LB Bobby Carpenter (All B1G, National Champion)

[Bestbuck36]

By mid-season this year I think Dallas will have a top 3 defense. They are pretty stacked if they stay healthy.

 

[Buckskin86]

Cowboys | Carpenter works at middle linebacker with second team
Sun, 13 May 2007 05:38:09 -0700

Josh Ellis, of DallasCowboys.com, reports Dallas Cowboys LB Bobby Carpenter worked at middle linebacker with the second-team defense Saturday, May 12.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

 

[Buckskin86]

Carpenter nails down his new role
By RICK HERRIN
Star-Telegram staff writer

Carpenter has been moved back inside, where he began last year, and enters the season as a backup. But he's not expected to struggle there like he did in Parcells' scheme. New coach Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense allows more flexibility to play with an aggressive style. Carpenter believes this scheme fits him better and is closer to the role he starred in at Ohio State.

Part of the reason Phillips moved Carpenter back inside was his running and pass-coverage ability.

"He's very athletic," Phillips said. "He can run. You put him in the middle and let him run to the ball and he's going to get there."

http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/106217.html

 

[mooktarr]

Very glad to hear Bob is doing great. I expect a lot of fun watching him this year.

 

[Buckskin86]

Cowboys roster analysis: LB
04:33 PM CDT on Thursday, July 12, 2007

Carpenter blossomed late last season and was the Cowboys' best defender in the playoff loss at Seattle. Kind of a tweener at the linebacker spot because he's not as tall as you'd like to play outside, but he has pass-rush skills. He is a more natural fit on the inside and needs to continue improving his ability to shed blockers.

Cowboys roster analysis: LB | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | SportsDay: Football: Cowboys

 

[buff2506]

My daughter Baylee and I just came from the autograph signing at Zanesville with Bobby, Doug Datish and Troy Smith. They were all very polite and eager to be in pics with my daughter. I told them we use the pics for a fundraiser we have in honor of Baylee for The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. We have had it 4 years in a row (the last one being in March in Zanesville). This disease has no cure as of yet, and all money generated from fundraising goes to the aid of research. I gave them all UMDF bracelets and hopefully will catch a glimpse of one of them wearing it. One who we know will be wearing is AJ Hawk. He plays against the Giants the 2nd week of the season and as it plays out, that Sunday (16th of Sept) marks the beginning of Mito Awareness week in New Jersey. Since the Giants actually play in Jersey, I contacted him through his father and asked him to wear the bracelet while he was in Jersey. He agreed as will his wife Laura. AJ has helped us big with signin stuff for the benefit. Go to United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation to learn more and Baylee's website is CaringBridge - Be There ~ Helping friends and family stay in touch and informed

 

[Buckskin86]

Camp Notes: Carpenter Gaining Inside Knowledge
Zach Buchanan - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
July 30, 2007 7:19 PM

SAN ANTONIO - Linebackers get all the attention these days. DeMarcus Ware is a monster, Anthony Spencer is blossoming and Greg Ellis is, well, unhappy.

But perhaps the linebacker who has had to make the biggest adjustment is Bobby Carpenter. Carpenter, last year's first-round draft pick, has been playing inside linebacker in training camp this year, whereas last year ended up splitting his time between outside linebacker, then inside linebacker and then back at outside linebacker.

Now, after spending more time at the position, Carpenter is comfortable and set to take off.

"Last year I got a chance to play some inside, and I hadn't done it in a long time, so coming in and trying to transition to the NFL and transition to a new position was a little tough," Carpenter said of his rookie season. "This year, I've kind of gotten my feet wet a little bit. I know what I'm doing."

In head coach Wade Phillips' new pressure defense scheme, there is a lot more blitzing going on, something Carpenter has excelled at.

"That was a real positive for him and us," Phillips said of the blitzing period held today, the first time the team has concentrated on that aspect. "We had him rushing from inside backer and he caused some problems."

Phillips said what he saw today out of Carpenter and the rest of the defense is a good sign for the future for both sides of the ball.

"Defensively we can give people problems, and I thought they did a little bit today," Phillips said. "It'll be good for the offense to see that, and we'll work on that more and more."

