News: Miller: Cowboys LB Bruce Carter on Why He Struggled in 2013

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Last drive after the failed 2pt conversion. Carter stops McCoy on 2nd and 8 . Carter covers downfield cannot see coverage but Foles sacked. Still not this terrible play. Perhaps Carter should have forced the fumble on those dives and kneeldowns here at the end.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Rewatching the game the loss is on Murray and Orton for fumbling as well as Heath and Holloman who were repeatedly picked on in the first half for big gains. Carter actually looked comfortable in coverage but for the one possible miscue on the stunt. He dealt with a steady diet of guards but still managed to shed them a time or two.

All things considered the defense played good enough to win.

 

[xwalker]

Once you see people start talking about 'excuses.' you have moved from analysis into the blame game. I have no interest in that paradigm. I get that you are mad and looking for people to blame.

Yes I do think that no longer having an OLB wide of him changed the reads he had to make. I also think that Hayden's in ability to draw double teams allowed extra blockers.

You act like he never got off blocks. I get that you are butthurt about losing.

I noticed throughout the season that Hayden, the 1-tech, was often single-blocked. If the 1-tech in the 4-3 under is single-blocked, then the entire defense is going to have problems.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I noticed throughout the season that Hayden, the 1-tech, was often single-blocked. If the 1-tech in the 4-3 under is single-blocked, then the entire defense is going to have problems.

Exactly right.

Simply getting Hayden off the field will make for good things for this defense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Simply getting Hayden off the field will make for good things for this defense.

Impossible. We're going to be worse than last year. I read it here first.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

No, I have observations and you have hyperbole. We are both entitled to our opinions but what is in question is the foundation of said opinions. Paul Warfield comparisons are the depth of your analysis.

Carter had inside leverage on both throws and was running step for step with Woodhead. That is an objective fact.

The problem is that it was single coverage and single coverage no matter how good can be exploited. Rivers made too excellent throws to the outside and deep such that Woodhead was led under the ball to his outside shoulder.

Now Carter in theory could have tried to make a play on the ball but that would have entailed turning around, tracking it and trying to high point it like Lebron James going skyward for a rebound. It didn't happen.

I realize now that you would rather bash a Cowboy than give credit to a job well done by the opponent. The proper comparison wasn't Woodhead but rather one to the QB makign that throw. Rivers was making throws like Warner used to while winning MVPs back during the greatest show on turf days. That kind of touch on a pass 35 yards downfield is impressive.

Dude you realize Carter was benched during the San Diego game. He wasnt benched just because Rivers was awesome. Carter let up two 2 TDs and Eberflus was trying to find a better "combination" at LB to help the team. That "better" combination meant starting Sims over Carter the following week against Minny.

Say what you want and defend Carter as much as you want, but we as fans are not alone in our observations when coaches bench a guy for "not playing well."

Carter got beat. Kiffin even said it himself. Carter...was...BEAT. http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/blue-star/So-Was-Bruce-Carter-Benched-226176491.html

 

[AsthmaField]

All things considered the defense played good enough to win.

Yeah, surprisingly, they did. For whatever reason, last year's defense seemed to play well in their games against Philly.

If you were to look at the Dallas defense in that final, single elimination Eagles game last year and then think about adding Melton, McClain, Mincey, Crawford, Bass, and then adding an early round DT or DE or both... it could cause you to have hope for this season. Even taking away Ware (who was at best, average all season) and Hatcher (who was a product of playing Marinelli's 3-tech IMO)... you're still likely talking about significant improvement, even before talking about any improvement from second year guys, and any improvement from everyone playing in year 2 of this scheme.

Speaking for myself, I expect the defense to be a good bit better.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Dude you realize Carter was benched during the San Diego game. He wasnt benched just because Rivers was awesome. Carter let up two 2 TDs and Eberflus was trying to find a better "combination" at LB to help the team. That "better" combination meant starting Sims over Carter the following week against Minny.

Say what you want and defend Carter as much as you want, but we as fans are not alone in our observations when coaches bench a guy for "not playing well."

Carter got beat. Kiffin even said it himself. Carter...was...BEAT. http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/blue-star/So-Was-Bruce-Carter-Benched-226176491.html

Sure. As I have said repeatedly, he does not show mental toughness. He gets down and it affects his play. It is childish and when a coach sees that it makes sense to sit him down.

