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Carpenter covets last chance to play for OSU
Linebacker focuses on returning from injury to face Irish in Fiesta Bowl
[SIZE=-1]By Marla Ridenour[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Beacon Journal sportswriter[/SIZE]
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COLUMBUS - Bobby Carpenter talked and acted like the NFL combine was the furthest thing from his mind.
Ohio State's senior linebacker wants to be at his physical best when the annual timing and testing for pro prospects begins Feb. 22 in Indianapolis. But after breaking his right fibula Nov. 19 at Michigan, all Carpenter can think about is his final college game against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
Because the break was clean and stable, surgery was not required. The OSU medical staff gave Carpenter a six-to-eight-week timetable for recovery and the Jan. 2 game against the Irish in Tempe, Ariz., would be 45 days.
There are several lures for Carpenter. The two schools with such storied tradition have met only four times.
His teammates want to test themselves against junior quarterback Brady Quinn, a Columbus native, and coach Charlie Weis, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator. The Buckeyes seek to extend Notre Dame's seven-game losing streak in bowls.
One thing, though, looms above all else, and it has nothing to do with the NFL Draft on April 29-30.
``Really just to play with my teammates one last time,'' Carpenter said. ``We have a special relationship. It's really something you can't explain.''
Speaking to the media Sunday for the first time since he was injured, Carpenter never mentioned the combine. In addition, OSU usually holds its workout day for pro scouts in early March. Most would assume Carpenter wouldn't risk reinjuring his ankle or a setback in rehab to play against the Irish.
``That's not something I'm really looking at right now,'' Carpenter said of the combine. ``I'm trying to focus on getting healthy for any future endeavors -- this game as well as beyond that.
``If I get approved by doctors, I'm going to play. If on the 31st or the 1st I can't do what I need to do, they're not going to let me play. I'll help the young guys, help Anthony (Schlegel) and A.J. (Hawk) break down film. I'd really like to finish out my career there, but we'll see what happens.''
At Michigan, Carpenter said he got his foot stuck in the turf, and right tackle Jake Long fell on him.
Freshman James Laurinaitis took over, but the Buckeyes used primarily a nickel defense in the second half that had only seniors Hawk and Schlegel on the field. OSU departs for the bowl Dec. 26, and coach Jim Tressel said he won't know if Carpenter can play until they reach Arizona.
``He's going to be in that boot probably through practices here,'' Tressel said. ``Then it's strictly going to be up to X-rays and physicians' opinions. I'm going to be very conservative because I don't want to jeopardize his health or his future. I'm sure he's going to do whatever he can to get ready for this ballgame. I wouldn't even venture a guess what the chances are.''
Carpenter has started 26 games, 23 the past two years. This season he leads OSU in sacks (eight), ranks second in tackles for losses (10.5) and fifth in tackles (49).
Asked if a senior could show up and play in a bowl, Tressel said, ``It would be a little bit easier for a guy who's played that much than it would be for someone who's in an earlier stage of development. Would he be as good as he would be if he had a chance to practice every day up until then? Probably not. We don't overpractice our older guys, anyway, for bowls. But practice is important.''
Doctors told Carpenter that he suffered a less-severe version of the injury Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens experienced last December. Owens needed surgery but returned in seven weeks to play in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Carpenter hasn't been hurt since breaking his leg the last game of his junior year at Lancaster High School. The encouragement that he received from the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor is one reason he wants to suit up with them again.
``There were guys who came up and said, `We're going to win this for you. Make sure you have a good experience your last game here whether you're on the field or not,' '' Carpenter said. ``It was an emotional thing for me and my teammates. I love playing with those guys.''