And when Carpenter comes crashing into the backfield to teach the offense a lesson during training camp at the Alamodome, the offense and Cowboys fans might get a better idea of what to expect throughout the season.

DallasCowboys.com - News

 

[Buckskin86]

Cowboys finding some new stars?
07:37 PM CDT on Thursday, August 2, 2007

Bobby Carpenter

Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter has elevated his game in San Antonio. When the Cowboys took Anthony Spencer in the first round, Carpenter was perplexed. He didn't know where he fit. Was he still an outside linebacker? Would he move inside?

In the last week, Carpenter's play has picked up. He has seen time as an outside pass rusher in the nickel defense. He has played inside linebacker in the base defense, bringing pressure up the middle.

He has dropped some weight and is moving around much better than he did last year. And his confidence is up. At times he can be bullied, but he is doing a better job at the point of attack and not trying to run around blocks.

Cowboys finding some new stars? | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | SportsDay: Top Stories

 

[Buckskin86]

Carpenter building his reputation
Cowboys like linebacker's skills in coverage and pass rush

12:58 AM CDT on Friday, August 3, 2007
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

"We want to try to get him a role, especially in the passing game where he can cover," Phillips said. "He can cover. He can obviously run. He's got great speed. We're going to try to utilize what he can do there."

"I'll be disappointed if I'm not playing 65-70 percent of the snaps," said Carpenter, who estimated he played 28 to 30 percent of the snaps last year, with the bulk coming later in the season.

Flipping between inside linebacker and outside pass rusher has not been as bothersome as it was last year.

"Outside, you have a little more time," Carpenter said. "Inside, you have to pound a little bit. You have to be a little more aggressive."

Carpenter building his reputation | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | SportsDay: Top Stories

 

[Buckskin86]

Posted on Fri, Aug. 03, 2007
Busting a bad label
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

"No one wants to be labeled the guy, a first-round bust who didn't do anything, and four years later you wonder why the guy is still on the team," Carpenter said. "I want to come out this year and make my mark and show that I belong."

The Cowboys aren't disappointed in Carpenter. They like the promise he showed when he got a chance to play late last season in place of the injured Greg Ellis.

Phillips likes Carpenter's ability to blitz and cover, and envisions using him in passing situations, especially given the way Carpenter has performed in practice of late.

"The light has turned on for him," Phillips said. "I am encouraged by the way he blitzes from the inside linebacker position. He has some speed. We just have to get him to the football."

Carpenter acknowledges he feels good about himself and the way he is playing.

It's a far cry from a year ago, when he said football was no longer fun.

"It was real tough early on for me last year," Carpenter said. "You forget how tough it was until you get back out here again.

"I feel good out there now. I feel like I know what's going on.

"But every day is an audition for me, just trying to show I can play."

Star-Telegram.com | 08/03/2007 | Busting a bad label

 

[Big Papa]

Yeah, he better get more reps this season. Carp is way to talented to keep off the field. The Cowboys are doing themselves a injustice by doing so. He can do it all and he puts it all out there. They will realize what they have this year.

 

[Buckskin86]

Cowboys Insider: Finding a way to use Carpenter
Web Posted: 08/03/2007 09:44 PM CDT

Tom Orsborn
Express-News staff writer

Inside linebacker. Outside linebacker. Defensive end.

You could see second-year player Bobby Carpenter getting playing time at all those spots this season.

If that?s the case, Carpenter won?t like it.

During the first 11 days of training camp, Carpenter has moved around more than some of the crickets that have invaded the Alamodome.

Like Bill Parcells last year, new coach Wade Phillips just can?t seem to find a permanent spot for the former Ohio State standout.

?We are still early in camp,? Carpenter said. ?If I don?t have a clearly defined role by the first week of the season, I?ll probably be a little upset by that. I have to show what I can do in the preseason.?

So far, so good. Going back and forth between inside linebacker and outside pass rusher, Carpenter has used his speed to put pressure on the quarterback.

?We want to try to get him a role, especially in the passing game,? Phillips said. ?He can cover. He can obviously run. He?s got great speed. We?re going to try to utilize what he can do there.?

But Carpenter says he isn?t interested in spot duty. He wants to be a three-down linebacker and has said he will be disappointed if he?s not playing 65-70 percent of the snaps.