Now do you actually want to talk about the rest of his game or do you just want to repeat the same couple of points and ignore everything else?

 

[ConstantReboot]

All this talk of Carter is depressing. The only person that can fix Carter is Carter himself. But I do think that its also a coaching problem. Maybe Carter just didn't like the assignments given to him and that he wasn't comfortable doing it? Maybe it confused him on what he was supposed to do. All in all, as one person stated on this thread, its a confidence issue. And if it has to deal with confidence, that is where the coaches can come in and help with that situation.

On the other hand, I'm kinda liking the prospect of what our defense can be this year. Sure we were awful last year. But if Melton can remain healthy I think he can make up for the lost of Hatcher. Ware hardly played last year and was mostly ineffective. If we hit a home run with a passrushing DE, it will be more than make up for Ware's departure. I'm also liking McCain over anyone we have now.
We have to put all our eggs into the DL and possibly some into Linebacker. If we can come away with an RDE, 1 tech tackle that can demand double teams, and a pretty athletic linebacker with the ability rush and cover I think were good. Lastly, who here is happy that we have Marinelli as our Def. Coordinator? I certainly am.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Sure. As I have said repeatedly, he does not show mental toughness. He gets down and it affects his play. It is childish and when a coach sees that it makes sense to sit him down.

Now do you actually want to talk about the rest of his game or do you just want to repeat the same couple of points and ignore everything else?

Does it matter lol? Talk about how great he was and then we will finish the conversation with him being benched by his coaches because that's what happened after he let up two tds

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Does it matter lol? Talk about how great he was and then we will finish the conversation with him being benched by his coaches because that's what happened after he let up two tds

Sure and then next week and every other week he started. He was playing much better at the end of the year too.

If his reaction to failure is a dealbreaker for you then to each their own. I hope that he can mature and respond better myself.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Watching the week 16 Washington

First play from scrimmage they run the TE up the seam the RB up the flat. He ran up under the seam route and Cousins checked down but made a bad pass. The Commanders tried attacking him early. Second play shows that Washington is going to single block Hayden. Guard with a free release but Selvie won on penetration so it was moot. The tone so far is obvious.

Carter makes the playcall in the huddle. LB crowd the A gap as if to blitz. False start. Cowboys are showing different looks. 3-4 on second down, only 2 downlinemen and Ware rushing from a 2 point stance. Helu loses his footing on a screen pass with Carter covering deep at the snap so there is not much to say yet. 3 and out.

Second drive. Carter is strong side and jams the TE who runs to the flat. Pass is up field into Holloman's zone who failed to make a play despite good position. His awareness will come but it wasn't there this day. He is close. Church playing nickelback. Washington is getting 3 blockers into the second level. Carter is slow to react and eats a block. Shanahan floods the weakside with 3 receivers and finds the middle of the field open underneath. First down. Fake reverse and all LB do a good job getting into their drops for the throwaway. Good range from Wilber while Carter snuffed out the first read on the strongside. Huge variance in play when Carter knows what to do versus confusion.

Same drive. Selvie gets a QB hit and ball sails. Carter bit on playaction on 2nd and 10. More pressure scuttles the possession.

After exchaning punts Washington has great field position. Carter gets off yet another free releasing OG to come across the formation and make the tackle after an 8 yard gain. Next play is physical taking on the lead at the point of attack. Holloman is able to flow and make a nice stop for minimal game. Next play is run right behind the interior OL. Hatcher and Hayden are stood up and pushed back so that the pile gains three yards and a first. Carter reacts to push the pile before yet another OL can get to him. Poor tackle play at the point.

Same drive poorly executed zone play after a quick snap. Defense was ready and beat them to their spots. Carter is trying to run under seams and posts but Cousins isn't biting. Short gain into Scandricks short zone. Another Scandrick stop on openfield tackle to force the FG.

Next series. First down has Carter sugaring the A gap. Outside run and Carter beats yet another free releasing OG to the playside and runner makes a bad cut falls down in front of him. Nice read and nice quickness to get outside before the OG could get there. Fake zone right roll left leaves Cousins an open field where the corner had run downfield. Stretch right and OG is able to get upfield and force Carter to take a bad angle. Holloman was swallowed whole by the peeling guard at the point of attack.

