Bobby Carpenter

[Evan]

Biggest bust in Cowboys modern era?

Starting from 88.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Cowboys#All-time_first-round_draft_picks

[degenerate_gambler]

Biggest bust in Cowboys modern era?

Starting from 88.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Cowboys#All-time_first-round_draft_picks



maybe..

but Shante Carver was nothing to write home about either.

[Evan]

mmmmmmmm...good one. But he at least started for awhile at some point right?

[monosylab1k]

I think as far as the bang-to-hype ratio goes, David LaFleur is the biggest bust.

But just as far as how high the pick is compared to how shitty they are, Carpenter is definitely the worst. Although I kinda got the impression that most Cowboys fans almost expected him to be a bust as soon as they got him.

[Evan]

I think as far as the bang-to-hype ratio goes, David LaFleur is the biggest bust.

Yeah if you're talking bang to hype, for sure.


But just as far as how high the pick is compared to how shitty they are, Carpenter is definitely the worst. Although I kinda got the impression that most Cowboys fans almost expected him to be a bust as soon as they got him.

Agree. I think most people groaned right away knowing Bill only drafted him because of his effing dad.

[samikeyp]

I think as far as the bang-to-hype ratio goes, David LaFleur is the biggest bust.

But just as far as how high the pick is compared to how shitty they are, Carpenter is definitely the worst. Although I kinda got the impression that most Cowboys fans almost expected him to be a bust as soon as they got him.

true

[Evan]

Man…this area was so fired up for David but it was such a reach. I think that was the first year the draft really became an event if I am not mistaken…on ESPN2?

[mardigan]

Ill wait to see him play before calling him a bust.

[Evan]

Ill wait to see him play before calling him a bust.

:rollin

[mardigan]

:rollin

How exactly would I be able to judge?

[mardigan]

And Ebenezer is my answer. Or maybe Marcus Spears.

[Evan]

And Ebenezer is my answer.

Naw. He didn't solve what was at the time a massive hole on the team but he at least started and held his own. the dude is still playing and was drafted in the 20's.

Bobby won't be playing in 3 years.

[mardigan]

Naw. He didn't solve what was at the time a massive hole on the team but he at least started and held his own. the dude is still playing and was drafted in the 20's.

Bobby won't be playing in 3 years.

Ekuban sucked, and never held his own. Carpenter hasnt had a chance to play with the lb depth on the team, and the one time I saw him get minutes (the Seahawks game in the playoffs), he played damn well. I remember Chiefs fans saying the same thing about Larry Johnson a couple of years ago as well.

[monosylab1k]

Carpenter hasnt had a chance to play with the lb depth on the team

?

The Cowboys basically gave Ayodele away in the Fasano trade and are trusting in an old guy with a concussion problem. Carpenter can't get onto the field because he sucks.

[Evan]

Ekuban sucked, and never held his own. Carpenter hasnt had a chance to play with the lb depth on the team, and the one time I saw him get minutes (the Seahawks game in the playoffs), he played damn well. I remember Chiefs fans saying the same thing about Larry Johnson a couple of years ago as well.

Ekuban has done 10x more than Bobby will do. EE was a spare but thats more than Bobby is right now.

When your a first round pick in the teens you should have forced your way onto the field by now.

[mardigan]

?

The Cowboys basically gave Ayodele away in the Fasano trade and are trusting in an old guy with a concussion problem. Carpenter can't get onto the field because he sucks.

Carpenter isnt a middle linebacker, he was converted because of the depth at outside lb. He now is one of the best back ups the Boys have, as he can play any lb spot they need him at. Getting rid of Akin reflects more on him than Bobby. Maybe you guys are right, maybe he will suck, but none of you have any proof, other than the fact that he couldnt beat out two pro-bowlers to get on the field.

[monosylab1k]

other than the fact that he couldnt beat out two pro-bowlers to get on the field.

Neither has Kevin Burnett, but at least he's found a way to make a decent impact on the team.

[Evan]

Maybe you guys are right, maybe he will suck, but none of you have any proof, other than the fact that he couldnt beat out two pro-bowlers to get on the field.

Fine...if he can't start so be it but why is it he can't get worked into the game plan at all? He is a non impact player...yeah he gets onto special teams but this is a high first round pick.

There is a quote from Jerry this weekend even aluding that he is a bust.

I'm paraphrasing....

"Bobby wasn't Bills fault, it was a team decision so it was all of our faults"

[Evan]

And maybe he does get it together but it isn't looking good at all.

[mardigan]

IRVING, Texas - He was once an outside linebacker they moved inside. Then out of necessity the end of his rookie season he was moved back outside.

