Today is the start of a new little miniseries I am going to do where I delve in on one particular player, chosen at random. Aka, whoever I feel like talking about. I will give some basic background info, their contract, where they can help this team, and their chances of making the team. After a lot of people have been talking about Bobby Carpenter, we wil start with him today.
Background Info: He was the 18th pick in the '06 draft by the Cowboys coming out of Ohio State. He was quite a disappointment (96 tackles in 4 years) as he never really managed to carve out a starting role in D-town. He was pretty much used as a backup nickel (coverage) linebacker. He was picked up and cut by a few teams in 2010, finally ending up with the Lions midway through the season. He stuck on with them again last year, before coming to NE this year.
Contract: 50k signing, 25k workout bonus. 700k base salary. So, those bonuses, he has already earned, if they cut him before the season, that 700k is off the books and he gets none of it. Small contract, so he has made it so economics will not play any part in whether he makes this team, just his play.
Where He Can Help This Team: It sounds as though Carpenter has been getting a lot of first team reps. He is mostly going to be the nickel linebacker. A nickel linebacker comes in on obvious passing situations. In this, you have 4 Defensive Lineman, 2 coverage linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. There is also the 3-3-5 nickel. He will also likely play in dime (6 defensive backs). All of these are known as "sub defenses". He likely will not see any time in base defense (4 DBs) 3-4, or 4-3, whichever they run this year (probably a little of both). His best chance would be in the 4-3, but I don't see it with Mayo, Spikes, and Hightower all apparently ahead of him. Since the Pats were in sub 57% of snaps on defense last year, you can see how he has a nice shot at getting some solid playing time. He will basically fill the role they hoped Gary Guyton could, and the one Tracy White butchered in the Super Bowl.
Chances of Making This Team: His biggest competition is going to be with Jeff Tarpinian, Tracy White, and Dane Fletcher. I think maybe two of that group make the team, and the rest of those guys have special teams versatility. I am not sure what their plans are for him in special teams, but he will likely need to be on a unit or two in order to secure a roster spot. From all accounts though, he seems to be ahead of all those guys, and by a long shot. He has looked fast, crisp and Belichick seems to like him, so I am giving him 95% to make the roster. I think he is on there. We need a solid "sub" linebacker to help our 3rd down percentage (43.1%, 28th in the league), and hopefully, Bobby Carpenter is that.
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