Good Signs On Bruce Carter
March 12th, 2015
“The Closer”
Joe has been researching new linebacker Bruce Carter, purloined by the Bucs yesterday from Dallas. It seems Carter may have finally been realizing his potential last season.
A former second-round pick from North Carolina, Carter, per Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, finally had Rod Marinelli’s defense figured out.
Carter, 27, had an up-and-down career with the Cowboys since joining the organization as a second-round pick out of North Carolina in 2011. Carter flashed signs of greatness at times, but also had lapses that left coaches scratching their heads.
But he played well down the stretch last season, earning the nickname as “the closer” from defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. Carter finished the season with a team-high five interceptions, and was credited with 60 tackles by the coaches during the regular season. He had 19 tackles in the playoffs, including 12 in the season-ending loss to the Packers.
As we all know by now, Bucs coach Lovie Smith runs a very similar defense to Marinelli’s. Given Carter’s ability to cover in pass plays, Joe thinks Carter might have a shot to play middle linebacker. The main reason why the Bucs did not keep Mason Foster was his inability to defend in pass coverage.
And with Lovie, the most important skill for a middle linebacker in his defense is to defend the pass.
March 12th, 2015 at 11:09 am
Big Bad Bruce!
March 12th, 2015 at 11:12 am
I don’t know why they ever moved Foster. They should have left him at Sam.
So do we have a middle LB or not at this point? I’m confused.
March 12th, 2015 at 11:14 am
If the guy was consistant he’d still be a cowboy. These 3 signings make me think Lovie is making the call on the roster. I hope these guys work out and wheather Lovie knows what hes doing or not… you have to have an edge rusher to be good, i hope we can find one!
March 12th, 2015 at 11:15 am
like that he comes straight from being coached up by marinelli and kiffin. no adjustment period….so is that David & Carter on the outside and Lansanah in the middle until further notice?
March 12th, 2015 at 11:16 am
*whoops, should have finished reading the post first
March 12th, 2015 at 11:17 am
Cowboys are in cap trouble trying to resign Dez and Marco – Carter could very well be a cap casualty that they really didn’t want to see go. You can’t assume all FA are let go because they are no longer any good.
March 12th, 2015 at 11:18 am
If Carter can transition to the middle, it’s a great signing by the Bucs. They wouldn’t have to draft a MLB, leaving them one more pick to shore up the offensive line.
March 12th, 2015 at 11:23 am
Good pickup, but not enough. Hopefully there are plans in place to pick up either Stephone Anthony or Ben Heeney, both of which play Mike as their natural position.
March 12th, 2015 at 11:30 am
keep the Cowboy and Bear castoff train going…sign Selvie and Brian De La Puente…
March 12th, 2015 at 11:35 am
whether he’s the middle linebacker or not atleast we know who will be in coverage with lavonte david on passing downs, hopefully we stop trying to get our safties to cover big time tight ends now
March 12th, 2015 at 11:37 am
I think he’s going to be our MLB. If it’s cool with you joe everyone should really check out this video of him. He seems like exactly what we need.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4MavifiDLIg
March 12th, 2015 at 11:58 am
Zam Says
“I don’t know why they ever moved Foster. They should have left him at Sam.
So do we have a middle LB or not at this point? I’m confused.”
It’s not like we’ll go into the season without one. So relax. Enjoy the show.
March 12th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Looks like Carter will have to give up 54……..this may open up our #2 pick to Oline
March 12th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Could have used some ‘closing’ in the 4th quarter of several games last year.
March 12th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
carter’s versatility will pay off. conte scares me.
March 12th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
I love the signings so far, keep ’em coming.
March 12th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
I’m liking this signing.
March 12th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
“And with Lovie, the most important skill for a middle linebacker in his defense is to defend the pass.”
Carter has great speed for a LB. Perhaps he can cover a TE. Nobody else on the Bucs got anywhere near TE’s as they ran free through our secondary.
March 12th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
I think the “can he play MLB” or “who will be the MLB” questions are overstated. In the NFL these days with all the 3 WR sets, the nickel package is basically your starting defensive lineup. I would be more concerned who our third corner is than who our first string MLB is.
March 12th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
You know what kills me about some of you… You be quick to say that teams don’t let good players go… Well sometimes teams don’t have a choice and decisions have to be made… Just because they become a free agent or expendable doesn’t make them not good or not good for another team… Just be happy that Love and Licht are trying to make the team better. R-E-L-A-X
March 12th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
@Buc U
Your MLB is in on Nickel situations.. It’s your strong side LB that’s not in on those defensive sets so yea MLB is a huge position and matters in the nickel defenses..
Now I hope we sign a hybrid edge rusher that can play with his hand in the dirt and also play as a edge rushing lb like a Aldon Smith/Von Miller type player. I know that is not technically the “Tampa 2” way but damn we could get creative with a player with that type of skill set.
March 12th, 2015 at 1:58 pm
So he’s…Bucco Bruce?
March 12th, 2015 at 9:12 pm
Hey 1bucfanjeff if he earns it that sounds great.
March 13th, 2015 at 6:07 am
Zam Says:
March 12th, 2015 at 11:12 am
I don’t know why they ever moved Foster. They should have left him at Sam.
So do we have a middle LB or not at this point? I’m confused.
——————-
Foster was drafted to be the MLB… we had let Ruud walk via free agency that year and a starter was needed.