The problem is I don’t know who the “just another guy” is yet. If it’s a rookie, can he handle the playing in the middle and understand the defense. What if he has to replace Bradie because of injury, then he would be making the calls on defense. At least Carp, if nothing else, knows the system. If it’s a vet, at this late hour my guess is he’s not top-caliber and again he would be learning the defense. Talent-wise I think anybody could match what we got in Carpenter, but how well could he handle a starting role, especially if he is just middle-of-the-road talent who doesn’t know the system well. All those fears swim in my brain until I know who the guy is.

Given all that, yes, in general I agree that almost anybody could replace Carp. I just have a little hang-up of a new guy coming in, having to learn the system and then be thrust into a starting role because of injury. And yes, I have fears of Bobby starting, too. ;-)

Several “other guys”, in fact, who are just as good as, or better than, Barbie should become available once pre-season games get under way. The first 3-4 draft picks should be from a “best available—except” list. “Except” means TE and RB, and perhaps OLB as well. Only if an ILB is the best available choice on the board should they draft one. Don’t reach! There are too many other needs.

If the coaches don’t feel confident that Carpenter can handle the job mid way through preseason, start talking to other teams. We are looking for a quality backup, not necessarily a starter.

Most of it went down during the Parcells era, the supposed draft genius. I was never a big fan of his drafts, sure we got some great players, but the two you mentioned in the parcells era were pretty obvious choices. The only move I really liked by Parcells (other then drafting Ware) was trading the first rounder to the Bills, for a draft choice next year, which ended up being the pick we got Ware with. At the time I was livid, thinking passing on Steven Jackson was absurd, but it definitely worked out in our favor. I have come to realize running backs are essentially a dime a dozen.

He did his job when asked, and is only two years into the job… there is nothing that says he can’t break into the starting lineup, and perhaps even be a force. I’m not saying he’s the next Ware, just that the jury’s out still.

that Parcells is a loyal guy, especially to some of his old players. Rob Carpenter was a player for the Tuna back in the Giants days and Rob’s boy Bobby was a LB for OSU. I don’t think Parcells would draft a friends son if he needed a player in a completely different position but if he needed a LB, and the son of his friend was available…well…why not?

Maybe Parcells thought he could get more out of Bobby than Bobby has to offer. I was all for this pick at the time, and since then, I have had a real regret. Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

With what little depth we have at ILB we need what we have plus some

you either have the toughness and physicality to do it or you don’t and Carp definitely doesn’t.

wouldn’t carp be asked to play the weakside ILB spot? i would think he would have less shedding to do, esp. if we picked up a meaty nt in the draft…

i dont know why we ever moved him from olb… he played brilliant in that seattle playoff game… maybei just saw the good he did in that game tho… its not like he’s small, someone just needs to teach him…
they need to do something of the sort of what they did to goldberg in mighty ducks, where they ductdaped him to the goal and had the team shoot pucks at him till he wasn’t scared anymore…

He’s just been playing the rop-a-dope during preseasons where he’s disappeared.

I’m telling you: another camp getting beat up by Bigg and Colombo may be just what he needs to get over the hump. Brooking should show him how to grow a mean handlebar mustache too.

But even if he does, he’ll still get bashed constantly. I’d be willing to bet that if he took over for Brookings in the middle, he’d lead the team in tackles. But so many people are so turned off of him that all we’d hear about is how he got pushed back on a play, or how he didnt get clear through traffic on another. It won’t matter how well he actually plays, he’ll still get crap from many, many people. It doesnt matter if he’s Ray Lewis in his prime, many people will still find fault with his play. You watch.

Carpenter will get grief regardless of what he does on the field.

Moving Greg Ellis was easier than expected.

they just dont have the depth to trade or release him.

What was here when he got here and what it looked like when he left. Let me sum it up. Very few players anyone else in the league would have taken if they were given away when he got here; the year after he left 13 pro bowlers.