DMN Blog: Cowboys are counting on Bobby Carpenter

[WoodysGirl]

12:14 PM Thu, Jun 18, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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It's easy to make wisecracks about Bobby Carpenter. He's a first-round pick who hasn't panned out. He wears his blond hair in a pony tail and has been tagged with the mocking nickame of "Barbie" by his teammates. And his ESPN appearances-to-NFL production ratio is ridiculously out of whack.

Carpenter probably will never silence his sarcastic critics around these parts. But, for the first time under Wade Phillips, he has a legitimate chance to contribute to the Cowboys' defense.

With Kevin Burnett gone to San Diego, the nickel linebacker job is Carpenter's to lose. The fact that the Cowboys didn't make much effort to re-sign Burnett can be taken as a vote of confidence in Carpenter.

His primary competition is third-round pick Jason Williams, an amazing athlete who has miles to go mentally before the coaches could feel comfortable putting him on the field for third downs. Sixth-rounder Stephen Hodge is a darkhorse, but his development was slowed by an injury that kept him off the field for most of the off-season practices. Keith Brooking wants a chance to compete, but he's better suited to be a two-down player at this point of his career.

Carpenter is considered a finesee player, but that's fine for a linebacker who will spend most of his time in pass coverage. He held his own against arguably the league's best tight end tandem during OTAs and minicamp. Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett got open occasionally against Carpenter, but he at least looked like he belonged on the field against them.

"Bobby Carpenter has done really well in this camp," said Phillips, who made similar comments last summer in Oxnard. "He's done everything we've asked and more. He's looked really good when he's gone in there and done things. I think for Bobby, he's just got to do it in ballgames for us.

"We'll see what happens, but I have a good feeling about it."


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Don't forget, he's sexy, too
http://i5.***BLOCKED***/albums/y164/nbr1diva/Cowboys/bobbyc.gif

 

[Alexander]

Well. This was a frightening blog entry.

 

[Doomsay]

Well. This was a frightening blog entry.

On many levels. Any defensive scheme that involves softy in any capacity is suspect.

 

[Alexander]

On many levels. Any defensive scheme that involves softy in any capacity is suspect.

I am clinging to the hope that we aren't going to buy into the bunch of "tackles" in preseason charade again and look seriously at his cap figure in comparison to that of Hodge and Williams. Then it should be obvious he needs to go away.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Cowboys are counting on Bobby Carpenter

Can you say 5-11? :bang2:

 

[dallascowboysfan31]

we r doomed

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

he is 6'3....255 pounds...and can run with the best of them for his size...I see no reason why he cannot perform as a nickle LBer if he plays with confidence. Worst thing Dallas ever did was NEVER show any confidence in him...guranteeing Zach Thomas a starting spot without ever competing for it was not a good move when you have a 1st rounder waiting to prove he can play. They are not making the same mistake with Spencer....which is a big reason why Elllis is gone. When he played in the playoff game with Seattle he looked MORE THAN CAPABLE. Then Parcells quits...Phillips comes in...and all the momentum Carpenter should have been carrying into the next year was lost.

 

[UnoDallas]

I say by game 8 he is replaced my J williams

 

[fredp22]

Every year it we seem to see the same story

I believe in Landrys if they cant make it by their 3rd year its better to cut the ties.

 

[burmafrd]

As a nickel guy covering backs/TEs he should do fine. Its in the blood and guts stopping the run that most of us have our doubts...

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Despite the naysaying I remain steadfast in my belief that the guy will play well.

 

[RS12]

No-- its just too easy:laugh2:

 

[Undisputed]

Gotta love a Dallas Cowboys offseason. Even Bobby Carpenter gets hype. You'd think our team would be unstoppable by now.

 

[jterrell]

he is 6'3....255 pounds...and can run with the best of them for his size...I see no reason why he cannot perform as a nickle LBer if he plays with confidence. Worst thing Dallas ever did was NEVER show any confidence in him...guranteeing Zach Thomas a starting spot without ever competing for it was not a good move when you have a 1st rounder waiting to prove he can play. They are not making the same mistake with Spencer....which is a big reason why Elllis is gone. When he played in the playoff game with Seattle he looked MORE THAN CAPABLE. Then Parcells quits...Phillips comes in...and all the momentum Carpenter should have been carrying into the next year was lost.

rofl!!!

Carpenter is fine so long as no one tries to block him.

He is 255 but plays as physical as Mike Jenkins.

Barbie looks great in shorts but awful when the contact starts.

I am hopeful this talking him up nonsense is just to build his trade value to that of a 5th rounder.

He has zero future here. We drafted 2 ILB and this guy has been a total bust as a 1st rounder.

Ellis isn't here because Ellis didn't wanna be here. It wasn't because of Spencer. Carpenter is here over Burnett because Burnett was a FA first. The Cowboys made it clear they didn't care all that much for Burnett but liked Carpenter even less.

 

[jterrell]

I say by game 8 he is replaced my J williams

We are talking about a guy who was so bad in pre-season that Wade wrote him off.

Now we are talking about him as a nickel backer. Who drafts 1st round inside nickel backers?

I'd say it takes a lot less than 8 games for either Hodge or Williams to replace him. Hodge is more physical at 30 pounds lighter and Williams is even more athletic.

 

[Hoofbite]

Despite the naysaying I remain steadfast in my belief that the guy will play well.

I'd like to see a little something but I doubt it.

He hasn't shown anything to give me any sort of hope of him panning out.

Year in and year out the team find someone else to play and moves him around to another position.

I'd be shocked if he does anything.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I hope the best for Bobby!

 

[Big Dakota]

Maybe Jerry can get some of his coin out of Carp yet?

 

[Future]

As a nickel guy covering backs/TEs he should do fine. Its in the blood and guts stopping the run that most of us have our doubts...

Agreed, he's got plenty of speed and athleticism to play pass coverage or blitz occasionally.

 

[Alexander]

he is 6'3....255 pounds...and can run with the best of them for his size...I see no reason why he cannot perform as a nickle LBer if he plays with confidence. Worst thing Dallas ever did was NEVER show any confidence in him...

What is he, a child? Or a professional?

I don't believe trust has anything to do with it. He either is a bad fit or simply does not want it bad enough.

Your point about him being capable is noted, most people thought he could do the job or he wouldn't have been drafted. Why he hasn't produced is solely on him. All of these supposed mitigating factors like players in front of him, this "confidence" all of that is irrelevant. It is not in the best interest of this franchise to allow a first round choice to disappear into busthood. He's been given plenty of opportunities and he hasn't done a thing with any of them.

guranteeing Zach Thomas a starting spot without ever competing for it was not a good move when you have a 1st rounder waiting to prove he can play. They are not making the same mistake with Spencer....which is a big reason why Elllis is gone.

Spencer obviously showed more potential to do the things necessary. The fact that he's getting his chance despite some behavior issues should speak volumes. Carpenter has been a saint, but simply hasn't seized his chances with the same degree of effect. He's just--there.

When he played in the playoff game with Seattle he looked MORE THAN CAPABLE. Then Parcells quits...Phillips comes in...and all the momentum Carpenter should have been carrying into the next year was lost.

He was starting because there really was no other options at that time. He was forced into competition inside in Phillips' first year and he played horribly. I distinctly remember the "role" that was envisioned and he couldn't live up to it. He did play somewhat better last year, but again, he failed to impress in ways that matter. Nobody else is responsible for his current state. It makes no logical sense for Phillips or anyone in the organization to want him to fail. There is and was too much invested in him for that to be the case.