Player Profile Series: Bruce Carter

The player profile series is about looking into the future with players on the Cowboys roster.

The player must have 3 things going for them in order to be listed.

1. Having been with the Cowboys for 3 year's or less.

2. Must have been, or projected to be a starter for the Cowboys.

3. Must have an upside to them.

Bruce Carter

College: North Carolina

Position: OLB #54

Who is he? Carter came from a program at North Carolina under Butch Davis that had a lot of NFL players (Hakim Nicks, Greg Little, T.J Yates, and Quinn) Carter was a 2nd round pick and showed that the combination of him and Sean Lee could be a force to be reckoned with on 2012. In the 3-4 defense Carter excelled. In 2013 Carter seemed to have trouble switching to the 4-3 defense. A change in schemes is hard on most players but Carter has spent the last 2 seasons not playing the whole season. In 2012 Carter missed games and late last year Carter only started 13 games, being benched due to poor production in pass coverage. Carter raised his tackle number by 20+ tackles from 2012 to the 2013 season and even had 2 more sacks last season.

What is expected from him in 2014? Carter has got to be better in pass coverage. As I said before his production on the stat sheet has gone up in tackles, sacks and even pass deflections but with the Cowboys seeing more 3 wide receiver fronts and athletic running backs that can catch out of the backfield, Carter needs to be better. Carter has got to realize where he is on the field and where the running back is on passing situations. Carter looked really bad going against Danny Woodhead in week 4 in San Diego. With pass catching running back Darren Sproles entering the NFC East, Carter may be asked to shadow him and he can not have two games like he did in San Diego when asked to cover Sproles.

What he needs to work on? Carter takes bad angles on tackles. Doesn't defend tight ends, running backs or receivers coming out of the slot well. The off-season is key for Carter. Hopefully with Rod Marinelli taking the lead as the defensive coordinator and not having to work with a new different defensive lineman every week. The attention Carter can get from Marinelli will increase. Carter has to get this scheme as it is here to stay. Another thing that may help Carter is that if Dallas does draft a young linebacker in the 2nd or 3rd round.

What can this player be in the future? Last year we thought that Carter with Sean Lee could be one of the premiere line backing duos in the league. In 2013 Carter's play regressed. It could have been the move to the 4-3 that made Carter regress. The second year in the 4-3 could be key. Carter could show the ability he did a year ago or get overtook by Devonte Holloman. The draft can also play a key role in Carter's development. If Dallas drafts and outside linebacker early it could push Holloman and Carter into direct competition.

The best thing about Bruce Carter this year is the fact that he is in a contract year. On one hand I hate it when a player is in this stage. As they more than likely put up fool's gold numbers (See Jason Hatcher) but any boost or motivation that we can get with Carter will be welcomed. Carter is young enough that even if he does have a big year. It could be signs of progression and not just "playing hard for future money".

The third year is usually a tipping point for most players particularly on the defensive side of the ball. I know I am speaking of Carter as if he is a bust, which he is not. But Carter's problem is not that anyone thinks that he doesn't have the ability, it's simply a question of "where it went?". Sean Lee called Carter the most talented linebacker on this defense and that was not a stretch or Lee blowing smoke. Carter has shown he can be one of the best Will linebackers in the NFC. It is now a simply a question of can he bring that side of him out again.