What Should We Expect From Bruce Carter In 2014?

[KJJ]

Most 3rd year players aren't changing to a new scheme.

Being a 3rd year player you would have thought he would have been able to adjust as the season went on. Lee struggled some early in Kiffin's scheme but he adjusted and began playing at a pro bowl level until he got injured. Lee has looked like a great player ever since his rookie year he just can't stay healthy. Carter looked lost defending the pass and the run last season. Some of his poor play had nothing to do with the scheme. In week 2 vs KC he missed a 3rd down tackle on Jamaal Charles late in the 4th quarter that pretty much ended the Cowboys chances. The Chiefs who were up by a point decided not to risk a mistake by throwing the ball on a 3rd and long so they handed it to Charles.

It was routine running play just to eat up some of the clock. Carter came up and had Charles wrapped up for the tackle at least 5 yards short of the first down but Charles who's not the biggest back dragged Carter at least 6 yards to keep the chains moving. I don't think Bo Jackson abused Brain Bosworth as bad as Charles abused Carter on that play. If it was just Carter trying to adjust to a new scheme I doubt the Cowboys would have benched him for a couple of games. It was obvious they were put off by his poor play. Hopefully he'll bounce back and have a solid 2014 season.

 

[CF74]

He broke an elbow once...

 

[adbutcher]

Being a 3rd year player you would have thought he would have been able to adjust as the season went on. Lee struggled some early in Kiffin's scheme but he adjusted and began playing at a pro bowl level until he got injured. Lee has looked like a great player ever since his rookie year he just can't stay healthy. Carter looked lost defending the pass and the run last season. Some of his poor play had nothing to do with the scheme. In week 2 vs KC he missed a 3rd down tackle on Jamaal Charles late in the 4th quarter that pretty much ended the Cowboys chances. The Chiefs who were up by a point decided not to risk a mistake by throwing the ball on a 3rd and long so they handed it to Charles.

It was routine running play just to eat up some of the clock. Carter came up and had Charles wrapped up for the tackle at least 5 yards short of the first down but Charles who's not the biggest back dragged Carter at least 6 yards to keep the chains moving. I don't think Bo Jackson abused Brain Bosworth as bad as Charles abused Carter on that play. If it was just Carter trying to adjust to a new scheme I doubt the Cowboys would have benched him for a couple of games. It was obvious they were put off by his poor play. Hopefully he'll bounce back and have a solid 2014 season.

There were plenty of LBs, DLs, and DBs missing tackles on Charles, player miss plays, the opposition is trying too. Carter was less than perfect last year but he played great the year before. He has earned the benefit of doubt given his age, size, and athleticism.

Some players adjust to different schemes better than most but Lee was far from perfect even before he got hurt. Putting your left hand in the dirt oppose to putting your right hand in the dirt can take some players damn near a season to adjust while others would only need to do it once before it looks like they have always played that way.

 

[TheDude]

This is a great question. I have no idea.

I know people are down on him, but the fact is he's looked great as often as he's looked terrible. Injured the first year, great the 2nd year, terrible the 3rd year. Is he just a bad fit for this defense? I don't buy that. I thought he was a natural 4-3 backer when he was drafted and semi-criticized the pick for it.

I don't have a clue how he's going to play but he's the Cowboys' only hope for an impact player in their LB corp this year.

What about hitchens? His 3-cone was noteworthy

 

[KJJ]

There were plenty of LBs, DLs, and DBs missing tackles on Charles, player miss plays, the opposition is trying too. Carter was less than perfect last year but he played great the year before. He has earned the benefit of doubt given his age, size, and athleticism.

Some players adjust to different schemes better than most but Lee was far from perfect even before he got hurt. Putting your left hand in the dirt oppose to putting your right hand in the dirt can take some players damn near a season to adjust while others would only need to do it once before it looks like they have always played that way.

No one missed a cleaner tackle on Charles than Carter who had him wrapped up but couldn't get him on the ground on a very critical 3rd down play. His biggest issues came in coverage especially against San Diego when Woodhead beat him for a couple of scores. He was so poor in coverage the Cowboys benched him for the Denver game.

I mentioned Lee had some struggles himself last season. He gave up a TD being out of position but adjusted leading the team with 4 int's. A lot of the issues with the defense is players being out of position this happened under Ryan. There's a lot of confusion on defense Garrett addressed it after last season.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

You gotta luv his 'athleticableability', it's his 'coachableability' that you have to question.

