Cowboys Insider: Don't quit on Carpenter
by Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-
News Fans ready to give up on Bobby Carpenter should consider what happened to another Cowboy who once appeared to be going nowhere.
Bill Parcells, fans and some in the media were ready to label Andre Gurode a washout after he lost his job as the starting right guard at the end of the 2004 season, his third in the NFL.
The Cowboys even went so far as to sign Marco Rivera to replace Gurode, who was moved to center, where he started the 2005 season as Al Johnson’s backup. But Gurode slowly worked his way back into Parcells’ good graces and even started the last two games in 2005 after a neck injury sidelined Rivera.
“A lot has changed that was problematic last year,” Parcells said in late December 2005 of Gurode, a second-round pick (No. 37 overall) from Colorado. “He’s done a good job of battling back.”
Gurode used the late-season revival as a springboard to a strong 2006. After besting Johnson in training camp, Gurode started all 16 games en route to a trip to the Pro Bowl as a replacement player when Chicago’s Olin Kreutz decided to stay home with an injury.
Constant prodding from Parcells helped Gurode become a better player. But the move to center also played a role in Gurode’s resurgence.
Perhaps Carpenter will also flourish once Wade Phillips finds a permanent spot for the former Ohio Star linebacker the Cowboys selected 18th overall in the 2006 draft. Carpenter played outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme in college. As a rookie in the 3-4 alignment, he spent time as a backup both inside and outside.
Used mainly on special teams much of the season, Carpenter got significant playing time after Greg Ellis ruptured his left Achilles in early November.
After spending all of training camp in San Antonio playing inside linebacker, Carpenter was moved to the outside last week after it became clear Ellis’ left heel problems would likely keep him out of the opener. First-round pick Anthony Spencer is expected to start at Ellis’ strongside spot on Sept. 9 against the New York Giants, but Carpenter is better against the run and could see plenty of playing time there.
“I’m just trying to get on the field,” Carpenter told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last week.
“I’m comfortable wherever I can get on the field – inside or outside.”
Carpenter’s comments stood in stark contrast to what he told reporters early in training camp:
“If I don’t have a clearly defined role by the first week of the season, I’ll probably be a little upset by that.”
Getting upset won’t help.
Just like the team needs to be patient with him, Carpenter needs to be patient with all the moving around. Parcells was fond of telling reporters that Tom Landry taught him years ago it’s best to cut players who haven’t show by their third year they have a future in the league.
This is only Carpenter’s second season. It took Gurode five years to really show his worth – and that was only after he found a home at center. I’m not saying the Cowboys should give Carpenter that much time to blossom.
But let’s at least wait until his third season before labeling him a bust. After all, his performance in the playoff loss at Seattle – five tackles, including one for a loss, and three passes broken up – is reason enough not to give up on him.
San Antonio Express-
News Fans ready to give up on Bobby Carpenter should consider what happened to another Cowboy who once appeared to be going nowhere.
Bill Parcells, fans and some in the media were ready to label Andre Gurode a washout after he lost his job as the starting right guard at the end of the 2004 season, his third in the NFL.
The Cowboys even went so far as to sign Marco Rivera to replace Gurode, who was moved to center, where he started the 2005 season as Al Johnson’s backup. But Gurode slowly worked his way back into Parcells’ good graces and even started the last two games in 2005 after a neck injury sidelined Rivera.
“A lot has changed that was problematic last year,” Parcells said in late December 2005 of Gurode, a second-round pick (No. 37 overall) from Colorado. “He’s done a good job of battling back.”
Gurode used the late-season revival as a springboard to a strong 2006. After besting Johnson in training camp, Gurode started all 16 games en route to a trip to the Pro Bowl as a replacement player when Chicago’s Olin Kreutz decided to stay home with an injury.
Constant prodding from Parcells helped Gurode become a better player. But the move to center also played a role in Gurode’s resurgence.
Perhaps Carpenter will also flourish once Wade Phillips finds a permanent spot for the former Ohio Star linebacker the Cowboys selected 18th overall in the 2006 draft. Carpenter played outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme in college. As a rookie in the 3-4 alignment, he spent time as a backup both inside and outside.
Used mainly on special teams much of the season, Carpenter got significant playing time after Greg Ellis ruptured his left Achilles in early November.
After spending all of training camp in San Antonio playing inside linebacker, Carpenter was moved to the outside last week after it became clear Ellis’ left heel problems would likely keep him out of the opener. First-round pick Anthony Spencer is expected to start at Ellis’ strongside spot on Sept. 9 against the New York Giants, but Carpenter is better against the run and could see plenty of playing time there.
“I’m just trying to get on the field,” Carpenter told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last week.
“I’m comfortable wherever I can get on the field – inside or outside.”
Carpenter’s comments stood in stark contrast to what he told reporters early in training camp:
“If I don’t have a clearly defined role by the first week of the season, I’ll probably be a little upset by that.”
Getting upset won’t help.
Just like the team needs to be patient with him, Carpenter needs to be patient with all the moving around. Parcells was fond of telling reporters that Tom Landry taught him years ago it’s best to cut players who haven’t show by their third year they have a future in the league.
This is only Carpenter’s second season. It took Gurode five years to really show his worth – and that was only after he found a home at center. I’m not saying the Cowboys should give Carpenter that much time to blossom.
But let’s at least wait until his third season before labeling him a bust. After all, his performance in the playoff loss at Seattle – five tackles, including one for a loss, and three passes broken up – is reason enough not to give up on him.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:17 AM
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