickel LB. I hate seeing him out there in the goal line package though, he is awful at the point of attack. Ive seen him get pushed around way too many times for my liking.

 

[casmith07]

I think if people see him making plays week in and week out he will gain many fans respect. It has been very disappointing and frustrating that he has not played much better since he came here. He is now showing signs but he needs to bring it game in and game out. I hope he can get it turned around.

He won't. Romo's been doing it for almost 4 years and still no respect.

(cue the "December" and "playoff" comments)

 

[twentytwo]

He won't. Romo's been doing it for almost 4 years and still no respect.

(cue the "December" and "playoff" comments)

Yeah but Romo doesn't play well in December and still hasn't won a playoff game.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Bobbie Carpenter >> Kevin Burnett

 

[speedkilz88]

Above average cover LB, below average run stopping LB.

 

[RS12]

Not hardly.

 

[Doomsday101]

He won't. Romo's been doing it for almost 4 years and still no respect.

(cue the "December" and "playoff" comments)

I said Fans, not critics. :laugh2:

Chances are Carpenter will never live up to the 1st rd status being a nickel backer but at this stage we need to get something out of him and he is starting to show some abilities but needs to bring it each game.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Carpenter isn't a bad player. But with the 15th pick in the draft(he was the 15th right?) I think we all expected more. A lot more. A starter. So far it doesn't look like he'll be that. But that's fine. He's been solid in the nickel. I think he's good for what he is. He's just not the playmaker we wanted. But let's get over that. He's coming off two solid games. Let's see if he builds on that. Who knows. Maybe Brooking will have a positive impact on him.

 

[WarDaddy]

Above average cover LB, below average run stopping LB.

Indeed. If this dude could only remember that he plays FOOTBALL for a living and get over his fear of contact he would be a good all-around linebacker. He's got all the speed and smarts you need. He even has the size. He just needs to lay the wood one good time and realize it's not gonna kill him. Once he gets in a good kill shot I think he plays more physical.

I would not be surprised if he gets a pic in this game on Sunday night. I can really see McNabb getting pressured into throwing a ball to Celek a little early and Carpenter making a play on it.

I feel like Hamlin gets one too. Either or...

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Bobbie Carpenter >> Kevin Burnett

At least he can brush his teeth without blowing out an ACL.

 

[gimmesix]

Bobbie Carpenter >> Kevin Burnett

In coverage, I agree. Burnett wasn't near as good a coverage linebacker as he was made out to be. He made some nice plays there, but was not as consistent as Carpenter seems to be.

In aggressiveness, run defense and blitzing, I give the edge to Burnett. Burnett had an attack mentality, which is probably what hurt him in coverage at times.

 

[theogt]

Really? One sack where the guy runs straight at the QB? Why on earth would that change anything?

 

[JerryFan]

Indeed. If this dude could only remember that he plays FOOTBALL for a living and get over his fear of contact he would be a good all-around linebacker. He's got all the speed and smarts you need. He even has the size. He just needs to lay the wood one good time and realize it's not gonna kill him. Once he gets in a good kill shot I think he plays more physical.

I would not be surprised if he gets a pic in this game on Sunday night. I can really see McNabb getting pressured into throwing a ball to Celek a little early and Carpenter making a play on it.

I feel like Hamlin gets one too. Either or...

You don't think he's laid someone out before? That usually happens way before you go to a major Div 1 college. I'm sorry I just think you're post looks at Bobby Carpenter from a jr high point of view. The guy has played 4 years major D1 college ball and several years in the NFL and he's afraid of contact? He's not very good at being physical. Him getting a "kill shot" on someone isn't going to make him better at taking on a blocker and then shedding them. I'm all for him getting a "kill shot" though.

 

[Aikbach]

Not his fault he was drafted too high, but since he was he was supposed to be an immediate starter and not a project player that is finally emerging as a decent contributor.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Well...this is the game where Carpenter will either be completely exposed or he can rise to the challenge which will truly begin to change the negative perceptions of him as a player.



When it became apparent that Carpenter had been given the role as nickel LB, this game vs Philly is the game that immediately came to mind because a lot of their offense will put us in nickel defense and IMO, Andy Reid does a good job of isolating a team weakness and trying to exploit that. Look for Carpenter to be on the field a lot Sunday and look for his name to be called more than usual by Al Michaels & Collinsworth. I just hope it's more positive remarks than negative.