 

[Bullflop]

You gotta luv his 'athleticableability', it's his 'coachableability' that you have to question.

Agreed. From the neck down, he's about as good as it gets. Most of his problems come from between the ears. He's had the entire offseason to study his playbook and wrap his head around his assignments. Maybe the extra time has helped. I surely do hope so.

 

[jobberone]

This is a great question. I have no idea.

I know people are down on him, but the fact is he's looked great as often as he's looked terrible. Injured the first year, great the 2nd year, terrible the 3rd year. Is he just a bad fit for this defense? I don't buy that. I thought he was a natural 4-3 backer when he was drafted and semi-criticized the pick for it.

I don't have a clue how he's going to play but he's the Cowboys' only hope for an impact player in their LB corp this year.

Good post. I have no clue either. He should be another Willis. Instead he plays like a Sims at times.

 

[jnday]

Good post. I have no clue either. He should be another Willis. Instead he plays like a Sims at times.

It must be snowing in hell because me , you and Risen agree. Carter has too much ability for him to play so bad at times. It really makes me question what makes the guy tick. I can't figure out if he is just lazy or dumb. Another question that comes to mind is " does he really like to play the game"? It has to be a problem with his motivation.

 

[casmith07]

There were plenty of LBs, DLs, and DBs missing tackles on Charles, player miss plays, the opposition is trying too. Carter was less than perfect last year but he played great the year before. He has earned the benefit of doubt given his age, size, and athleticism.

Some players adjust to different schemes better than most but Lee was far from perfect even before he got hurt. Putting your left hand in the dirt oppose to putting your right hand in the dirt can take some players damn near a season to adjust while others would only need to do it once before it looks like they have always played that way.

He's a bum, they should cut him now since he's not picking out a spot for his bust in Canton by year 4, etc. etc.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Being a 3rd year player you would have thought he would have been able to adjust as the season went on. Lee struggled some early in Kiffin's scheme but he adjusted and began playing at a pro bowl level until he got injured. Lee has looked like a great player ever since his rookie year he just can't stay healthy. Carter looked lost defending the pass and the run last season. Some of his poor play had nothing to do with the scheme. In week 2 vs KC he missed a 3rd down tackle on Jamaal Charles late in the 4th quarter that pretty much ended the Cowboys chances. The Chiefs who were up by a point decided not to risk a mistake by throwing the ball on a 3rd and long so they handed it to Charles.

It was routine running play just to eat up some of the clock. Carter came up and had Charles wrapped up for the tackle at least 5 yards short of the first down but Charles who's not the biggest back dragged Carter at least 6 yards to keep the chains moving. I don't think Bo Jackson abused Brain Bosworth as bad as Charles abused Carter on that play. If it was just Carter trying to adjust to a new scheme I doubt the Cowboys would have benched him for a couple of games. It was obvious they were put off by his poor play. Hopefully he'll bounce back and have a solid 2014 season.

As a Cowboys fan, you would have thought you would have watched the games to see that he did adjust. The Chiefs game was in the first weeks of the season.

How many deep passes, did he give up? I count 3 one of which was an excellent play that Coughlin drew up to pin him inside while he sent the TE up the sideline in the second Giants game. The other two are well documented and belabored.

Looked lost? Please point to me the plays in the second half of the season ie post the Minny game on where that is the case. In coverage he made plays on third down to snuff out short passes for short games and get off the field against Giants, Minny, and Oakland. He was executing coverage and despite the DT against the run that was putrid in holding the LOS, he was taking on that extra blocker on the weakside.

 

[KJJ]

As a Cowboys fan, you would have thought you would have watched the games to see that he did adjust. The Chiefs game was in the first weeks of the season.

How many deep passes, did he give up? I count 3 one of which was an excellent play that Coughlin drew up to pin him inside while he sent the TE up the sideline in the second Giants game. The other two are well documented and belabored.

Looked lost? Please point to me the plays in the second half of the season ie post the Minny game on where that is the case. In coverage he made plays on third down to snuff out short passes for short games and get off the field against Giants, Minny, and Oakland. He was executing coverage and despite the DT against the run that was putrid in holding the LOS, he was taking on that extra blocker on the weakside.

