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LB Bobby Carpenter (All B1G, National Champion)

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Bobby Carpenter (hate that guy!) finds effective role for Cowboys
Monday, January 11, 2010
Column by TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News | [email protected]

IRVING ? Bobby Carpenter is the guy you loathe. Admit it.

A former first-round pick who never lived up to the expectations. Can't tackle. Can't make a big play. And that ponytail. You hate that ponytail, just like you hated the fact that Tony Romo wore his cap backward.

"A couple of years ago, I realized whatever labels I have are probably going to stick," Carpenter said. "That's something I'm not going to pay attention to. I'm just going to come out and play, and if I play well enough, I think that will speak for itself."

The defensive success enjoyed by the Cowboys can be attributed to the Pro Bowlers, such as linebacker DeMarcus Ware and nose tackle Jay Ratliff, and those playing at a high level, such as cornerback Mike Jenkins and inside linebackers Keith Brooking and Bradie James. But it is also due to the play of the role players, such as defensive linemen Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen and cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

And, yes, Carpenter.

In Saturday's wild-card win against Philadelphia, Carpenter became the fifth Cowboy to have two fumble recoveries in a playoff game and the first since Jimmie Jones in Super Bowl XXVII.

He also had two solo tackles, two assists and two pressures in 39 plays against the Eagles. Tight end Brent Celek, who had seven catches for 96 yards in the Week 17 finale, did not have a catch in the first three quarters Saturday.

"I don't look at where they were drafted because it doesn't really make a difference," coach Wade Phillips said. "They're a football player to me. I've always said those guys that don't 'work out,' it's not their fault where they were drafted. It's how they play."

Carpenter, a first-round pick in 2006, was initially supposed to be an outside linebacker in the 3-4, but he was moved around before settling in at inside linebacker.

In Phillips' first two years, Carpenter was credited with seven tackles, according to the coaches' film. That came in 29 games with Kevin Burnett handling the sub packages at inside linebacker.

Burnett signed with San Diego in the off-season, giving Carpenter an opening.

"I told him at the first of the year and really all of them that it's a new year with every guy each year, and no matter what I thought before or didn't think before, it's up to them to prove what they could or couldn't do," Phillips said.

Carpenter took to the opportunity. He finished the regular season with 48 tackles, two sacks, four quarterback pressures, one tackle for loss and a pass deflection, almost identical numbers that Burnett put up in 2008.

"I don't know if I'll ever prove enough to everyone," Carpenter said, "but I think I played pretty well so far, and hopefully that will continue."
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Bobby Carpenter (hate that guy!) finds effective role for Cowboys | Todd Archer Columns | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
 
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NFL Team Report: Using Dime, Cowboys' Carpenter Builds a Reputation
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Posted By The Trenches

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LB Bobby Carpenter, a 2006 first-round pick who never has lived up to expectations, is in the midst of his best season. Carpenter, who plays mostly in the dime defense, has a career-high 48 tackles and two sacks. He recovered two fumbles in last week's playoff win over Philadelphia and has done a solid job covering tight ends man-to-man for much of the season.

Carpenter had seven tackles in the previous two seasons combined. He always has been criticized by the coaches for not being physical, a necessity in the 3-4 scheme because linebackers must take on 300-pound guards.

But in the dime, he can be a finesse player because he's much more involved in coverage. He is a good athlete and a smart player. He does a good job of disguising whether he is blitzing or dropping into coverage.

The coaches have blitzed him quite a bit lately, especially up the middle, because he has a knack for timing the snap count and the patience to wait until blockers have committed before making his move. - Jean-Jacques Taylor
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NFL Team Report: Using Dime, Cowboys\' Carpenter Builds a Reputation - The Trenches - The Trenches - Sporting News

Web Posted: 01/13/2010
Cowboys' Carpenter finds niche as dime linebacker
By Tom Orsborn - Express-News IRVING

— Linebacker Bobby Carpenter seems to save his best for the playoffs.

With two fumble recoveries in Saturday's win over Philadelphia, Carpenter became only the fifth Dallas Cowboy to accomplish the feat in the playoffs. He also had a hit on Donovan McNabb.

In the 2006 wild-card loss at Seattle, Carpenter recorded a season-high five tackles, a tackle for a loss and three pass deflections in his second career start.

