The Man Who Stopped Both Suh And McCoy
April 5th, 2010
Friday night, Joe was fortunate to speak with one of the very few college football offensive linemen who played against Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy multiple times but never gave up a sack to either one, Texas Tech guard Brandon Carter.
The Bucs flew Carter in for a workout last week. Carter discussed with Joe his chances to play for the Bucs, what makes Suh or McCoy so good, the virtues of face paint, and a secret conversation he had with Bucs general manager Mark Dominik.
Nebraska defensive tackle manbeast Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy are widely regarded as the two best players in the 2010 draft.
Bucs fans have been drooling at the thought the Bucs may just land one of the two later this month.
There’s also a possibility the Bucs could draft a guy who owned both of them: Texas Tech offensive guard Brandon Carter.
The former first-team All-Big XII offensive lineman, Carter never allowed a sack against either Suh or McCoy. Carter, who was flown in last Thursday to meet with the Bucs, last gave up a sack when he was a sophomore in 2007 to Missouri defensive end Ziggy Hood, who is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Clearly, the Bucs like Carter, or they wouldn’t have coughed up the cash to fly him in. Each NFL team is allowed to bring in 30 prospects who do not reside locally.
“The offensive line coach [Pete Mangurian], he said there were three things they like in an offensive lineman: tough, smart and love to play football,” Carter told Joe from his home in Texas Friday night. “They said they can tell from the film I fit all three. They said they loved the way I played so physical and they are looking for a physical lineman.
“It was nerve-wracking [at One Buc Palace] but it was fun.”
Joe was geeked to hear this, but Joe wanted to know the lowdown: Exactly what makes Suh and McCoy so good? Carter helped inform Joe.
“I think Suh was one of the greatest college defensive linemen of all time and potentially he could be one of the greatest NFL linemen of all time,” Carter said. “He has the ability that most other human beings are not even close to having. He can move people at will. He is incredibly strong. I don’t know him personally so I don’t know if he understands the game as well as others. But he makes such great plays, smart plays. He is just physical. I think with him, his [best asset] is his strength. He’s able to push linemen into the backfield or shed the block and throw the lineman into the backfield.
“That’s what he did against Texas [in the Big XII championship game]. He made me look good the way he played against Texas.”
Though Carter never gave up a sack against Suh, the first time the two locked horns Carter wasn’t quite prepared for how physical Suh was. That changed in their second meeting.
“The first time I played against him I didn’t know him and didn’t know a lot about him,” Carter said. “This year I prepared well and I only gave up four tackles. To me, that is a huge credit because of how hard I worked. I watched a ton of film on him. I was definitely happy when I played that well against him. “
McCoy is effective, too, just for different reasons.
“They are two totally different guys,” Carter said of any comparisons between Suh and McCoy. “McCoy is quicker and faster. Whenever I watched him on film, I can tell he is such a smart player. If an offensive lineman makes a mistake, he will take advantage of it. He’s one of those kind of players; he’s willing to go around you.
“He has great moves and great mechanics. He is just a great technician.”
Carter found out that he was brought in to One Buc Palace for two different reasons. First, the Bucs are very interested in him playing for them. Second, they wanted to know more about Suh and McCoy.
Bucs general manager “Mark Dominik, the very last question was, he asks me, ‘So, you played against two of the best defensive tackles in the country. If you were drafting, who would you pick, Suh or McCoy?'” Carter said.
Carter answered Dominik’s question, but he wouldn’t tip off Joe what the answer was.
“That’s just between me and him,” Carter said. “I don’t want anyone to have any hurt feelings out there. One of those guys might be a teammate next year.”
Carter was more than impressed with the Bucs and gushed over the facilities at One Buc Palace,
“If you can’t get something done there, you can’t get it done. It’s amazing,” Carter said. “I love the Tampa Bay area. It’s beautiful there. I would love to play there.”
Carter did most of his training and preparation for the combine and pro days in Wellington and has fallen in love with Florida, which is another reason he hopes the Bucs pick him.
“Even though it was kind of chilly for Florida this winter it was still a lot warmer than Texas,” Carter said. “I was running around in shorts and windows rolled down and people thought I was nuts.”
In case Carter doesn’t ring a bell with people, he’s the guy for the Red Raiders that goes all out painting his face, and his hair, for games. It started as a prop to overcome nerves.
“It’s something I always did, it pumps me up, psyche myself out,” Carter said. “I am a huge history buff. All the warriors of the past when going to battle painted their faces. Seeing pictures of them, it was cool-looking in my opinion. I did it for my first start [at UTEP]. I was nervous. I went in there, put on my face paint, the fans started screaming at me and it pumped me up. I thought it was all right, let’s do it again.
“I played well so it took off from there.”
If the Bucs do indeed pick Suh or McCoy and Carter, with former Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman and defensive tackle Roy Miller already on the roster, Carter said they will bring local SEC fans a taste of what Big XII football is all about.
“I still think the Big XII is the best football in the country,” Carter said. “Yeah, the SEC has taken over right now, but we’ll instill some Big XII football into the Bucs.
“I met with Freeman a few minutes. He was there with three other [Bucs]. We talked about our games with K-State, he’s a good guy. It would be so cool to block for him. Seriously, two years ago we were opponents and now I would block for him? That would be pretty cool.”
April 5th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
If we get either DT and Carter in the 2nd with our first 2nd rd pick then i will be excited about this draft. This guy is a player i have been hoping we invite in to scout, as a former Opponent of both DT’s but as a Player in his own right he is a good guard and big like Freeman is.
It seems as though i’m not the only one who had this thought as well.