I watched the games and Carter regressed last season he was better in 2012. It was his performance in 2012 that had many thinking 2013 would be his breakout season. I have no idea how many deep passes he gave up but he looked totally lost vs San Diego getting beat for 2 TD's. It was his struggles in pass coverage that got him benched for the Denver game. The Cowboys feared he would get eaten alive by the Broncos passing attack. A lot was expected of Carter in 2013 and he didn't live up to the expectations. He had some better games the second half of the season but overall he disappointed in 2013.

 

[jobberone]

It must be snowing in hell because me , you and Risen agree. Carter has too much ability for him to play so bad at times. It really makes me question what makes the guy tick. I can't figure out if he is just lazy or dumb. Another question that comes to mind is " does he really like to play the game"? It has to be a problem with his motivation.

LOL.

I really have no clue. It almost has to be mental but that I don't have any idea what part of the mental aspect it is. I doubt it is because he doesn't like football or can't learn the NFL game. Switching positions can make you look stupid at times (trust me). We'll just have to give it a wait.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

I think the entire team, including Carter, suffer from bad coaching....The END...

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I watched the games and Carter regressed last season he was better in 2012. It was his performance in 2012 that had many thinking 2013 would be his breakout season. I have no idea how many deep passes he gave up but he looked totally lost vs San Diego getting beat for 2 TD's. It was his struggles in pass coverage that got him benched for the Denver game. The Cowboys feared he would get eaten alive by the Broncos passing attack. A lot was expected of Carter in 2013 and he didn't live up to the expectations. He had some better games the second half of the season but overall he disappointed in 2013.

How is running stride for stride with Woodhead being lost? He was beat by good throws and acted like an 8 year old after but I don't see lost.

He has no mental toughness. I imagine the coaching staff soured on him especially Garrett considering how he talks about RKG maintaining focus after facing adversity. I figure he needs to man up more than he needs to figure things out.

You can watch him make great stops in the short zone where he snuffs out quick backs and slot receivers for 3 yards or less. My issue is that he is still giving up on plays versus the Giants in week 10. He played well the rest of the game but can you really count on him when the pressure is really on? If he gives up a completion in the playoffs then can you depend on him to keep his head in the game. Right now I do not think that you can fairly say that you can.

Carter really is not in a bad spot. He has a chance at redemption. It all on him now.

 

[KJJ]

How is running stride for stride with Woodhead being lost? He was beat by good throws and acted like an 8 year old after but I don't see lost.

He has no mental toughness. I imagine the coaching staff soured on him especially Garrett considering how he talks about RKG maintaining focus after facing adversity. I figure he needs to man up more than he needs to figure things out.

You can watch him make great stops in the short zone where he snuffs out quick backs and slot receivers for 3 yards or less. My issue is that he is still giving up on plays versus the Giants in week 10. He played well the rest of the game but can you really count on him when the pressure is really on? If he gives up a completion in the playoffs then can you depend on him to keep his head in the game. Right now I do not think that you can fairly say that you can.

Carter really is not in a bad spot. He has a chance at redemption. It all on him now.

If he was beat by good throws than why did the Cowboys bench him the following week vs Denver? He couldn't stay with Danny Woodhead for crying out loud. Were you happy with Carters play last season? You didn't see any regression in his play from 2012 to 2013?

 

[guag]

I think the entire team, including Carter, suffer from bad coaching....The END...

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If he was beat by good throws than why did the Cowboys bench him the following week vs Denver? He couldn't stay with Danny Woodhead for crying out loud. Were you happy with Carters play last season? You didn't see any regression in his play from 2012 to 2013?

because of the way that he reacted to getting beat. How many times have you heard Garrett talking about how he wants players that have mental toughness and can handle adversity and still play at a high level?

he is mentally soft and has demonstrated that. What I have not seen are play after play where he is clueless like say with Sims for Lawrence

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If he was beat by good throws than why did the Cowboys bench him the following week vs Denver? He couldn't stay with Danny Woodhead for crying out loud. Were you happy with Carters play last season? You didn't see any regression in his play from 2012 to 2013?

he had inside leverage with single coverage and was running stride for stride the Throne was to the outside and rivers threw him open it is what it is

 

[OhSnap]

He's gonna have a great career but but he's a slow learner at best.