Listen to this .......Markell Carter

[patfanken]

Markell Carter Interview - 5/12/2012

Markelle Carter was one of those draft picks like Ebert and Wilson that BB makes each year that befuddles us to no end. Almost as surprising as the fact that the Pats drafted him in the first place, was that they paid him a full roster salary just to keep him on the PS this past season.

I had heard whispers that he was a player to look out for this TC, and I had thought tout him as my surprise player to watch in some "idle thoughts" opus as we drew close to TC. However I happened to listen to a interview he gave over on Patriots.com and I can't tell you how impressed I was with this kid's demeanor and character. Just in a simple interview you can see why Bill was driven to draft him AND keep him around.

The roster lists him at 248, but in the interview he stated that he's now closer to 275. IIRC one of the this kid's assets was his explosiveness and quick first step. Well guys, it seems like the Pats have ANOTHER 6'4 guy which long arms and an explosive first step....and he's only 22.

At one point I was 100% sure that Andre Carter was a lock to be resigned and Jermaine Cunningham would be on the final 53. Both may still happen, but I'm no longer 100% sure. There are a lot of guys who look like great prospects who all have the same kind of skills. What a competition this training camp is going to be.

I dare to listen to this short interview and NOT come away with thinking Markelle Carter is now your own personal binky to make this roster.

 

[DarrylS]

Its a trend... thank god, I like it.

Mike Reiss has the condensed version..

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...2144/carter-embracing-opportunity-at-minicamp

 

[patsinthesnow]

Markell Carter Interview - 5/12/2012


The roster lists him at 248, but in the interview he stated that he's now closer to 275. IIRC one of the this kid's assets was his explosiveness and quick first step. Well guys, it seems like the Pats have ANOTHER 6'4 guy which long arms and an explosive first step....and he's only 22.

This is why I'm interested in him as well. He had great measureables all around that BB wants in an OLB besides his weight, which was light at 248. I read an article last year how he got to 260ish, and now if true that he is close to 275, that shows this kid's work ethic.

 

[Big-T]

275?

Bring on the "NASCAR package"! Jones-Carter-Carter (if brought back)-Bequette on 3rd & long? I like the sound of it.

On the interview: he sounds much older than he is, he sounds like a smart kid and a natural leader, I hope he sticks around.

 

[patfanken]

Its a trend... thank god, I like it.

Mike Reiss has the condensed version..

Carter embracing opportunity at minicamp - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Thanks for the link, Darryl. But its one thing to read an account of his interview, and another to hear it from his own lips. You can just tell that this kid is bright, mature, and knows what he has to do to make this team....and isn't intimidated by the prospect.

Its almost like he's following a road map to the roster. Pay his dues on the PS. Learn the Patriot way (which he mentions several times). Get get bigger. Get stronger. Understand the defensive concepts. Learn the techniques. Compete.....and let the chips fall where they may. Quite simply, "he gets it".

Unfortunately there are a lot of people competing for very few roster spots. Ultimately, while good for the Pats in the long run, it may mean Carter will have to go to another team to continue his development. I don't think he'll want to endure another year on the PS, even if the money is right. Besides, I don't think he'll survive the waiver wire.

 

[patchick]

its one thing to read an account of his interview, and another to hear it from his own lips. You can just tell that this kid is bright, mature, and knows what he has to do to make this team....and isn't intimidated by the prospect.

Thanks Ken, I agree. He comes across as a guy you'd be delighted to hire for almost any line of work.

 

[The Gr8est]

Thanx for posting that Ken. If I wasn't already rooting for this kid to make the team I definitely would be after hearing that. He was a 6th round pick last year, but at age 22, with the steady, and healthy, weight gains he is making, with a strong year on the practice squad working with the Pats coaches, I don't know how high he would have been drafted if he was available in this year's draft, but I expect he would definitely be seen as a "riser" much as Tavon Wilson was.

He just sounds so perfect to have as a teammate, and his character would be a very positive addition to the 53.

While it certainly holds for other teams as well, the fact that he is just now getting to experience his first mini-camp, really reminds you that last season was really a lost year for these rookies, and for some players who sadly, didn't get to contribute much last season, like Vereen, this is the true beginning of their careers, and will be a shot in the arm for teams who had drafted these players but didn't get any return on the investment last year.

In some ways, it was a gr8 move drafting players like Carter, since with the year spent on IR, he has become a better and more valuable prospect; he has put on more solid weight, is better prepared mentally and is healthy.

There is every reason to be very excited about Markell Carter's future as a Pat, and while there are certainly some differences, I am thinking about Carter somewhat in the same way as I am viewing Chandler Jones, in that he isn't expected to be a force his first season, but is expected to be one in latter seasons. Carter's tool may make him a similar type of prospect.

 

[larryo]

Crazy that he entered college as a wide receiver. I would love to see this kid burst onto the scene.

 

[Username]

He was my binky last year, still my binky this year. I can't remember wanting a player to succeed more than Markell Carter. His attitude is just perfect.