I hope we draft him.
April 5th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
odd..I’m ready the text of the above article….then on the radio…..Joe is blowing Carter on the Big Dog show….check the time stamp..Joe
April 5th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Joe here,
Not sure what you’re talking about RastaMon. This story posted at 5:30 before the interview.
April 5th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Was a Joe just on the BigDog show talkiing about Carter….I was feeding my face at the computer reading this article the Dumig is interview “somebody” talking about Carter and the jist of the above article
April 5th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Sounds to me like the only real reason they invited him is to get opinions on Suh and McCoy. Gaurd is not a big enough need on this team to use a 2nd round pick on.
Also, I don’t put too much stock in a “gaurd shutting down a defensive tackle” , because a gaurd and tackle are very rarely one-on-one all game. Most plays , especially when blocking the best lineman on the other team , you are going to get help from the Center .
April 5th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I’m glad that is only paint on his face!
Brought back memories of the boat guy in the leper colony in “papillon”.
Im thinking that his statement that Suh could become one of the greatest NFL Lineman of all time kinda answers the question of which one he recommended.
April 5th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Yes, RastaMan, you heard Joe on with “The Big Dog.”
April 5th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I believe carters a offensive tackle not a guard please correct me if I’m wrong joe !!! I would love to see this kid in pewter and red I guess we will see!
April 5th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
FYI, Suh collected posted 3 splash plays, 2 TFL’s and 4 QB hurries against Carter/Texas Tech that day. It wasn’t Suh’s best performance, but it also wasn’t Carter doing all the work on him alone.
April 5th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Look at his teammate holding him back. I like his look and apparent attitude. I just hope if we draft him that he isn’t Dunderhead 2.0.
April 5th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
radio , “guard” is a big need on this team! i dont know about you but im not a hugh fan of zuttah and not sure what sears is going to do! this guy is a beast and is great for the pass block…i would like too see him in pewter and red my self! not with a 2nd pick but maybe a 3rd?? the o-line needs some help too as much as the d-line. Why not get the kid that owned a potential great like suh/mccoy
April 5th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Looks like another badd ass like joseph trueblood and sears just plain mean!!I wish our big bucks center would grow a set and start mauling people.Then those dumb penaltys might not stick out.
April 5th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Rastamon…. Really? Get a clue dude.
April 5th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
After looking at a couple film clips available on Youtube, Carter is very intriguing. However, every site that I can find has him slotted somewhere between the 4th and 6th round. Don’t believe we need to jump out there in the second or third to get him. If he’s there in the fifth I believe his value surpasses the selection.
April 5th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Yes… it’s clear he thinks Suh is better , because he said Suh could be the best ever, and McCoy is just “smart”
So, that means pretty much everyone in the world agrees Suh is better , except Palowski, LOL.
April 5th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Carter and Hovan can have a make-up party before every game while Freeman gets a perm. We may suck next year but at least we’ll look good!
April 5th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Hey man a fellow grunge dude in Tampa – forget them little WR;s prancing around. Give me a shot at Carter. YEAH
April 5th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Hey Joe where did you learn to tell time? I put things aside and tuned into the Big Dawg at 1630 hours and had to listen to LeRoy and basketball – Joe1 didn’t come on until 5:30
Or did you mean you’d be on 4:30 CST?
April 5th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Was Brandon Carter auditioning for a role in Nightmare on Dale Mabry?
April 5th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
good story, Joe.
April 5th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
George:
Thanks.
Mr. Lucky:
That’s radio. You have to be flexible. Lee Roy Selmon was available for an interview at that time, and guess who was cutting a check for WDAE to have a remote at his restaurant? Plus, all things being equal, who would you rather listen to, Lee Roy Selmon or Joe?
April 5th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Wow…I never knew so many of you choose who you want simply by how elaborate thier face-paint is.
Maybe you guys should try pro wrestling , where that sort of thing actually matters. LOL
April 6th, 2010 at 1:16 am
To not allow a sack since 2007 is a feat for anyone. If we could get him in the 5th, jump on it. Who knows what Sears will do so having a back up plan is always needed. Especially if its a great player that you get in the 5th round!!!!!
April 6th, 2010 at 8:29 am
WOW, people, settle down. One article on the kid and a bunch of think he is second round material ready to start. Most predictions show him as a 5-7th rounder. He is a big physical run blocker who deos well against the pass because of size. He is not very athletic and can get beat by quickness though. That is what I read in a few places. I have also seen him as a 4th rounder, but mostly as 5 or 6.
If the Bucs select him at GUARD (not a tackle, too slow) then that concerns me. It tells me they do not think that Sears is coming back ready to go any time soon, if he was, then OT would be the depth to address. Unless they have confidence in the OT they drafted last year, Xavier Fulton.
April 6th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Anyone who thinks OG is not a need, question yourself if there is no need to find a better G than Zuttah who is mediocre pass blocker and sucks in run blocking.
April 6th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Jonny:
Joe’s not ready to throw the towel in on Zuttah. He may have underperformed last year for a variety of reasons, including playing left guard may not be his strength.
In 2008 as a rookie he filled in for David Joseph at right tackle and you never heard Zuttah’s name called, which is the best compliment you can give an offensive lineman.
April 6th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
We should just draft Okung at 3 and move Penn to RT. Trade Trueblood for a player/pick. Then draft this guy in the 5th.
Starting OL would be
LT Okung
LG Carter
C Faine
RG Joseph
RT Penn
That has potential to be one of the leagues best!!! Lets just hope they stay healthy.
This is all depending on if Suh is there at 3 or not of course!!