With DT play like we see here, the LB do not have a chance on plays like this. Carter is trying to overcome the OG with quickness but its an uphill climb. Carter fills the gap and makes the tackle for short gain on first down. Carr gets beat on a comeback and next play sees a Carter rushing upfield speed bump by the RBis enough to allow the quick pass for a big gain. They ran a line stunt and it took forever to develop. DL is playing awful.

Skins run misdirection and Carter isn't fooled to make the tackle in the red zone. This is a long drive. 2 straight Washington penalties on 3rd down backs Wash up. Cowboys underneath coverage is able to keep the Commanders out of the end zone. Field goal. Just want to say that the LB are not the problem here. Outside of Selvie our DL is just playing awful.

Romo hooks up with Bryant for two long gains along with a long run from Murray gets the TD. Romo is avoinding hits like the plague this game. Throwing the ball away and not taking wide open running lanes.

Next drive. Carter dodges another guard but Wilber makes the tackle at the poa. Skins are running combinations at the weakside and Carter is not letting them get behind him. Holloman and Carter quick to react on a short throw for min gain. Hatcher comes off the line well leads to TFL. Garcon sinks into teh soft spot under Heaths zone for long completion. Carr beat on cross by Garcon. Heath with good quickness gets up in Cousins face doesn't help him up. Funny play. Church traps the ball on another throw that sails from Cousins. Heath gets the pick on a tipped ball from another underthrown pass. End of half.

Still not seeing this liability in Carter. Will do the second half later today.

 

[starfrombirth]

Church is a big dude for a safety. Looks like a LB.

Thought the same thing. He actually looks bigger than Carter.

 

[starfrombirth]

I understand the burden is on the players, but I thought we were told as fans, that one of the reasons for the switch was the flexibity and the burden being lifted off of the players in terms of complexity, overthinking on the field, etc. Lee wasn't the same impact player as previous seasons as well. Is a 4-3 Cover 2 that hard to pick up or has that defense been exposed as a result of the more athletic TEs down the seam, and backs being incorporated underneath in the passing game, etc? Doesn't help that our CBs were asked to play zone with terrible/inexperienced S play?

What are you talking about? Lee was a monster until he hurt himself. He had a couple of slips here and there but every player does ... no matter what the system is.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

What are you talking about? Lee was a monster until he hurt himself. He had a couple of slips here and there but every player does ... no matter what the system is.

Lee was good last year... Not great, but good. He was pretty bad the beginning part of the year in his pass coverage responsibilities.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Sure and then next week and every other week he started. He was playing much better at the end of the year too.

If his reaction to failure is a dealbreaker for you then to each their own. I hope that he can mature and respond better myself.

The thing that surprised me about Carter was the number of snaps he received... Well over 900. Yeah, he was benched (and rightfully so) vs SD, but it's not like he didn't see the field again.

His real "stinkers" were against KC, SD and NO.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Watching the week 16 Washington

First play from scrimmage they run the TE up the seam the RB up the flat. He ran up under the seam route and Cousins checked down but made a bad pass. The Commanders tried attacking him early. Second play shows that Washington is going to single block Hayden. Guard with a free release but Selvie won on penetration so it was moot. The tone so far is obvious.

Carter makes the playcall in the huddle. LB crowd the A gap as if to blitz. False start. Cowboys are showing different looks. 3-4 on second down, only 2 downlinemen and Ware rushing from a 2 point stance. Helu loses his footing on a screen pass with Carter covering deep at the snap so there is not much to say yet. 3 and out.

Second drive. Carter is strong side and jams the TE who runs to the flat. Pass is up field into Holloman's zone who failed to make a play despite good position. His awareness will come but it wasn't there this day. He is close. Church playing nickelback. Washington is getting 3 blockers into the second level. Carter is slow to react and eats a block. Shanahan floods the weakside with 3 receivers and finds the middle of the field open underneath. First down. Fake reverse and all LB do a good job getting into their drops for the throwaway. Good range from Wilber while Carter snuffed out the first read on the strongside. Huge variance in play when Carter knows what to do versus confusion.

