Sunday, January 21, 2007

LB Bobby Carpenter

By Jean-Jacques Taylor
Dallas Morning News
January 14, 2007

HARD TRUTH: The Cowboys think rookie LB Bobby Carpenter can be similar to New England's Mike Vrabel. Ironically, each played at Ohio State. Like New England, the Cowboys would like to use Carpenter as a combo defensive end/linebacker. They would use him at defensive end in some pass-rushing situations and let him rush from the linebacker spot in others. They could use him as an inside linebacker in the nickel because he has enough speed to protect the seam and as a spy against mobile quarterbacks such as Mike Vick. That would take advantage of his skills because he's a guy who plays best when he doesn't have to be physical. Moving him around keeps opponents from drawing a bead on him and being aggressive in blocking him.