Why isn't Carpenter playing?

[Tass]

He has all the physical tools but he doesn't look willing to run thru a brick wall to make a play. That Rogers guy plays with more heart than Carpenter. It pains me to say this because I was very excited when we drafted him. Someone needs to infuse this kid with some fire.

 

[tomson75]

I'm leaning that way myself. I thought he'd be the perfect fit for the 3-4. He doesn't look like the player he was in college.

Don't get it. He should have the skills. He looked good in limited exposure last year.

I feel the same way. Having watched him play ten or so games in college, I thought I had a better grasp on where he was at. His physical skillset is outstanding, perhaps better than any other LB on the team not named Ware. I'm more frustrated than anything else, but I'll admit I'm also dissapointed in what I've seen from him this year...mostly because he showed so much pormise late last year. I don't get it. He needs to pick it up.

He's not playing well, but he's got time to prove himself, because he's not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[AdamJT13]

Carpenter isn't playing much because he's a backup. He'll play more when someone gets hurt.

 

[ZeroClub]

Fans should be skeptical when the front office's draft day proclamation is that the 1st round draft choice is a "safe pick" who is a solid, steady, but unspectacular player.

When the front office feels compelled to lower expectations on a player, sometimes it means that the player merits lower expectations.

 

[Clove]

Carpenter isn't playing much because he's a backup. He'll play more when someone gets hurt.

Honestly, he shouldn't be a backup. He's a 1st round pick in his second year, and if Spencer can start, he should be able to at least beat out Akin Ayodele.]

Speaking of Ayodele, I am also wondering where his production's been. I've seen James all over the place, but I rarely see Ayodele doing anything. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It's the hair. He looks like an ugly girl. Gotta look the part of a tough, inside LBer.

 

[Clove]

It's the hair. He looks like an ugly girl. Gotta look the part of a tough, inside LBer.

I actually like the hair. If he can grow a scruffy beard, then I'd like the hair even more. But to have a baby face, and the nice hair, not a good mix. Grow some facial hair Carp.

 

[eduncan22]

Interesting comments...but here's one that you might have missed....

The reason he's not playing/starting right now...


Money.

Here's some contract info:

James 5 yrs 20 mil
Ayodele 5 yrs 17.5 mil

Carp 5 yrs 12 mil

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Speaking of Ayodele, I am also wondering where his production's been. I've seen James all over the place, but I rarely see Ayodele doing anything. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yep. I don't know where he's gone.

 

[Bach]

Carpenter isn't playing much because he's a backup. He'll play more when someone gets hurt.

And he's a backup because he's not that good. Teams generally don't try to use first round picks on backups.

 

[InmanRoshi]

It's year 2. This is james' 5th season and he is JUST NOW looking really good.

Bradie James was maybe the best special teams player on the team in his rookie year. Year 2 he was sharing time in the starting spot. Year 3 he took the starting spot and played extremely well (well enough to earn a nice contract extension).

Note the progression from year to year? We're not seeing that from Carpenter thus far. If anything, he's going backwards. Did Carpenter even replace Bradie in the nickel yesterday?

 

[Concord]

Has anybody seen Akin Ayodele make a play yet this season.
Anyone?

At this point, I hope Burnett pushes himself into the starting lineup. Bradie has made his presence felt. Akin has been Claude Raines out on the field.

I was thinking the same thing yesterday...I don't remember hearing about or seeing him do anything.

 

[BigDFan5]

Interesting comments...but here's one that you might have missed....

The reason he's not playing/starting right now...


Money.

Here's some contract info:

James 5 yrs 20 mil
Ayodele 5 yrs 17.5 mil

Carp 5 yrs 12 mil

See yeag this was as we all thought an agenda post the whole time not a legit thread LOL

 

[InmanRoshi]

For all the Praise Bill received here for his uncanny ability to find talent....

so far it looks like....

Carp = bust
Spears = Bust
J.Jones = average

We all know how Bill whiffed on those OL....skyler Green...etc.

And we may have found a starting noseguard with a 7th round pick, our starting CB was a 7th round pick, Carp is sitting behind Bradie James who was a 4th round pick. Our starting RT who got a game ball yesterday was found on the streets .... and of course, our QB with a 98 QB rating through the first 12 games of his career was an undrafted free agent.

But Bill didn't have anything to do with those guys. Only the busts.

 

[Yeagermeister]

See yeag this was as we all thought an agenda post the whole time not a legit thread LOL

My point was at least let him say it first.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Carpenter has to be more aggressive against the run. Sometimes he appears to backoff when opposing teams run toward him.

That's what I saw time and time again when I watched him in preseason games. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.

 

[Sarge]

To be fair he has over 1530 posts and has not come up with a decent point in one of these type of threads yet. Its a preemptive move

.........................:laugh2:

 

[Chocolate Lab]

And we may have found a starting noseguard with a 7th round pick, our starting CB was a 7th round pick, Carp is sitting behind Bradie James who was a 4th round pick. Our starting RT who got a game ball yesterday was found on the streets .... and of course, our QB with a 98 QB rating through the first 12 games of his career was an undrafted free agent.

But Bill didn't have anything to do with those guys. Only the busts.

Don't forget Crayton.

I kept thinking yesterday that if we'd drafted our 1999 to 2002-style late round picks the last few years-- even with the first day still intact -- we'd have been in huge trouble. If Crayton, Ratliff, Reeves, and maybe even Nate Jones can't play, we're in big trouble... Maybe even the difference between winning and losing.

And BTW, I do see Carp making some special teams tackles now. But it still looks like he's going to end up a huge bust. Shame.

 

[BigDFan5]

My point was at least let him say it first.

No way man, preemptive strikes thats the way to go

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Interesting comments...but here's one that you might have missed....

The reason he's not playing/starting right now...


Money.

Here's some contract info:

James 5 yrs 20 mil
Ayodele 5 yrs 17.5 mil

Carp 5 yrs 12 mil

2.4 Million is a lot of money to pay a guy to be a special teams player.