ESPN Watkins: Source: Cowboys, Rams complete trade *Merge*

[WoodysGirl]

By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com
Archive

In a swap of former first-round picks who didn't live up to expectations, the Dallas Cowboys traded linebacker Bobby Carpenter to the St. Louis Rams for tackle Alex Barron, a source said Monday.


Carpenter underachieved from the moment he arrived in Dallas as the 18th pick of the 2006 draft. He never settled in at inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and seemed more suited to play the middle linebacker position in a 4-3 alignment.

Carpenter's best game might have come in the 2006 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks in which he started and had five tackles -- including one for a loss -- and deflected three passes. But when the Cowboys drafted Penn State's Sean Lee in the second round earlier this month, it signaled that Carpenter's time in Dallas was coming to an end.

Like Carpenter, Barron has struggled. He never lived up to expectations in St. Louis despite starting in 74 of 76 career games since becoming a first-round pick in the 2005 draft.

Last year, he led the NFL with five holding calls.

With the Cowboys, Barron will get the chance to challenge Doug Free for the starting left tackle spot. If he doesn't win the job, he would become the swing backup tackle the Cowboys are seeking.

Barron has signed his tender offer worth $2.621 million this season.

He joins a backup offensive line corps that also includes Travis Bright (center/guard), Montrae Holland (guard), Robert Brewster (left tackle), Pat McQuistan (guard), Cory Procter (center/guard) and rookie Sam Young (right tackle).

The trade is the Cowboys' biggest offseason move since they released a pair of veterans in left tackle Flozell Adams and free safety Ken Hamlin. The Cowboys have elected to move Free and Alan Ball into their starting positions.

Dallas also re-signed its only unrestricted free agent in Holland.

Next on the Cowboys' agenda is to extend the contracts of two of their restricted free agents: wide receiver Miles Austin and strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh. Jones said he would like to sign both to long-term deals.

Calvin Watkins covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag. Dallas also re-signed its only unrestricted free agent in Holland.

 

[DCBoysfan]

Finally a done deal, I really like this trade.

 

[Stash]

Glad they got the deal done before the Rams came to their senses!

 

[Gzus]

Jerry makes good decisions as of late so I give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

 

[AdamJT13]

He never settled in at inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and seemed more suited to play the middle linebacker position in a 4-3 alignment.

Typical Calvin Watkins gaffe.

 

[Jon88]

Thank God.

I really hated Barbie.

 

[Suave]

I would be lying if I said I was completely in favor of this trade. As fans, we have had to deal with Flozell Adams's false start for all these years, and now they are bringing in another OL with similar issues.

I will hope for the best, but I am not thrilled about Barron's arrival. Just being honest.

 

[speedkilz88]

Jerry makes good decisions as of late so I give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Why does he even need the benefit of doubt on this one? On paper it appears to be very good deal for the Cowboys.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I was skeptical at first, but after thinking about it I like it more now.

 

[Chief]

Typical Calvin Watkins gaffe.

 

[Big Dakota]

Typical Calvin Watkins gaffe.

I presume he'll compete with David Vobora and Chris Chamberlain for the WLB possition.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Thank God.

I really hated Barbie.

Hate is such a strong word. I wish him well.

 

[speedkilz88]

I presume he'll compete with David Vobora and Chris Chamberlain for the WLB possition.

Yes, if you look up weak linebacker in the dictionary you should find a picture of Bobby.

 

[DemonBlood]

Bye Bobby.

 

[jgboys1]

I was skeptical at first, but after thinking about it I like it more now.

That is how I feel. We do need help on the O-line.

 

[JBS]

There is no reason why anyone should be opposed to this deal. No one would have even batted an eye lash if Barbie was cut, the fact that we fill on of our biggest needs is a tremendous bonus for us.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

You don't often see player for player trades in the NFL, but when they make as much sense as this one does, you have to do it.

I wonder who approached who about this deal.

 

[Alexander]

Typical Calvin Watkins gaffe.

Wow.

I can excuse occasional errors, but Watkins is a professional imbecile.

 

[Alexander]

I would be lying if I said I was completely in favor of this trade. As fans, we have had to deal with Flozell Adams's false start for all these years, and now they are bringing in another OL with similar issues.

As a backup. If he was slated to start, I would be right with you. Again, it is not often you can give up a useless player like Carpenter and get back a player like Barron. We have cut better players than Carpenter and got nothing in return.

I will hope for the best, but I am not thrilled about Barron's arrival. Just being honest.

Nobody should be thrilled we are getting a career disappointment. But again, it is all about your expectations. We would not get a depth player off the waiver wire any better.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Bobby Carpenter-LB- Cowboys May. 10 - 2:06 pm et


Cowboys LB Bobby Carpenter is wrapping up his physical in St. Louis on Monday afternoon.

ESPN's Calvin Watkins is reporting that the trade sending Carpenter to the Rams for OT Alex Barron is a done deal. It should be announced shortly.
Source: Brian Stull on Twitter
Related: Cowboys