Our Number 1 Draft Pick

[CrazyCowboy]

Just make sure the pick at 18 has IMPACT!

 

[Qwickdraw]

Ive got a feeling that somehow, someway, Carpenter is a Cowboy when the draft ends.
This guy has Parcells written all over him.

 

[marchetta]

Bobby Carpenter LB Ohio St ​

Strengths
The size-speed ratio on this kid is very high. He is a good tackler and has excellent coverage skills. He is strong at the point of attack and can shed his blocker very easily. Bobby is a smart player and plays within the context of the game plan. He is a team player and can dominate a game when he wants to.

Needs to Improve
It looks to me that Bobby has a tendency to play to his competition. He doesn’t dominate in games against lesser talent and shines against the more talented teams. This is a problem for players that are smart and find it difficult to get inspired against less talented teams.

Bottom Line
Bobby is an excellent strong side LB and for a long time, I had a hard time figuring out what bothered me about his play. At first, I thought that perhaps he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed but, then I realized that it was just the opposite. He might be too smart for his own good. This kid knows his position and knows it well; however, I couldn’t figure out why he shows up for a game like Michigan St and then disappears against other teams. I thought for the longest time that it might be an injury that he was hiding or he wasn’t sure of his assignments. For a kid with as much talent as he has, he should be a lot more impactful on a consistent basis. Watching him closely from tape to tape, I realized that when he plays well and impacts, he plays with a lot of emotion. When he plays an efficient game, he plays with less emotion. Now I know some of you are going to criticize me and say I don’t know what I’m talking about, but this kid is way too athletic and smart to just be out there doing nothing more than his job. He should be ripping the place apart. Bobby recently had an ankle injury, but to be honest, I don’t think that it will make a difference in where he’s taken in the draft. He will be a high pick and I do like this kid’s game, but I hope the team that drafts him learns how to push his buttons for a 16 game schedule because if they can, he should be a dominating LB. When this kid wants to dominate a game, there is no other LB in this draft that is better. He is equal in talent and bigger in size than his counterpart A J Hawk, but his heart is not as big and his game is not as consistent.

Bobby reminds me of Cornelius Bennett. A very efficient LB, but not as dominating as everyone thought he would be. Cornelius was picked in 1987 in the 1st round -- the 2nd pick of the entire draft. Cornelius was efficient, but not dominating. If Bobby is picked sometime after the 20th pick in this draft, then I think that he will be considered good bang for the buck. If teams are going to draft him thinking they are going to build a defense around him, then they may be making a big mistake. Maybe a move to MLB in a 4-3 would unleash this kid’s consistency. Maybe it’s because he plays with Hawk and Schiegel. Personally, I think these are just excuses. I like his game, but not until later in the draft -- sometime after the 20th pick would be just about right. If he drops to the second round, he will be a steal. Remember this is a business and if Bobby has athletic talent equal to the best LB in this draft, but doesn’t impact like the best LB in this draft, then you aren’t being smart if you pick him with the thought that he’s going to impact. That’s just bad business.

- TheHuddleReport

 

[marchetta]

I am a big Chad Greenway fan. Always seems to be around the ball

Chad Greenway OLB Iowa ​

Strengths
Chad has excellent athleticism for his position. He does a good job when defending against the pass and shows good enough speed to cover RB’s coming out of the backfield. Chad is a smart player and knows his responsibilities and plays them well.

Needs to Improve
Watch my lips…Chad is a lousy tackler! He is a “drag down from behind” tackler that does not like straight on contact. He doesn’t wrap up and he drops his head.

Bottom Line
I don’t care how good a linebacker is at all his other responsibilities if he doesn’t like contact and won’t tackle. If he doesn’t do these two things well, then I don’t want him on my team. I am sick and tired of hearing about LB’s that are athletic, have excellent speed and how impactful they are and when I go to watch them and the most fundamental skill that is needed to play their position (like tackling) is lacking. How does this happen? Especially with a team that prides itself on their tackling! Tackling is mental. You have to want to do it. You have to like the contact. If you teach a kid over and over how to tackle and he still refuses to do it, that should send a signal that he doesn’t like contact! Now I ask you, why would you draft a LB that doesn’t want, or like, contact? Why…because he’s a great athlete? Chad will be drafted in the first day no doubt and if you use him as a situational LB, he could make some big impact plays for you; however, if you’re looking for an every down LB, then you would be making a mistake drafting Chad unless he discovers the light and all of a sudden decides he likes contact. I have a rule: If you are a poor tackler in college, then you’ll be a poor tackler in the pros. Head up, wrap up, squeeze and drive -- it’s that simple.

- thehuddlereport

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Oh, and carpenter isnt a first round pick. Maybe a second rounder, but not a first.

