Bobby Carpenter back to ILB

[PonyExpress]

Czarnecki reports on the struggles Carpenter had playing for Parcells and in Parcells' 3-4 scheme. It's another indication of why the Pats are so reluctant to draft a young buck to fill the position.
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/NFL_Czar/2007/05/29/Another_shot_at_Tuna

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Yeh, Ol' Wade's defense is much easier and less structured, how 'bout them post-season Chah-gers eh?

 

[patchick]

“It's tough because Bill (Parcells) doesn't always communicate everything really well,” Carpenter said. “It was tough for me trying to get a feel for what was going on and what they expected out of me and what their goals were for me to be out on the field.
...
“Last year was a little difficult," Carpenter said. “But with this defense, it allows you to run and make more plays. It's not near the structure of how you have to play within the scheme. You get to let your athletic ability take over.”


Suddenly having flashbacks to the pre-draft rumors that questioned Carpenter's mental aptitude for the position...

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Smart and Disciplined is the key

I can see why young players would struggle playing LB for the Pats. All their football lives, they are taught to run to the ball, be athletic and to make plays.

But in New England, they have to disregard all that and learn to play in a specific gap and/or zone, read 80 different keys in the blink of an eye and understand what the other 10 players on the defense are doing at all times, before they can run to the ball, be athletic and make a play.

The key to the New England defense is discipline, but you also have to be athletic and smart as well.

At the end of the day I'm not saying that BB will never take a LB in round 1 that will start from day 1, but I am saying that clearly BB prefers veterans for these key positions.

 

[cstjohn17]

Re: Smart and Disciplined is the key

At the end of the day I'm not saying that BB will never take a LB in round 1 that will start from day 1, but I am saying that clearly BB prefers veterans for these key positions.

Truer words have never been spoken, almost the perfect balance of optimism and reality.

The highest LB drafted by BB was the immortal 'Hakim Akbar' at pick 163 (round 5) in 2001. So anything from rounds 1-4 will be something new. Just like every other year I expect the Pats to draft a LB on Day 1 and a CB...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/teams/NE

 

[chowder]

Re: Smart and Disciplined is the key

Truer words have never been spoken, almost the perfect balance of optimism and reality.

The highest LB drafted by BB was the immortal 'Hakim Akbar' at pick 163 (round 5) in 2001. So anything from rounds 1-4 will be something new. Just like every other year I expect the Pats to draft a LB on Day 1 and a CB...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/teams/NE

Somebody correct me if i'm wrong, but even here I believe that Akbar was groomed to be a safety for the Pats so he would not have been a linebacker in our system even if he played the position in college.

 

[cstjohn17]

Re: Smart and Disciplined is the key

Somebody correct me if i'm wrong, but even here I believe that Akbar was groomed to be a safety for the Pats so he would not have been a linebacker in our system even if he played the position in college.

Honestly I wouldn't recognize him if was pumping my gas. If your premise is true then the title goes to Ryan Claridge at pick 170 from 2005.

LBs are a crap shoot, just like WRs, Safeties, O Lineman, QBs and many other positions. Still, in theory it makes sense that a player drafted at 18 will have a better chance than a player drafted 170.

Carpenter hasn't broken through at Dallas but if he played for the Patriots his expectations would have been lower as he wouldn't have been rushed into action. I think he would still be a good fit on our defense and likely would have done at least as well as Alexander as a spot starter. It would at least provide some hope for the future.

OLB - Colvin, Woods
ILB - Bruschi, Ahmad Brooks, Alexander
ILB - Seau, Carpenter
OLB - Thomas, Vrabel

Practice Squad
Lua
Rogers
Bissinger

 

[PonyExpress]

Re: Smart and Disciplined is the key

Honestly I wouldn't recognize him if was pumping my gas. If your premise is true then the title goes to Ryan Claridge at pick 170 from 2005.

LBs are a crap shoot, just like WRs, Safeties, O Lineman, QBs and many other positions. Still, in theory it makes sense that a player drafted at 18 will have a better chance than a player drafted 170.

