Carpenter's Versatility Could Improve Linebacker Corps
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IRVING, Texas - Bill Parcells and Bobby Carpenter shared a bond even before the Cowboys selected the Ohio State linebacker with their 18th overall pick in last weekend's NFL Draft.
Carpenter's father, Rob, played running back for Parcells' New York Giants from 1981-85. But their relationship isn't the sole reason for Bobby Carpenter's presence at this weekend's rookie mini-camp here at Valley Ranch.
Aside from his family lineage, Carpenter has value to the Cowboys because of his versatility.
"I can bring a lot of different things to the table," said Carpenter, who met with the local media for the first time after Saturday morning's practice.
The Cowboys made a successful transition to the 3-4 defense last year, but Parcells knew he couldn't install a new scheme in one off-season. After beefing up their front seven in last year's draft with future starting defensive ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys continued their 3-4 renovations this spring.
Carpenter is the newest addition to the Cowboys' crop of linebackers. Thanks to his first-round draft status, he's also the most hyped.
"There's a lot of talented linebackers they have here and hopefully I'll be able to play opposite DeMarcus," said Carpenter, who will graduate this summer with a degree in business economics. "I think that's what their plan was, and I think I just have to come in, play well and hopefully live up to their expectations."
The Cowboys made an early splash in free agency by signing free-agent linebacker Akin Ayodele (6-2, 246) to play inside next to Bradie James, but they still lacked depth on the outside as the draft approached.
Ware showed flashes of brilliance as a pass rusher on the weak side, but the rest of the group included players who struggled with injuries last season (Al Singleton, Kevin Burnett and Kalen Thornton). Scott Fujita, who started eight games on the left side, signed with New Orleans this off-season.
The Cowboys' draft priorities also included offensive tackle, safety and tight end. But a 3-4 defense never can have enough linebackers, and Carpenter gave them a potential long-term solution opposite Ware.
"I like the player as an athlete," Parcells said. "He's a real pure linebacker. You can see him do everything you want him to see."
Parcells needs his 3-4 linebackers to be versatile, and at 6-2, 254 pounds, Carpenter appears to have the size and speed to stand up on the line of scrimmage against the run and drop into coverage on tight ends.
The Buckeyes occasionally lined up Carpenter at defensive end in pass-rush situations, too. He finished 10th on Ohio State's all-time sack list with 14.5. And the Cowboys also think Carpenter could move inside if need be, or if they should have the opportunity to put another Ware-type backer on the left side.
Asked his duties in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme, Carpenter said, "On the outside have some pass rush, have some coverage, be a physical run stopper and hopefully do all three of those things pretty well."
Mission accomplished at Ohio State.
Carpenter helped form the nation's top linebacker trio alongside fifth overall pick A.J. Hawk and third-round pick Anthony Schlegel, considered by some the best inside linebacker in the draft. The Buckeyes led the nation in run defense (73.4), and Carpenter was named second-team All-Big Ten as a senior.
Not bad for a kid who didn't start playing football until the seventh grade. Rob Carpenter, who eventually coached Bobby and his younger brother Jonathan at Lancaster (Ohio) High School, thought Bobby was too small for football until he turned 13.
Carpenter took up a variety of sports during adolescence, including soccer, basketball and swimming, a sport his mother excelled in during her high school days. He also took six years of piano lessons, though he admits "it was not the most enjoyable thing I did."
"I think it helped develop me as a well-rounded athlete," Carpenter said of his range of athletic interests. "I didn't develop any bad habits from playing in the other systems. Maybe it kept me from a little wear and tear on my body, I don't know."
Carpenter already has been tabbed by some as a "Parcells Guy" because of his father's relationship with the Cowboys' head coach. But Carpenter insists that label must be earned.
For now, he's Parcells' personal water boy.
Each year, Parcells mandates that his first draft choice fetch him water during practice breaks. Carpenter has joined Terence Newman, Julius Jones and Ware in the Cowboys' lineage of well-paid water boys.
"They said it used to be bottled but I think he's gone to tap now," said Carpenter, who has brought Parcells a fresh cup in each of the Cowboys' first three mini-camp practices. "The trainers and everybody, they get the order ready. I'm just the delivery boy."
But Carpenter's ultimate focus is earning that starting job at outside linebacker.
"I know they brought in a lot of guys and had a pretty solid linebacking corps last year," Carpenter said. "So I'm just going to work as hard as I can and when the vets get in here I'll try to fit in with those guys and continue to work hard."