Oh, and Carpenter IS a first round pick. He is just as fast as Lawson, & had as many sacks last year, with two less games played! His injury is a BROKEN ankle, not a high ankle sprain, or another injury to a tendon or ligament. He will be ready for the combine, and will shoot up into the first round after showing his 4.58 speed for a 6-3, 255 lb. LB.
I love Lawson too, but he is TOO similar to DWare. You want a slightly broader & stronger LB over on the strong side to take on the TE. Carpenter is used to doing that, plus he can chase down the run. All Lawson is right now is a pass rusher. Carpenter is that, plus a run stopper. If Burnett does get healthy, you could either put him on the inside, or move Carpenter inside. Bottom line is that Carpenter gives you flexibility that Lawson can't.

One thing you can't measure is heart & instinct, and Carpenter has both in abundance.

 

[Nors]

No to Lawson

We don't need another convert at this point. I draft a LB we will be drafting a pure, big LB.


Carpenter on the outside is an option. Thomas Howard may be a better all round prospect. Schlegel may be the sleeper of this draft at ILB.

 

[Qwickdraw]

So would you guys rather have Carpenter as the Strong OLB who would cost a high draft pick (1st-2nd rounder) or would you rather have Fujita who we'd have to re-sign and would cost a 6th rounder in 2007?

Or both?

I like Fujita and his potential personally and seeing as how he's cheaper IMO, I would go with him.

 

[junk]

Isn't Thomas Howard small? Like 240? Al S size.

 

[junk]

So would you guys rather have Carpenter as the Strong OLB who would cost a high draft pick (1st-2nd rounder) or would you rather have Fujita who we'd have to re-sign and would cost a 6th rounder in 2007?

Or both?

I like Fujita and his potential personally and seeing as how he's cheaper IMO, I would go with him.

Carpenter. I want an impact player at that position. Not to mention the fact that he could be a nickel rusher as well.

I like Fujita as depth. Top LB reserve.

 

[Rush 2112]

No to Lawson

We don't need another convert at this point. I draft a LB we will be drafting a pure, big LB.


Carpenter on the outside is an option. Thomas Howard may be a better all round prospect. Schlegel may be the sleeper of this draft at ILB.

Lawson already played LB for 2 years.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I'm reading more and more reports that Mathias Kiwiunka is going to be a late 1st/early 2nd round pick, because he's too light to be an every down end in the NFL and he really hasn't learned very much in the way of technique. Teams are afraid that he'll be nothing more than a situational pass rusher his first two years in the league, and teams want to get more out of a 1st round pick.

It makes me wonder if the SOLB position wouldn't be better addressed by resigning Fujita to play on base packages, and then bringing in a pass rusher like Dumverill or Kiwi to take his place (and Greg Ellis role in that package, if he's leaving).

 

[Nors]

Lawson already played LB for 2 years.

Rush - I'm well aware of that. You have done a great job of mentioning that over time. I just am not sure Parcells brings anothe hybrid in at this point opposite Ware and Thornton.

I'm moving to a Howard type. A 6-3 240 LB with edge rush skills and top flite speed and playmaking upside.

Schleigel inside early Day 2.


Carpenter is starting to get overhyped by Boys fans. Kinda like this years version of Mike Williams as a must have homer type pick here.

what is the FS/S pecking order for us?

Huff
Blue
Simpson
Smith

Sleeper - McCleskey - Cal
Bing

 

[Nors]

I'm reading more and more reports that Mathias Kiwiunka is going to be a late 1st/early 2nd round pick, because he's too light to be an every down end in the NFL and he really hasn't learned very much in the way of technique. Teams are afraid that he'll be nothing more than a situational pass rusher his first two years in the league, and teams want to get more out of a 1st round pick.

It makes me wonder if the SOLB position wouldn't be better addressed by resigning Fujita to play on base packages, and then bringing in a pass rusher like Dumverill or Kiwi to take his place (and Greg Ellis role in that package, if he's leaving).

I warned you guys a year ago Kiwi was not ready. He is not NFL ready/strong. Someone will take him in one. He is as big a boom/bust prospect there is in this draft. In the wrong scheme he will be a disaster. Our 3-4 is the wrong scheme for him. He's off my Dallas draft board and I'm giving him a late 1 to early 2 draft grade.

 

[Rush 2112]

Rush - I'm well aware of that. You have done a great job of mentioning that over time. I just am not sure Parcells brings anothe hybrid in at this point opposite Ware and Thornton.

I'm moving to a Howard type. A 6-3 240 LB with edge rush skills and top flite speed and playmaking upside.

Schleigel inside early Day 2.


