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LB Bobby Carpenter (All B1G, National Champion)

Rams trade is one step closer
Tackle Alex Barron signed his restricted free-agent tender Friday
.By Howard Balzer

Thursday, May 6, 2010


The trade between the Rams and Dallas Cowboys involving tackle Alex Barron and Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter got one step closer to completion Friday when Barron signed his restricted free-agent tender of $2.73 million. Players cannot be traded without signed contracts.

Sources told the Globe-Democrat.com and The Sports Xchange the deal is likely to become official Monday after both players pass their physicals. Carpenter is expected to be in St. Louis at some point Sunday.

The Rams are also hoping to restructure part of Carpenter?s potential compensation for 2010, which is the final season of his contract. Carpenter?s base salary is a reasonable $1.19 million, but at issue is a $1.895 million performance incentive that would be paid if he plays in 45 percent of the Rams? defensive snaps next season.

In 2009, Carpenter played in 42.1 percent of the Cowboys? snaps when he was part of the team?s nickel defense. If he starts for the Rams and stays healthy, the 45-percent threshold would be easy to reach.

Like Barron, 2010 is also the final year of Carpenter?s contract, and the Rams would be giving him an opportunity to be a better fit in their defense, which could make him a lot more money when he becomes a free agent after the season.

Carpenter would be the fourth Ohio State linebacker on the team?s roster, with the likelihood that all three starters ? Carpenter, James Laurinaitis and free-agent addition Na?il Diggs -- would be former Buckeyes. The other Rams linebacker from Ohio State is Larry Grant.

Rams trade is one step closer | St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
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Say what you want about Carpenter -- and Cowboys fans have said plenty since Bill Parcells drafted him in 2006 -- but he had found his modest niche in Wade Phillips' defense. It wasn't the dominating role that a No. 1 draft pick ought to have. But the Cowboys weren't afraid to put Bobby Carpenter on the field on third-down passing situations.

Lump me in, therefore, with the sympathetic sheep who think Carpenter was just the wrong fit for the 3-4 defense. He was athletic enough to cover tight ends and backs in the Cowboys' nickel. And with a base salary of $1.19 million, he wasn't a clog on the team's salary cap.

Yet, the best they could get is a guy who's false-started 43 times?

Read more: Cowboys ready to make a big mistake | Dallas Cowboys | Latest news and video on the Dallas Co...
 
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Well I guess we know which school the St. Louis Rams think is the REAL Linebacker U.

BTW, there are almost as many Buckeye LBs on this one pro team (4) as there are Penn State LBs in the entire league (5).
 
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The Cowboys are thin at tackle and Bobby was buried on the depth chart in a scheme that doesn't fit him well. Going to STL, moving back outside, and hooking up with other Buckeye LBs may be just what Carp needs.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys get a younger big man to provide depth after Flozell was released, who maybe just needs a new start, too. As a Cowboys fan and a Buckeye, this is a win-win.
 
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jlb1705;1702121; said:
Well I guess we know which school the St. Louis Rams think is the REAL Linebacker U.

BTW, there are almost as many Buckeye LBs on this one pro team (4) as there are Penn State LBs in the entire league (5).

One Buckeye may cost another Buckeye his job as a result of this trade, but the Rams do seem to like our guys.
 
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Ex-Cowboy Carpenter not into "throwing mud"
Posted by Evan Silva on May 10, 2010

Current Rams and former Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter was raked over the coals by the Dallas media for four years as a first-round pick who couldn't crack the starting lineup. Not a bruising hitter, Carpenter proved a poor fit in the Cowboys' 3-4 system, which requires inside linebackers to stuff the run first and foremost.

Carpenter only earned playing time in the nickel defense as a coverage linebacker. He was nicknamed "Barbie" by at least one teammate, and owner Jerry Jones publicly questioned Carpenter's physicality on HBO's Hard Knocks program in 2007.

Carpenter took the high road, refusing to lash back at the media, teammates, and front office. He was asked during Monday's introductory press conference at Rams Park if the approach was difficult.

"I don't know if throwing mud at anybody does any good," said the No. 18 overall pick in the 2006 draft. "I know I had the respect of a lot of my teammates down there in Dallas, and respect in the locker room, that's all that matters. What was said outside of the organization really wasn't important to me."

Carpenter also confirmed that he will play outside linebacker in St. Louis, though he isn't sure if he'll play the strong or weak side. It's expected that Carpenter will end up starting at the latter position, with David Vobora and Na'il Diggs competing opposite him.

Meanwhile, St. Louis is leading the league in former Ohio State Buckeye linebackers.

In addition to Carpenter, current Rams Diggs, Larry Grant, and starting middle linebacker James Laurinaitis all played their college ball in Columbus.

Ex-Cowboy Carpenter not into "throwing mud" | ProFootballTalk.com
 
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Transcript: Bobby Carpenter on Becoming a Ram

(On being one of four Ohio State linebackers on the Rams? roster)

?That?s definitely, I?d say, kind of an anomaly there in the NFL to have four guys in a position group all from the same school. I didn?t really play with Na?il (Diggs) at all. He left a few years before I got in there, but I was able to spend some time with James (Laurinaitis) and Larry (Grant) when I was in school and then also back in the offseason, in the winter when I?d be back in Columbus. It?ll be great to come in there and play with those guys and just being in the same room. I know James has done some great things here and Larry has come on as well. We have a talented group of linebackers, so it?s going to be exciting.?

Transcript: Bobby Carpenter on Becoming a Ram
 
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