Same drive. Selvie gets a QB hit and ball sails. Carter bit on playaction on 2nd and 10. More pressure scuttles the possession.

After exchaning punts Washington has great field position. Carter gets off yet another free releasing OG to come across the formation and make the tackle after an 8 yard gain. Next play is physical taking on the lead at the point of attack. Holloman is able to flow and make a nice stop for minimal game. Next play is run right behind the interior OL. Hatcher and Hayden are stood up and pushed back so that the pile gains three yards and a first. Carter reacts to push the pile before yet another OL can get to him. Poor tackle play at the point.

Same drive poorly executed zone play after a quick snap. Defense was ready and beat them to their spots. Carter is trying to run under seams and posts but Cousins isn't biting. Short gain into Scandricks short zone. Another Scandrick stop on openfield tackle to force the FG.

Next series. First down has Carter sugaring the A gap. Outside run and Carter beats yet another free releasing OG to the playside and runner makes a bad cut falls down in front of him. Nice read and nice quickness to get outside before the OG could get there. Fake zone right roll left leaves Cousins an open field where the corner had run downfield. Stretch right and OG is able to get upfield and force Carter to take a bad angle. Holloman was swallowed whole by the peeling guard at the point of attack.

With DT play like we see here, the LB do not have a chance on plays like this. Carter is trying to overcome the OG with quickness but its an uphill climb. Carter fills the gap and makes the tackle for short gain on first down. Carr gets beat on a comeback and next play sees a Carter rushing upfield speed bump by the RBis enough to allow the quick pass for a big gain. They ran a line stunt and it took forever to develop. DL is playing awful.

Skins run misdirection and Carter isn't fooled to make the tackle in the red zone. This is a long drive. 2 straight Washington penalties on 3rd down backs Wash up. Cowboys underneath coverage is able to keep the Commanders out of the end zone. Field goal. Just want to say that the LB are not the problem here. Outside of Selvie our DL is just playing awful.

Romo hooks up with Bryant for two long gains along with a long run from Murray gets the TD. Romo is avoinding hits like the plague this game. Throwing the ball away and not taking wide open running lanes.

Next drive. Carter dodges another guard but Wilber makes the tackle at the poa. Skins are running combinations at the weakside and Carter is not letting them get behind him. Holloman and Carter quick to react on a short throw for min gain. Hatcher comes off the line well leads to TFL. Garcon sinks into teh soft spot under Heaths zone for long completion. Carr beat on cross by Garcon. Heath with good quickness gets up in Cousins face doesn't help him up. Funny play. Church traps the ball on another throw that sails from Cousins. Heath gets the pick on a tipped ball from another underthrown pass. End of half.

Still not seeing this liability in Carter. Will do the second half later today.

Sure and then next week and every other week he started. He was playing much better at the end of the year too.

If his reaction to failure is a dealbreaker for you then to each their own. I hope that he can mature and respond better myself.

Pick the saints game or watch the SD game

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Pick the saints game or watch the SD game

you sure seem determined to have me make your argument for you. first it was watch the eagles game now it is these other ones. whatevs.

I already know that I won't convince you. a lot of people read these threads. that is my intended audience.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

You seem determined as well. Though I haven't seen you review the games we are suggesting.

We could go back and forth blah blahing but how long are you willing to wait for him to arrive? Year 5? I can't

 

[Doc50]

Gil Brandt discussed Bruce Carter and the Cowboys LBers today on Sirrius NFL. Stated he does not think Bruce Carter heart is in football. Good player with skills but just didn't think he cares for the game...speculated he is playing purely monetary reason...and thought Ryan Shazier had a non-stop motor who loves the game is a better fit for the Cowboys Defense. Thought Brandts comments about Bruce Carter were in line with his play in 2013.....makes you wonder if he is business man....more than a player.

Exactly. This is essentially what we've all been saying.

Can't speculate on what's in the guy's head, but he does not have the competitive fire, the flat-out need to hit somebody that is mandatory at this level.

If his taste of money spawns a great effort and focus in this contract year, then he will have spilled the beans on himself, and should be traded or released before allowing any more time off due to "business decisions".

If he doesn't get it, and doesn't play well, he's gone then also.

So, he should be gone either way, due to the disinterest of last year.