Carpenter hasn't broken through at Dallas but if he played for the Patriots his expectations would have been lower as he wouldn't have been rushed into action. I think he would still be a good fit on our defense and likely would have done at least as well as Alexander as a spot starter. It would at least provide some hope for the future.

OLB - Colvin, Woods
ILB - Bruschi, Ahmad Brooks, Alexander
ILB - Seau, Carpenter
OLB - Thomas, Vrabel

Practice Squad
Lua
Rogers
Bissinger

According to ProFootballWeekly, Carpenter is working as a 2nd string ILB behind Kevin Burnett (whom some Pats fans also pined for a few years back) and Bradie James (who just received a hefty extension). Carpenter's prospects for significant playing time are sketchy. Burnett is a china doll, so he may slip in there. But at OLB, where I thought he was progressing nicely in the playoff game vs. Seattle, they already have Ellis and now Spencer to go along with Ware (who together with Merriman and Will Smith is my pick for DPY 2007).

When I saw Carpenter play vs Seattle, I saw great effort and athleticism. I therefore believe what is holding him back is either intelligence or character related. I'm leaning toward the latter. He had an immature attitude that rubbed alot of people the wrong way at Ohio State. He was a prima donna at the Ohio State pro day. Vrabel did not give him his blessing when asked. It may be that Carpenter will not hit his stride until his 2nd team, after he has matured considerably and the arrogance has been rubbed off. Hopefully, Dallas will give up on him after 2008, and the Pats can snatch up another steal. He has all the physical talent in the world.

 

[chowder]

Re: Smart and Disciplined is the key

Honestly I wouldn't recognize him if was pumping my gas. If your premise is true then the title goes to Ryan Claridge at pick 170 from 2005.

Yes, I think that Claridge was a college LB that was projected to remain at that position for our team. I thought he had great potential and it's too bad that things did not work out with him.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Another reason why the Pats have drafted so few LB's is because so few college teams play the 3-4 and any time you have to project a player into a different system and different position it is very difficult.
As said earlier, it basically becomes a crap shoot. BB has obviously decided not to gamble on some players that to us looked very enticing and instead gambled with lsecond day draft picks and UFDAs. BB has has some lemons, Claridge, Turner, and Mincey, but he's had a little success as well TBC and a couple of UFDAs.

I see a couple of guys in the 2008 draft that could end the drought. Goff, Brinkley and Lemetruis depending on how they run, and hopefully there are others yet to be discovered.

I'm still hoping we use one of our 1st on a CB.

 

[dryheat44]

I'm still hoping we use one of our 1st on a CB.

If Samuel is traded or holds out until game 10, what's you're feeling on gambling a second round pick on Oliver?

 

[cstjohn17]

If Samuel is traded or holds out until game 10, what's you're feeling on gambling a second round pick on Oliver?

If he grades out well, I like the idea of taking Oliver. Hobbs is the only CB under contract next year. Oliver could play as the 4th or 5th CB this year and then grow into a larger role. If somehow Samuel is locked up then we have a very good core of young CBs (Samuel, Hobbs, Oliver). If Samuels leaves either before or after the 07 season at least we have a player with some upside and two young CBs under contract for the next 2-3 years.

I would bid our second pick, if we get outbid so be it. Others have suggested using the 3rd rounder from Oakland. There isn't much difference in the two picks but if it helps land him they I am ok with using the 2nd.

He good size, 6'0 , 205 and might be able to play FS in a pinch. In the past the Patriots tend to prefer smaller CBs (Samuel, Hobbs, Stark, Poole, Gay). It could be interesting, I don't think they make a move and stick with the backup plans (Gay, Scott, James).

 

[DaBruinz]

If he grades out well, I like the idea of taking Oliver. Hobbs is the only CB under contract next year.

Actually, CB Eddie Jackson is under contract for next year though he'll be an IR or PUP candidate this year. Mike Richardson should also be under contract unless he gets cut, but early reports is that he's taking a LOT of reps and holding his own, so he could very well end up being the 4th or 5th CB on the team

That being said, the Pats do need young blood back there.