Carpenter is starting to get overhyped by Boys fans. Kinda like this years version of Mike Williams as a must have homer type pick here.

what is the FS/S pecking order for us?

Huff
Blue
Simpson
Smith

Sleeper - McCleskey - Cal
Bing

McGinnest, Vrabel, Bruschi, Colvin all college DE's.

3-4 historically, always takes smallish college DE's and makes them LB's.

Good news is, this one already has experience at LB.

Parcells already said Al/KB are significanlty smaller than what he is use to at SOLB.

Howard is the same size and he's use to hiding behind 4 defensive lineman.

Carpenter, Parham, Lawson, McClover, Roach.

I'd be shocked if we don't come away with 2 of those.

Won't be drafting a first day safety IMO.

 

[Nors]

McGinnest, Vrabel, Bruschi, Colvin all college DE's.

3-4 historically, always takes smallish college DE's and makes them LB's.

Good news is, this one already has experience at LB.

Parcells already said Al/KB are significanlty smaller than what he is use to at SOLB.

Howard is the same size and he's use to hiding behind 4 defensive lineman.

Carpenter, Parham, Lawson, McClover, Roach.

I'd be shocked if we don't come away with 2 of those.

Won't be drafting a first day safety IMO.

Lawson is a great athlete but at 6-6 I'm not sure he can pull off linebacker. But he's an option. Howard is the same size as Burnett! He's a playmaker. We will bring Fujita back as well.

Not address FS? So we have another season "Lost" watching Santana Moss behind our safeties? Yet another season of watching Roy and Davis toasted deep down field would be a critical mistake, But heck - it only cost us a playoff spot this year so at this point I guess I can't debate we will address in 06 draft. Because we have a proven proclivity for leaving that hole wide open.

This team has major offensive Ills - I can't see us taking 2 day 1 LB's. Just not happening.

Playmaking WR/TE
Oline
NT
FS

More pressing needs - Maybe 1 LB type added. We can come back as built at LB and be just fine.

 

[neosapien23]

Lawson is a great athlete but at 6-6 I'm not sure he can pull off linebacker. But he's an option. Howard is the same size as Burnett! He's a playmaker. We will bring Fujita back as well.

Not address FS? So we have another season "Lost" watching Santana Moss behind our safeties? Yet another season of watching Roy and Davis toasted deep down field would be a critical mistake, But heck - it only cost us a playoff spot this year so at this point I guess I can't debate we will address in 06 draft. Because we have a proven proclivity for leaving that hole wide open.

This team has major offensive Ills - I can't see us taking 2 day 1 LB's. Just not happening.

Playmaking WR/TE
Oline
NT
FS

More pressing needs - Maybe 1 LB type added. We can come back as built at LB and be just fine.

Isn't Ware the same height? They are the same exact person.

 

[ddh33]

Thomas Howard intrigues me from the things that are written. He used to be a DB, so he should be able to cover very well for a LB. He's done a great job of adding weight. He is extremely fast. He's a great blitzer.

Now, if his size and weight are correct, then he's someone who would really have my attention. If he shows up at the combine at only 225-230, then I'm not quite as interested.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Yeah, Thomas Howard strikes me as a Derrick Brooks type. I'm not sure how well he would fit in this defense.

 

[Nors]

Isn't Ware the same height? They are the same exact person.

Ware is 6-4 250

Classis 3-4 Tweener. Lawson played two years at backup LB and only prospered at DE. He's going to be a workout warrior. We don't need another Ware.

We need a playmake opposite side. Carl Banks of this draft?

Personally I go get Abraham and go to a 3-4 base with more 4-3 looks...... Carpenter is flavor pick of the week and a nice thought second round if there..... I like adding Howards playmaking abilities - he's also an edge rusher in a LB body.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Rush - I'm well aware of that. You have done a great job of mentioning that over time. I just am not sure Parcells brings anothe hybrid in at this point opposite Ware and Thornton.

I'm moving to a Howard type. A 6-3 240 LB with edge rush skills and top flite speed and playmaking upside.

Schleigel inside early Day 2.


Carpenter is starting to get overhyped by Boys fans. Kinda like this years version of Mike Williams as a must have homer type pick here.

what is the FS/S pecking order for us?

Huff
Blue
Simpson
Smith

Sleeper - McCleskey - Cal
Bing

I think Huff is long gone by #18 because of the Thorpe award, & his play against USC. I freaking love Blue. Some are putting him in the second rd., but I would have no problem hearing his name at #18! I watched him almost single-handedly destroy Tennessee's offense. Seemed like the guy was everywhere. That is what you want in your FS. Hits like a bull, and is a ball magnet. I don't buy the low int. balony. The dude is a flat out player. With his catch up speed, and his nose for the ball, he will get his ints.