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Cowboys ILB Bruce Carter making progress, says 'just being on the field is a huge stride for me'
By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
3:14 PM on Wed., Jun. 6, 2012 |
IRVING -- Bruce Carter wanted to play more than he did last season. But the Cowboys' second-year inside linebacker understood why he didn't.
"I guess they felt like I wasn't ready," he said. "I kind of agree from learning what I know now, from last year. It's kind of like night and day. There's a whole lot you've got to learn..... I kind of agree with what they were doing with me last year."
After recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that he suffered during his senior season at North Carolina, Carter didn't make his professional debut until Week 8 in a game against Philadelphia. By then, the Cowboys had decided that Carter wouldn't play a significant role as a rookie and consequently he played only 41 snaps.
"He wasn't doing a whole lot for us on defense," coordinator Rob Ryan said. "Have a limited package, a couple of calls in -- that's why his production was down. He wasn't ready."
But the Cowboys hoped that Carter would make considerable progress during an offseason when Dallas made no effort to re-sign veteran inside linebackers Bradie James and Keith Brooking.
"From Year 1 to Year 2 is very significant in a player's development, particularly with a guy like that who was watching a lot in Year 1," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "You just want to see him playing and we're giving him every opportunity to do that."
Carter has directly benefited from the rehabilitation newly-signed linebacker Dan Connor has undergone since he had shoulder surgery earlier this year. During the Cowboys' organized team activities, Carter has been working alongside Sean Lee and the starters, getting the repetitions he was denied last year. And as it stands now, Garrett said, "he's starting at Mike linebacker for us and playing special teams."
"Last year, I was learning the defense but wasn't able to play," Carter said. "So just being on the field is a huge stride for me."
It's certainly a step in the right direction.
By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
3:14 PM on Wed., Jun. 6, 2012 |
IRVING -- Bruce Carter wanted to play more than he did last season. But the Cowboys' second-year inside linebacker understood why he didn't.
"I guess they felt like I wasn't ready," he said. "I kind of agree from learning what I know now, from last year. It's kind of like night and day. There's a whole lot you've got to learn..... I kind of agree with what they were doing with me last year."
After recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that he suffered during his senior season at North Carolina, Carter didn't make his professional debut until Week 8 in a game against Philadelphia. By then, the Cowboys had decided that Carter wouldn't play a significant role as a rookie and consequently he played only 41 snaps.
"He wasn't doing a whole lot for us on defense," coordinator Rob Ryan said. "Have a limited package, a couple of calls in -- that's why his production was down. He wasn't ready."
But the Cowboys hoped that Carter would make considerable progress during an offseason when Dallas made no effort to re-sign veteran inside linebackers Bradie James and Keith Brooking.
"From Year 1 to Year 2 is very significant in a player's development, particularly with a guy like that who was watching a lot in Year 1," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "You just want to see him playing and we're giving him every opportunity to do that."
Carter has directly benefited from the rehabilitation newly-signed linebacker Dan Connor has undergone since he had shoulder surgery earlier this year. During the Cowboys' organized team activities, Carter has been working alongside Sean Lee and the starters, getting the repetitions he was denied last year. And as it stands now, Garrett said, "he's starting at Mike linebacker for us and playing special teams."
"Last year, I was learning the defense but wasn't able to play," Carter said. "So just being on the field is a huge stride for me."
It's certainly a step in the right direction.