?That?s what I?ve been able to do my whole career,? Carpenter said. ?And I think I still have the ability to do that.?

MySA.com: KENS 5: Sports

 

[Buckskin86]

Tuesday Notes: Carpenter On The Move Again

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
August 21, 2007 7:21 PM Change Font Size A A A A

IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys moved second-year linebacker Bobby Carpenter from outside to inside this off-season. But with the Greg Ellis still out rehabbing his sore heel, the Cowboys will give Carpenter some snaps back at outside linebacker this week in practice.

In fact, Phillips said he expects Carpenter to play some at outside linebacker in Saturday's preseason game with the Texans.

"We have to be realistic, too, and so we worked Bobby a little bit outside and we'll play him some in this game outside for that very reason," Phillips said. "We still need three outside 'backers that can play. I think with Bobby there, we'd have three for sure."

Carpenter, who played outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme in college at Ohio State, spent part of his rookie season as a backup outside 'backer in the 3-4 scheme. After playing mostly as a backup and special teams contributor, Carpenter got more playing time once Ellis tore his Achilles in the ninth game of the season.

Carpenter started the season finale against Detroit and then the playoff loss to Seattle, where he had his best game of the season, recording five tackles, one for a loss and breaking up three passes.

But with Ellis expected to return and rookie Anthony Spencer's arrival, the Cowboys moved Carpenter and Kevin Burnett from outside to inside this off-season.

Carpenter has just three tackles through two preseason games this year, but did have an interception in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's win over Denver.

DallasCowboys.com - News

 

[Buckskin86]

Cowboys move Carpenter again

Carpenter shifts outside again to help fill gap left by injured Ellis


01:00 AM CDT on Thursday, August 23, 2007
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

IRVING ? From outside linebacker to inside linebacker to outside, Bobby Carpenter's first two seasons have been a yo-yo.

"You don't ever want to be a jack of all trades, master of none, but at this point I'm just trying to get on the field," Carpenter said. "Wherever that's going to be, I'm comfortable with that. I just want to get on the field and help the team."

With Greg Ellis' availability for the Sept. 9 season opener against the New York Giants in question as he continues to come back from Achilles' tendon surgery, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips wants to be covered. So he has had Carpenter move to outside linebacker this week in practice.

Carpenter started the final two games of last season at outside linebacker, including his best outing of the year in the playoff loss to Seattle, when he had five tackles and three pass deflections. Earlier in the off-season he worked at outside linebacker, but primarily he has been inside linebacker Bradie James' backup in the base defense.

Rookie Anthony Spencer will start on the outside in Saturday's preseason game at Houston, but Phillips wants to get Carpenter in the game early.

Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter played 13 games last season. "He's athletic enough that he can do a lot of things, so we feel confident that now that he's worked inside he can go back outside some," Phillips said.

Carpenter has played defensive end and inside linebacker in the nickel defense during the first two preseason games.

Inside move: Saturday against Houston, defensive end Jay Ratliff will see some time on the inside as the Cowboys continue to look for alternatives behind starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson. Remi Ayodele saw first-team action last week against Denver.

"Jay will stunt more and move more than Jason," Phillips said. "Jason is a bigger guy. We will substitute [Ratliff] with the first team and see what he can do."

Cowboys move Carpenter again | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | SportsDay: Football: Cowboys

Inside Or Out
Looking For Playing Time, Carpenter Moves Outside Too

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
August 22, 2007 5:51 PM


IRVING, Texas - - Bobby Carpenter just wants to play.

Put him at inside linebacker, move him to the outside, play him on special teams, or all of the above.

It doesn't matter to last year's first-round draft pick. At this point, the Cowboys' second-year veteran said he just wants to play somewhere and welcomes any opportunity that will result in more playing time.

This latest opportunity has the Cowboys now moving him back to outside linebacker, at least temporarily, in the event that starting outside linebacker Greg Ellis is not ready for the season opener against the Giants. Ellis has been sidelined since the first day of training camp July 25, when he developed soreness in his heel during his first practice back from last year's Achilles injury. Even the veteran linebacker has admitted doubt about being able to return by the first game.

Because of that, the Cowboys are covering themselves with Carpenter.