By time his second season rolled around, he was moved back inside on the Cowboys' 3-4 defense, and guess what? Now he has been moved to the other inside linebacker spot.

Such is the life of Bobby Carpenter, the Cowboys 2006 first-round draft choice who might finally have found a home on this team.

"I think it's an opportunity to play," said Carpenter, who will be competing with 35-year-old veteran Zach Thomas for the starting "Mo" inside backer spot vacated by the trade of two-year starter Akin Ayodele to Miami the day before the draft. "Wade told me they were moving me to where Akin was playing.

"I'm excited about the move."

The Cowboys are looking for the linebacker at that spot, more of a move guy, to make more plays. Ayodele finished fourth on the team in 2007 with 95 tackles but only two for losses and just one quarterback pressure.

Carpenter was still at The Ranch during the noon hour on Friday when the rookies and first-year free agents came into the locker room after the first of two mini-camp practices. Not long ago Carpenter was one of those guys, hoping for an opportunity that never really came after veteran Greg Ellis successfully recovered from his torn Achilles and made the transition from defensive end in a 4-3 defensive to outside linebacker in Bill Parcells' version of the 3-4.

The Cowboys had drafted Carpenter in the first round out of Ohio State with the idea of insuring that outside spot against Ellis either not making it back physically or making the transition adequately enough. Once Ellis did, Carpenter was moved inside behind middle linebacker Bradie James.


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=AC067EA7-BB86-45B6-04D56F653F8BD13F

[Evan]

Well, I hope he makes it. The dude seems like a good guy. Its just frusrating not seeing him have an impact.

There is no reason why he shouldn't beat out Zack Thomas. I think this year we will know for sure if he has anything because there is no way Zack stays healthy. Anyone seen a recent interview with him? He sounds Punch Drunk...I felt pretty bad for him listening to him talk.

[degenerate_gambler]

Anyone seen a recent interview with him? He sounds Punch Drunk...I felt pretty bad for him listening to him talk.


Yeah, I can't see how this guy is not going to have some major health issues somewhere down the line. I hope not but, you can't have your bell rung like that so often and not have to pay the piper at some point.

[Evan]

Yeah, I can't see how this guy is not going to have some major health issues somewhere down the line. I hope not but, you can't have your bell rung like that so often and not have to pay the piper at some point.

I was watching it thinking..."I never want to see this guy play!" It was depressing. I hope he has a injury that forces him to retire. One that doesn't affect the head mind you.

[scott]

Even despite being a starter from Day 1 and making multiple pro-bowls, I vote for Roy Williams.

[O-Factor]

Biggest bust in Cowboys modern era?

Starting from 88.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Cowboys#All-time_first-round_draft_picks

Joey Galloway, cost us two 1st round picks in 2000 and 2001

with all due respect to David LaFleur

[Evan]

Joey Galloway, cost us two 1st round picks in 2000 and 2001

with all due respect to David LaFleur

The spirit of my post was draft but if we're talking about any player....

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm................

Man you just may be right.....

[DBryant88]

The only reason we drafted Carpenter was because A.J Hawk made him look good in Ohio and Hawk is still doing good but Carpenter has nobody to lean on at middle linebacker

[fyatuk]

Biggest bust in Cowboys modern era?

Starting from 88.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Cowboys#All-time_first-round_draft_picks

Are we including Supplemental draft? If so, I'd vote for Steve Walsh.

Carpenter has been solid when he's been in there for the most part. Certainly not first-rounder worthy (more like third), but the Cowboys have gotten less value on many draft picks.

[Evan]

Are we including Supplemental draft? If so, I'd vote for Steve Walsh.

Carpenter has been solid when he's been in there for the most part. Certainly not first-rounder worthy (more like third), but the Cowboys have gotten less value on many draft picks.

I guess this includes anyone you want.

Steve Walsh is an interesting name

[Thunder Dan]

The only reason we drafted Carpenter was because A.J Hawk made him look good in Ohio and Hawk is still doing good but Carpenter has nobody to lean on at middle linebacker

AJ was such a stud in college that teams often times ran to the opposite side of the field to avoid him which was Bobby's side. Because of that it inflated his numbers. I still think he is a good player and will be in the league for awhile, but he isn't 1st round caliber.

[samikeyp]

I'm still not sold on Carpenter being anything more than a special teamer and backup. Dallas should see how bad the Tuna really likes the kid and get something in trade.

[Evan]

I'm still not sold on Carpenter being anything more than a special teamer and backup. Dallas should see how bad the Tuna really likes the kid and get something in trade.