Carpenter has never fulfilled the promise of being a first-round pick in 2006, but he seems to have found his niche as a dime linebacker.

“Bobby has done a good job,” coach Wade Phillips said. “I told him at the first of the year, all of them really, it's a new year. No matter what I thought before, or didn't think before, it was up to them to prove what they could or couldn't do. We gave Bobby a role, and he's stepped up.”

In previous seasons under Phillips, Dallas used a defensive back at dime linebacker.

“Bobby is athletic enough to play almost a defensive back and a linebacker,” Phillips said.

Carpenter took the praise in stride.

“It was nice to get a little gratification for the work you put in, but we've got another big test this week,” he said. “Hopefully, I can continue to prove I should be out there.”
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http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/cowboys/81290497.html
 
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Bobby Carpenter has shoulder surgery
Thu, Jan 21, 2010
Todd Archer/Reporter

Add linebacker Bobby Carpenter to the list of players having off-season surgery.

Carpenter had his left shoulder scoped but should be back in time for the off-season conditioning program. Carpenter had been bothered by the injury for most of the season but did not miss a game.
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Bobby Carpenter has shoulder surgery | Dallas Cowboys Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

Fixing Cowboys' Roy Williams at top of coach's list
Thursday, January 21, 2010

IRVING ? Repairing shattered wide receiver Roy Williams will be the top off-season priority for Cowboys coach Wade Phillips.

In detailing Phillips' merits Thursday, owner-general manager Jerry Jones mentioned the coach's ability to identify talent and know how best to use it. Jones pointed to the rise of previously disappointing linebacker Bobby Carpenter as an example. Phillips used Carpenter in nickel defenses, and Carpenter responded with more tackles (37) and sacks (two) than in his previous three seasons combined.

Williams is the new Carpenter.
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Fixing Cowboys' Roy Williams at top of coach's list | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
 
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carptenter.jpg

Bobby Carpenter
Photo by Dan Harker

Former Buckeye and current Dallas Cowboy Bobby Carpenter was working out with the linebackers today, and according to Brian Rolle, that always brings some extra motivation for the current crop of players.

?It?s a lot of motivation. I saw him in the locker room this morning putting his cleats on, and I was like ?Aw, here goes Bobby?. But he?s a great guy. He pushes us very hard, and that?s what I like about him. Somebody who comes back and works out with us and teaches us how to work hard even when times seem like they?re getting bad.?

?It?s just like talking to a guy who I?ve played with, even though I haven?t. Bobby?s a cool guy. He?ll talk to you about ?In the NFL, this is how they do it, and what you?ve got to do here in order to make in that league.??
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The-Ozone, Ohio State Football, Wrestling, Softball, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball and More
 
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With the Cowboys taking inside linebacker Jason Williams in the third round last year, this could be the beginning of the end for linebacker Bobby Carpenter, a first-round pick in 2006 who never earned a starting job.

Carpenter is in the last year of his contract and is one of four veterans who could be had in a trade Saturday. The others are receivers Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd and defensive end Marcus Spears.
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Read more: Bellingham, Whatcom County Life, Travel, Books | Bellingham Herald
 
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Carpenter's days numbered with Cowboys
Sat., Apr. 24, 2010
Gerry Fraley/Reporter

Linebacker Bobby Carpenter, a first-round pick in 2006, will be hard-pressed to earn a role with the Dallas Cowboys this season.

The Cowboys consider Sean Lee, their second-round pick in this draft, a three-down inside linebacker. With veterans Keith Brooking and Bradie James set for the first two downs, Lee's initial role could be as a third-down linebacker in the ``nickel'' pass defense. At Penn State, Lee was deeply involved in pass coverage. He had one interception and was credited with 15 passes defended.

Carpenter handled the role last season and performed well, but that may not be enough to save his spot. Lee is the new darling for the Cowboys, and he will get every chance to play a significant role on the defense.
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Carpenter's days numbered with Cowboys | Dallas Cowboys Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | The Dallas Morning News
 
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MaxBuck;1700831; said:
Not to dump on a Buckeye or anything, but this seems to me like a much better deal for the Cowboys.
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He was saying that Borrow had lost favor of the coaches in STL and Bobby could use a change of scenery. Overall the way Bobby has played so far as a pro though I agree with you
 
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