 

[Betterthanmost]

But but.. can he rush the passer I ask.

 

[mayoclinic]

The roster lists him at 248, but in the interview he stated that he's now closer to 275. IIRC one of the this kid's assets was his explosiveness and quick first step. Well guys, it seems like the Pats have ANOTHER 6'4 guy which long arms and an explosive first step....and he's only 22.

Thanks so much for posting this, Ken. Frankly, I had heard that the Pats were very high on Carter but I didn't understand how a 248# DE/OLB fit into their current direction. This makes much more sense.

Carter measured 6' 4 3/8" and 252# and the Combine and his pro day last year. That's only 1/8" shorter than Jake Bequette. If he's up to around 275# then he's got almost identical size and length to Bequette. Carter also has 34 1/2" arms.

Chandler Jones is 6' 5 1/2". He should be able to bulk up to the 270-280#. Trevor Scott is 6'5". He was 256# coming out of college. I wouldn't be surprised to see him play a bit heavier. That would give the Pats 4 DEs with great length and size who have the ability to play on the line or in space. Very nice.

Carter certainly comes across as an articular and mature kid in the interview. I'm going to be rooting much harder for him to make the squad now.

Again, thanks.

 

[BlueThunder]

Carter is a DE/OLB isn't he?

Alot less competition at OLB and if he's 275 lbs now he also has the size to play DE. If I were Cunningham, I might be a bit anxious. Assuming Ninkovich is a lock, his competition is White,Cunningham,Tarp.

 

[Joker]

The Green Joker will now give his "under the influence of Jetsanity" break down of the Markell pick....

I had him as the "SLEEPER!" of the draft last year and could see his upside is "UNLIMITED!", his ceiling "INFINITE!" and as of right now the "STEAL!!!!!" of the draft...can't wait until he's "BEASTIN!!!"...BB...unleash the "BEAST!!!!"

 

[patsfan13]

I had M Carter on my initial 53 guess based on his work on the ps last year (getting the black jrsey thing more than once + the pay raise). Listening to this and seeing his physical development I like him for the 53.

 

[patchick]

Carter is a DE/OLB isn't he?

Alot less competition at OLB and if he's 275 lbs now he also has the size to play DE. If I were Cunningham, I might be a bit anxious. Assuming Ninkovich is a lock, his competition is White,Cunningham,Tarp.

You sound like someone a LOT more certain of positional definitions for the 2012 Patriots than I am. How many of these players take the field at the same time, and in what roles or configurations?

Bequette, Jake 6-5 274
Jones, Chandler 6-5 265
Scott, Trevor 6-5 255
Carter, Markell 6-4 275
Hightower, Dont'a 6-4 260
Cunningham, Jermaine 6-3 260
Ninkovich, Rob 6-2 255

Here's hoping opposing offenses are just as confused as I am!

 

[patsfan13]

You sound like someone a LOT more certain of positional definitions for the 2012 Patriots than I am. How many of these players take the field at the same time, and in what roles or configurations?

Bequette, Jake 6-5 274
Jones, Chandler 6-5 265
Scott, Trevor 6-5 255
Carter, Markell 6-4 275
Hightower, Dont'a 6-4 260
Cunningham, Jermaine 6-3 260
Ninkovich, Rob 6-2 255

Here's hoping opposing defenses are just as confused as I am!

You could have 4 of the above on the field in some packages.

 

[Big-T]

You could have 4 of the above on the field in some packages.

I'd say 5, go 4-2-5 nickel:
Jones-Carter-Bequette-Scott
Mayo-Hightower

 

[mayoclinic]

You could have 4 of the above on the field in some packages.

See post #4.

 

[strngplyr]

275?

Bring on the "NASCAR package"! Jones-Carter-Carter (if brought back)-Bequette on 3rd & long? I like the sound of it.

On the interview: he sounds much older than he is, he sounds like a smart kid and a natural leader, I hope he sticks around.

...you're easily excited, aren't you? You really want to put 2 rookies, a kid from the PS, and a 33 year old coming off of a torn quad on the field together for the most crucial plays?

3 of these guys haven't played a snap in the NFL and we're acting like we have the Giants DL.

 

[BlueThunder]

You sound like someone a LOT more certain of positional definitions for the 2012 Patriots than I am. How many of these players take the field at the same time, and in what roles or configurations?

Bequette, Jake 6-5 274
Jones, Chandler 6-5 265
Scott, Trevor 6-5 255
Carter, Markell 6-4 275
Hightower, Dont'a 6-4 260
Cunningham, Jermaine 6-3 260
Ninkovich, Rob 6-2 255

Here's hoping opposing offenses are just as confused as I am!

There are few people here alot more into the x's and o's of the D that could answer that in greater detail than me. BB see's them in certain roles and some of them have the versatility to be used in both 4-3 and 3-4 packages. I believe Jones is one of those that can be a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 LB in time. Carter may be in the same category. Not sure Ninkovich could play with his hand in dirt, but I could be wrong. I see Hightower as a Run stopping MLB or an inside pass rusher in the 3-4.