I will say this in defense of Bill…I have heard him say over and over since he got here that "In the draft, it you hit on half of them its an amazing draft"

I guess that’s true

[leemajors]

sherrard?

[O-Factor]

The spirit of my post was draft but if we're talking about any player....

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm................

Man you just may be right.....

For me that was the biggest waste of not one, but two 1st round draft picks.

[O-Factor]

Im not sold on Carpenter being a bust or not, I haven't seen him play much. He was a 1st round pick so he should of seen the field by now, but we have been pretty solid at LB so its been hard for him to break into the starting lineup.

I think we will see him on the field more this year with Akin out of the picture, and even with Zack Thomas on the team.

[Evan]

For me that was the biggest waste of not one, but two 1st round draft picks.

I have changed my mind completely. You're right.

Losing those two first round picks screwed this organization for many years afterwards. Even though I was thinking draft only, over all it has to be the Joey G trade.

This team is strong enough to where they can absorb the Bobby bust, the weren't when they mortgaged their future for Joey.

[Evan]

Im not sold on Carpenter being a bust or not, I haven't seen him play much. He was a 1st round pick so he should of seen the field by now, but we have been pretty solid at LB so its been hard for him to break into the starting lineup.

I think we will see him on the field more this year with Akin out of the picture, and even with Zack Thomas on the team.

I still say a true first round pick should have forced their way onto this team by now for a least a respectable amount of playing time. He isn't good enough for at least 30% of the plays to give other guys a breather?

[GaryJohnston]

Maybe Carpenter just isn't good enough? Either way the Cowboys are in great shape as far as linebacker depth goes.

[Evan]

lol "Blowbby" Carpenter

wow...thats some serious comedy right there.

[degenerate_gambler]

...they weren't when they mortgaged their future for Joey.


on the flip side of that though, they had lost Irvin for good to his injury in Philly and needed a playmaker badly. Then he wrecks his knee in his first game for dallas and never gets a chance to play with Aikman who retired after his concussion against Washington in 2000.

Then he had to put up with Quincy Carter, et al for the rest of his time in Dallas.


But yeah, two number 1's was a high, high price to pay.

[jack sommerset]

Dwayne Goodrich 1999 or 2000.2nd round. Guy stunk plus he killed 2 people a few years after he was drafted and I think he is in jail still.

[Obstructed_View]

Ekuban sucked, and never held his own. Carpenter hasnt had a chance to play with the lb depth on the team, and the one time I saw him get minutes (the Seahawks game in the playoffs), he played damn well. I remember Chiefs fans saying the same thing about Larry Johnson a couple of years ago as well.

He was very good in that game.

[DBryant88]

the only reason why we drafted carpenter is because his father plyed for the "tuna" when he coached for the giants he really isn't 1st round material. More like 3-4 round we should have shipped him off to miami instead of ayodele. he was a solid 3 down linebacker:bang

[mardigan]

IRVING, Texas - Today, call me Curious Mick.

See, I'm just curious how everyone seems so sure Bobby Carpenter can't play, that the 2006 first-round draft choice is a bust and should be traded for a 50-pound bag of salted-in-the-shell peanuts.

Now I'm not saying he can or he isn't. Maybe he can't and he is.

But how do we know? How are so many so sure? My point is, we really just don't know.

Ever since Carpenter set foot in The Ranch, he's been a man without a position - a man without a legitimate chance to succeed or totally fail. He's only been able to nibble.

The Cowboys drafted the Ohio State 4-3 outside linebacker with the idea of moving him to the strong outside linebacker spot in their 3-4 defense. He was going to be insurance, albeit expensive, against defensive end Greg Ellis failing to make the same conversion to outside linebacker in the 3-4 rookie defensive end DeMarcus Ware did in 2005 or continuing to balk against the move.

Well, as it turned out Ellis finally gave in - begrudgingly - at the start of training camp and became a hit over there. And since that outside linebacker spot was the only place veteran Al Singleton could play and with Kevin Burnett behind Ware, the Cowboys moved Carpenter inside.

Great. Just what you want to do with a rookie. Not only change his position once at the highest level of football, but twice in the matter of a few months. Plus, while he dabbled at inside linebacker in college, that was not in a 3-4 and not the strong-side middle guy.

Now don't start rolling your eyes, acting as if I'm making excuses for Carpenter. I'm not, and the best thing about Carpenter, he doesn't want any excuses either. Even when I offered him one, he said, "This is a performance-based business and you got to come out and perform. I would not ever justify failure."

But again, these are just the facts.