At whatever he is asked to do.
IRVING, Texas - Bill Parcells and Bobby Carpenter shared a bond even before the Cowboys selected the Ohio State linebacker with their 18th overall pick in last weekend's NFL Draft.
Carpenter's father, Rob, played running back for Parcells' New York Giants from 1981-85. But their relationship isn't the sole reason for Bobby Carpenter's presence at this weekend's rookie mini-camp here at Valley Ranch.
Aside from his family lineage, Carpenter has value to the Cowboys because of his versatility.
"I can bring a lot of different things to the table," said Carpenter, who met with the local media for the first time after Saturday morning's practice.
The Cowboys made a successful transition to the 3-4 defense last year, but Parcells knew he couldn't install a new scheme in one off-season. After beefing up their front seven in last year's draft with future starting defensive ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys continued their 3-4 renovations this spring.
Carpenter is the newest addition to the Cowboys' crop of linebackers. Thanks to his first-round draft status, he's also the most hyped.
"There's a lot of talented linebackers they have here and hopefully I'll be able to play opposite DeMarcus," said Carpenter, who will graduate this summer with a degree in business economics. "I think that's what their plan was, and I think I just have to come in, play well and hopefully live up to their expectations."
The Cowboys made an early splash in free agency by signing free-agent linebacker Akin Ayodele (6-2, 246) to play inside next to Bradie James, but they still lacked depth on the outside as the draft approached.
Ware showed flashes of brilliance as a pass rusher on the weak side, but the rest of the group included players who struggled with injuries last season (Al Singleton, Kevin Burnett and Kalen Thornton). Scott Fujita, who started eight games on the left side, signed with New Orleans this off-season.
The Cowboys' draft priorities also included offensive tackle, safety and tight end. But a 3-4 defense never can have enough linebackers, and Carpenter gave them a potential long-term solution opposite Ware.
"I like the player as an athlete," Parcells said. "He's a real pure linebacker. You can see him do everything you want him to see."
Parcells needs his 3-4 linebackers to be versatile, and at 6-2, 254 pounds, Carpenter appears to have the size and speed to stand up on the line of scrimmage against the run and drop into coverage on tight ends.
The Buckeyes occasionally lined up Carpenter at defensive end in pass-rush situations, too. He finished 10th on Ohio State's all-time sack list with 14.5. And the Cowboys also think Carpenter could move inside if need be, or if they should have the opportunity to put another Ware-type backer on the left side.
Asked his duties in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme, Carpenter said, "On the outside have some pass rush, have some coverage, be a physical run stopper and hopefully do all three of those things pretty well."
Mission accomplished at Ohio State.
Carpenter helped form the nation's top linebacker trio alongside fifth overall pick A.J. Hawk and third-round pick Anthony Schlegel, considered by some the best inside linebacker in the draft. The Buckeyes led the nation in run defense (73.4), and Carpenter was named second-team All-Big Ten as a senior.
Not bad for a kid who didn't start playing football until the seventh grade. Rob Carpenter, who eventually coached Bobby and his younger brother Jonathan at Lancaster (Ohio) High School, thought Bobby was too small for football until he turned 13.
Carpenter took up a variety of sports during adolescence, including soccer, basketball and swimming, a sport his mother excelled in during her high school days. He also took six years of piano lessons, though he admits "it was not the most enjoyable thing I did."
"I think it helped develop me as a well-rounded athlete," Carpenter said of his range of athletic interests. "I didn't develop any bad habits from playing in the other systems. Maybe it kept me from a little wear and tear on my body, I don't know."
Carpenter already has been tabbed by some as a "Parcells Guy" because of his father's relationship with the Cowboys' head coach. But Carpenter insists that label must be earned.
For now, he's Parcells' personal water boy.
Each year, Parcells mandates that his first draft choice fetch him water during practice breaks. Carpenter has joined Terence Newman, Julius Jones and Ware in the Cowboys' lineage of well-paid water boys.
"They said it used to be bottled but I think he's gone to tap now," said Carpenter, who has brought Parcells a fresh cup in each of the Cowboys' first three mini-camp practices. "The trainers and everybody, they get the order ready. I'm just the delivery boy."
But Carpenter's ultimate focus is earning that starting job at outside linebacker.
"I know they brought in a lot of guys and had a pretty solid linebacking corps last year," Carpenter said. "So I'm just going to work as hard as I can and when the vets get in here I'll try to fit in with those guys and continue to work hard."
At whatever he is asked to do.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:56 AM
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