Rookie Carpenter ready to stop talking, start playing
Cowboys LB tries to be more aggressive, earn more time on field
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Bobby Carpenter is done with being frustrated.
Carpenter, the Cowboys' first-round pick from Ohio State, speaks to coaches, teammates and his dad, a former NFL player, about his lack of playing time.
But as the rookie linebacker enters a Monday night game against the Giants, he's decided its time for less talk and more action.
Carpenter has played in two games this season and was inactive for three others.
"I guess, sometimes, you have to talk to people to put things in perspective," Carpenter said. "I was frustrated for a while, but looking at it now, I'm trying to come out here and enjoy it again and take advantage of things."
Carpenter has been inactive because of his lack of aggressiveness on special teams and the Cowboys' depth at linebacker.
Carpenter played outside linebacker in college but had to move inside in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. Carpenter is behind Akin Ayodele, who is tied for second on the team in total tackles. In the nickel, Carpenter is Kevin Burnett's backup as one of the inside linebackers.
This week in practice, Carpenter worked as an outside pass rusher in the nickel.
If Carpenter doesn't play defense, he could play on special teams, but he's endured problems. The coaches want him to attack ball carriers more.
"I've tried to be less tentative and be more aggressive," he said. "You're afraid to take a bad step because it can put you in a bad situation."
"It's tough for rookies," said defensive end Marcus Spears, who was one of the Cowboys' two first-round picks in 2005. "There's a lot to learn, and you have to remember the game up here is a lot faster."
The pressure on first-round picks to produce is tremendous because of signing bonuses and expectations from coaches, owners and fans.
"Yeah, it's more pressure because it's more money, let's be honest," said defensive end Chris Canty, a fourth-round pick in 2005. "You are being paid to do a job, and when they are paying you those big dollars, the job better get done."
Carpenter's lack of playing time doesn't mean he should be considered a bust.
In 2003, Kansas City drafted running back Larry Johnson in the first round. He was inactive for 10 games his rookie season. Johnson bounced back and was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season.
Carolina drafted linebacker Thomas Davis in the first round in 2005, and he started only one game but played in 16.
This season, Davis has started all six games and is second on the team with 38 tackles.
Carpenter's status for Monday's game is uncertain. He would like to play because his dad, Rob, played for the Giants from 1981 to 1985.
"I've long since given up trying to read situations coming in every week," Carpenter said. "I'm just trying to practice as if I'm going to play and take advantage of any special teams situations."
MAKING AN IMPACT
Notable 2006 first-round selections who are making an impact:
Pk. Player Pos. Team
2 Reggie Bush RB N. Orleans
Second in NFC in receptions with 38
10 Matt Leinart QB Arizona
Thrown for 539 yards and four TDs
21 Laurence Maroney RB N. England
Leads rookies with 332 rushing yards
Notable 2006 first-round selections who have yet to make an impact:
Pk. Player Pos. Team
1 Mario Williams DE Houston
Only 1 ½ sacks in five games
16 Jason Allen FS Miami
No tackles in six games
18 Bobby Carpenter LB Dallas
No tackles in two games
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Bobby Carpenter is done with being frustrated.
Carpenter, the Cowboys' first-round pick from Ohio State, speaks to coaches, teammates and his dad, a former NFL player, about his lack of playing time.
But as the rookie linebacker enters a Monday night game against the Giants, he's decided its time for less talk and more action.
Carpenter has played in two games this season and was inactive for three others.
"I guess, sometimes, you have to talk to people to put things in perspective," Carpenter said. "I was frustrated for a while, but looking at it now, I'm trying to come out here and enjoy it again and take advantage of things."
Carpenter has been inactive because of his lack of aggressiveness on special teams and the Cowboys' depth at linebacker.
Carpenter played outside linebacker in college but had to move inside in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. Carpenter is behind Akin Ayodele, who is tied for second on the team in total tackles. In the nickel, Carpenter is Kevin Burnett's backup as one of the inside linebackers.
This week in practice, Carpenter worked as an outside pass rusher in the nickel.
If Carpenter doesn't play defense, he could play on special teams, but he's endured problems. The coaches want him to attack ball carriers more.
"I've tried to be less tentative and be more aggressive," he said. "You're afraid to take a bad step because it can put you in a bad situation."
"It's tough for rookies," said defensive end Marcus Spears, who was one of the Cowboys' two first-round picks in 2005. "There's a lot to learn, and you have to remember the game up here is a lot faster."
The pressure on first-round picks to produce is tremendous because of signing bonuses and expectations from coaches, owners and fans.
"Yeah, it's more pressure because it's more money, let's be honest," said defensive end Chris Canty, a fourth-round pick in 2005. "You are being paid to do a job, and when they are paying you those big dollars, the job better get done."
Carpenter's lack of playing time doesn't mean he should be considered a bust.
In 2003, Kansas City drafted running back Larry Johnson in the first round. He was inactive for 10 games his rookie season. Johnson bounced back and was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season.
Carolina drafted linebacker Thomas Davis in the first round in 2005, and he started only one game but played in 16.
This season, Davis has started all six games and is second on the team with 38 tackles.
Carpenter's status for Monday's game is uncertain. He would like to play because his dad, Rob, played for the Giants from 1981 to 1985.
"I've long since given up trying to read situations coming in every week," Carpenter said. "I'm just trying to practice as if I'm going to play and take advantage of any special teams situations."
MAKING AN IMPACT
Notable 2006 first-round selections who are making an impact:
Pk. Player Pos. Team
2 Reggie Bush RB N. Orleans
Second in NFC in receptions with 38
10 Matt Leinart QB Arizona
Thrown for 539 yards and four TDs
21 Laurence Maroney RB N. England
Leads rookies with 332 rushing yards
Notable 2006 first-round selections who have yet to make an impact:
Pk. Player Pos. Team
1 Mario Williams DE Houston
Only 1 ½ sacks in five games
16 Jason Allen FS Miami
No tackles in six games
18 Bobby Carpenter LB Dallas
No tackles in two games
posted by The Gryphon at 9:33 AM
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