So let's see, Ellis blows out his Achilles in the ninth game of the 2006 season. The veteran Singleton becomes the starter, yet struggles. He just wasn't built right to play that outside spot in the 3-4. The Cowboys began to struggle against the run and the hard-working Singleton was no threat to rush the quarterback.

Yo, Carpenter, get your butt back to outside left linebacker. Hurry! Slowly he made his way onto the field. He got a sack of Michael Vick in Game 14. Recorded a then career-high three tackles the next week against the Eagles. And in Game 16 against Detroit, Carpenter earned his first NFL start, recording two more tackles and a pass breakup.

That earned him the start against Seattle in the playoff game, the Cowboys realizes they needed his speed and versatility on the outside. He would produce the best game of his NFL career: Five tackles, one for a loss and three passes broken up. He was part of a defense which limited Seattle running back Shaun Alexander to 69 yards rushing, with 20 of those coming on that run from the Seahawks one in the final minute after the Cowboys botched the potential game-winning field goal attempt.

Well.

But what happens in the off-season? Fearing Ellis might not return from his torn Achilles, the Cowboys draft another college defensive end in the first round (Anthony Spencer) with the idea of converting him to an outside linebacker. The Cowboys were short on inside guys. Not to worry, Carpenter can do it, and here he went, back inside once it became apparent Ellis would be able to get back in time for the start of the season.

Now he got a chance to start in place of Bradie James in a preseason game. He did not play well, burying himself in the minds of the new coaching staff. He would become a full-time special teams player.

Funny, though, my final 2007 season stat sheets says he finished with 21 special teams tackles, second to only Patrick Watkins and three ahead of Burnett and special teams ace Keith Davis.

Yet so many remain convinced he's a bust.

Maybe not Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips anymore. He said as much toward the end of last season, admitting Carpenter got buried after his horrible performance in that preseason game at a position he wasn't very familiar with. And he said it again after the draft, saying they probably need to give Carpenter a legitimate chance once and for all to see what they can get out of their first-round pick.

Yeah, the Cowboys signed 12-year veteran Zach Thomas in the off-season, their only free-agent signing so far. And yeah, Thomas' presence was the impetus for including two-year starter Akin Ayodele in that trade with Miami.

But this Cowboys coaching staff also had in mind clearing the way to give Carpenter and Burnett a chance to earn snaps at Ayodele's position, the weak inside linebacker spot better known as "Mo," as opposed to James' "Mike." Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart had a sit down in front of the racquetball courts with Burnett the day the Ayodele deal went down, telling last nickel's inside linebacker in the final year of his four-year contract how this was his big chance. Phillips told Carpenter as much.

"Wade told me he was moving me to where Akin was playing," Carpenter said, "and I'm excited to play 'Mo,' excited about the move."

The move makes sense for both guys. Where James must take on more blockers in the middle, the "Mo" spot is covered up, giving that linebacker a better chance to freely run to the ball and makes plays. Ayodele didn't hurt the Cowboys his two years starting, but Phillips wanted someone who made more plays - someone to make a bigger impact.

"I think Bobby's got a wonderful attitude and he works very hard at it," Phillips said, "and I'm hoping he comes through, not only for us but for himself because he has a lot of pride, and like I said, he's one of the hardest workers we have.

"He was kind of demoted last year and didn't get to play a lot, and he practiced just as hard, every day, and tried to do everything he could on special teams. He's a great kid, and I'm hoping things work out well for him - and that would help us, too."

Carpenter, when he got his two chances to start in 2006, showed he does have ability to run to the football. And he did a good job of sealing the outside against the run and jumping outside into the flat to defend the short passes to the running backs and fullbacks teams riddled the Cowboys with late in that 2006 season, starting with New Orleans.

Carpenter can't wait. He's a proud kid, the son of former Giants running back Rob Carpenter, and he knows what's been said about him. He knows how the media has written him off. He didn't - or probably couldn't - turn a deaf ear to all the trade insinuations being made in the past months, having become every blogging Tom, Dick and Harry's favorite piece of trade bait.

He even figured I thought he "was going to get traded," and while he didn't "anticipate getting traded," just getting moved to a position more suited to his skills already is boosting his confidence. He figures at least now, providing there are no more position changes, he's got a legitimate chance to compete for some playing time.

"Hopefully I've found a home there," Carpenter said.

Which would be a first with the Cowboys.

And maybe now we'll finally be able to tell if he can or if he can't, if he is or if he isn't.

Aren't you curious, too?



http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?editorialAuthor=1&id=CA83E19C-9114-026F-7A48586D716B750D&page=1&endPoints=4348%2C7623