Arizona Cardinals Late Round Gems: David Carter

by cdeveau on Sep 10, 2011 11:24 PM MDT

Hello once again Arizona Cardinals fans. Today we focus on No. 79 of the Cards as our topic for the late round gems:

In his rookie year, David Carter, one of the Cards 6th round draft picks has drawn positive words from both coach Whisenhunt and coach Horton. He is getting looks in the D unit as both NT and DE, and is listed on the depth chart as the second NT behind Dan Williams. And because Williams has had trouble with weight and conditioning, Carter will see a good amount of playing time.

A number of you are positive on his potential as well: Kristen87 says, "David Carter looks like he’s going to be a stud." (BTW, Kristen is new, make sure to say hi!) Seth Pollack says, "The other guy to watch for is David Carter. He looks far more mobile than Dan Williams and Whisenhunt speaks very highly of him."

Others aren't overly sold: tw3kr says, "Everybody seems to be getting on-board the David Carter bus, but I am hugely excited for Williams to be the starter at NT."

With that being said, let's take a look at what Cards fans should know about Carter.

He was projected as a late round prospect, rounds 5 - 7. ProFootballWeekly said, "6th Round Pick Carter a Project for 2011". He wasn't invited to the combine. He only started his senior season at UCLA. Whew, those are some bleak looking reports. So where's the positive?

Well, at his pro day, the 6'5", 297# senior ran a 4.98 40 and looked decent in his other drills. He played NT, DE, and DT for UCLA. And something that seems to be a theme for the Cardinals, he played well at the Shrine Bowl, able to force the double team and get to the ball. His senior year he compiled 41 TCKL, 5 TFL, and 3.5 SCKS.

But is he really a NT for a 3-4 D? Well, in my Cards front 7 D comparison, I pulled the NT stats and player info the NT position. Starting Pittsburgh Steelers NT Casey Hampton is listed at 6'1', 325# while Dan Williams is 6'3", 327#. The Steelers backup at NT, Chris Hoke is 6'2", 305#. The Cardinals have Carter listed at 300#. My fear is that at 6'5", he is and plays too tall for NT. That good O linemen will get under his pads and drive him back to the MLBs.

Rather he fits the DE mold. He has long arms and can work the OT from the edge. Backing up Calais Campbell would be huge for his learning growth, and as a strong rotation for coach Horton to work with. And having a backup DE who can play NT in a pinch really gives a D coordinator warm and fuzzies.

How about it folks, should the Cards look at Carter as a Campbell backup and find another "typical body" NT in next year's draft?

Poll

David Carter at NT after 2011 seson?

Yes, he is pushing Dan Williams and can only get better

61 votes

No, move him to DE to develop

32 votes

Maybe, who is available in the draft

19 votes

112 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.

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Comments

Comparing him to Williams, Hampton and plugs

like those two is very unfair, If Carter becomes a late round gem, what is wrong with him being a Jay Ratliff type of NT?

by Cardsfan928 on Sep 10, 2011 7:35 PM MDT reply actions

Because that is not what the 2 gap 34 scheme calls for. We need a plugger a 2 gap guy that takes up blockers and allows the LB’s to make the plays.

by khodder on Sep 10, 2011 7:46 PM MDT up reply actions

I dunno

Wade Phillips, Ron Rivera (post Williams in SD), and Mike Nolan all use NT’s that don’t fit the mold and have had quite a bit of success with it.

by Cardsfan928 on Sep 11, 2011 1:40 AM MDT up reply actions

That's exactly why.

6’5, your center of gravity is higher than a guy 6’1" or 6’2". DT in a 4-3 or 4-4, I’d have no argument with that. And we may even see such a package, don’t put it past Horton to get play-makers on the field.

Just a guy, because I was born that way.

by cdeveau on Sep 10, 2011 9:28 PM MDT reply actions

Expect to see Carter

used like Alan Branch. He will get time at end and tackle.

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by Jess Root on Sep 10, 2011 11:24 PM MDT reply actions

I agree.

He looks like a solid depth player who can fill in where needed. He does show some good athleticism at the nose but needs to keep that athleticism while adding some weight if we are going to count on him as the NT. Saw a lot of good stuff from Carter but did not see him bowl offensive linemen into the offensive backfield. Holliday and Eason are veterans of 14 and 9 years. More young defensive line depth needs to be brought in for the future. Carter’s versatility is a positive in his favor. It also gives the team the flexibility to take the best defensive lineman available at their place in the draft regardless of whether they fit better at nose or end. Would not be surprised at all for them to draft a more prototypical nose tackle in the next draft or two.

by hadrarius on Sep 11, 2011 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions

I like him

I see him as a pressure on Williams to perform the way he should. If he does that, Carter can be shifted around in the line.

by EnglishCard on Sep 11, 2011 2:29 AM MDT reply actions

Carter will be starting at DE when we opt not to re-sign Calais next year

by tw3kr on Sep 11, 2011 8:31 AM MDT reply actions

No

Calais Campbell is a rising young star. He just needs to be reminded to stay low when he plays.

by The Suns on Sep 11, 2011 9:19 AM MDT up reply actions

No way.

by GraydonS on Sep 12, 2011 7:42 AM MDT up reply actions

Agreed

Campbell is the prototype DE if Horton plans on mimicing LeBeau’s system

by Cardsfan928 on Sep 11, 2011 10:23 AM MDT reply actions

Oh, I'd love to keep him

I thought he was better than DD last year. Do you guys really think we’ll pay him if Carter plays well all year and projects as a DE? Remember that Antonio Smith guy?

by tw3kr on Sep 11, 2011 10:43 AM MDT up reply actions

I think they keep Campbell.

I don’t really see Carter as being significant to the issue. Our other defensive line depth is older veterans. Campbell isn’t being pushed by any of them. Unless he falls flat this year or has outrageous contract demands I think he sticks.

by hadrarius on Sep 11, 2011 10:55 AM MDT up reply actions

agreed Smith never looked as good as campbell at his best. plus campbell fits the 3-4 better than smith

they need to resign calais

by CardsDefense on Sep 11, 2011 11:42 AM MDT up reply actions

Does DD

have a trade clause in his deal?

by INSOMAN1ATIC on Sep 13, 2011 10:48 PM MDT up reply actions

To my knowledge

No. Anyone else confirm or deny this?

Just a guy, because I was born that way.

by cdeveau on Sep 14, 2011 12:33 AM MDT up reply actions

Willaims is the huge NT we need to run the 3-4

NT has to take on two blockers and free up the lbs to make plays in the 3-4. WIllams is that guy. No way Carter replaces him – but we need a back-up and we need a guy to come in and be a pass rushing NT.

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Sep 13, 2011 5:40 PM MDT reply actions