"We're first looking at Ellis, and if some reason he's not able to play or not able to play early, we need another linebacker out there," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "And Bobby has played it before and he's athletic enough that he can do a lot of things. So we feel confident that now that he's worked inside, he can go back outside some and he's going to work both outside and inside in the ballgame. We're going to rotate it in this game just like it would be a regular season (game) if for some reason Ellis weren't there."

But while Carpenter is on board with the move, he also knows the reasoning.

"I think it's something that we're kind of doing as a precautionary measure so (Ellis) has as much time as he needs and doesn't feel like he doesn't have to rush or anything," Carpenter said. "And realistically, if we carry eight linebackers and Greg is one of them, then we don't have a backup at SAM (strong side). You can't go into the game without a guy that doesn't have any reps. So they just want me to get over there and little bit and see how it worked out."

Carpenter spent the latter part of his rookie season in 2006 at outside linebacker, where he eventually started the last two games, including the playoff loss in Seattle, and was moved back to the inside in the off-season.

But he doesn't seem frustrated that he has to move again, especially if it leads to more snaps.

"You don't ever want to be a jack-of-all-trades, master of none," said Carpenter, the 18th overall pick in last year's draft. "But at this point, I'm just trying to get on the field. Wherever that's going to be, I'm comfortable with that. I just want to get on the field and help the team.

"I view it as opportunity. Any time you have a chance to go to a different spot … Greg isn't playing right now. Anthony Spencer is a rookie. I think there's a good opportunity to get on the field."

Having played the position last year, Carpenter said the transition back to the outside won't be too difficult. Not only did he work at both spots during some of the off-season mini-camps and OTA practices, but he said the outside position is better suited to his style of play this year than in the 3-4 scheme the Cowboys ran last year under former coach Bill Parcells.

"It's much easier to play this year, with the scheme we're doing," he said. "It's just how we play. It's more aggressive and you can go make plays, as opposed to sitting back, which we did last year, and try to defeat blocks all the time.

"And I did some of the stuff in the spring and OTAs outside. Schematically, I knew what to do. It's just a matter of technique and polishing some things up. Once you're here and understand the scheme, it's not nearly as difficult. I can bounce back and forth right now in practice."

So does he have a preference?

Carpenter sounds like he's more comfortable at inside linebacker, which makes sense considering he spent all of training camp at the position. But he might change his tune rather quickly if he knew outside was where he'd get to play more.

"It doesn't really matter whether it's inside or outside at this point," he said. "It's just different things. Inside, we rush more and you get to drop some and make more plays. It's kind of exciting. Outside would be more rushing. It's more or less the same.

"I think I can play inside very well. But right now, I think there's more of a chance to play on the outside. And if that's the case, then put me in and let me go."

DallasCowboys.com - News

 

[Buckskin86]

Cowboys Insider: Don't quit on Carpenter

Web Posted: 08/31/2007 06:54 PM CDT

Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News

Used mainly on special teams much of the season, Carpenter got significant playing time after Greg Ellis ruptured his left Achilles in early November.

After spending all of training camp in San Antonio playing inside linebacker, Carpenter was moved to the outside last week after it became clear Ellis? left heel problems would likely keep him out of the opener. First-round pick Anthony Spencer is expected to start at Ellis? strongside spot on Sept. 9 against the New York Giants, but Carpenter is better against the run and could see plenty of playing time there.

?I?m just trying to get on the field,? Carpenter told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last week. ?I?m comfortable wherever I can get on the field ? inside or outside.?

Carpenter?s comments stood in stark contrast to what he told reporters early in training camp: ?If I don?t have a clearly defined role by the first week of the season, I?ll probably be a little upset by that.?

Getting upset won?t help.

Just like the team needs to be patient with him, Carpenter needs to be patient with all the moving around. Parcells was fond of telling reporters that Tom Landry taught him years ago it?s best to cut players who haven?t show by their third year they have a future in the league.

This is only Carpenter?s second season. It took Gurode five years to really show his worth ? and that was only after he found a home at center. I?m not saying the Cowboys should give Carpenter that much time to blossom.

But let?s at least wait until his third season before labeling him a bust. After all, his performance in the playoff loss at Seattle ? five tackles, including one for a loss, and three passes broken up ? is reason enough not to give up on him.

MySA.com: KENS 5: Sports