Bobby Carpenter (American football)
Encyclopedia
Robert J. Carpenter III (born August 1, 1983 in Lancaster, Ohio
) is an American football
linebacker
for the Detroit Lions
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft
after playing college football
at Ohio State
.
Carpenter has also played for the St. Louis Rams
and Miami Dolphins
.
in Lancaster, Ohio
. In addition to being a football
standout, Carpenter was also a member of the swim
team. During his senior year, Carpenter was selected as All-Ohio first team (football), and also went to the District Finals in swimming.
In 2002, Carpenter played in every game as a true freshman at Ohio State in 2002 and led the team with twelve tackles (8 solos). He appeared in every game, starting three contests, at strong-side outside linebacker in 2003. He totaled 37 tackles (24 solos) with 4.5 sacks, 6.5 stops for losses and a pair of forced fumbles.
He was a full-time starter in 2004, lining up at strong-side linebacker. He finished second on the team with 93 tackles (46 solos) and registered two sacks with 6.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Carpenter also deflected three passes and intercepted three others. As a senior in 2005, Carpenter started first eleven games of the 2005 season He finished fifth on the squad with 49 tackles and second on the team with eight sacks and 10.5 stops for losses, earning second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. In the final game he fractured his right fibula and was unable to play in the Fiesta Bowl.
to the St. Louis Rams
for offensive tackle Alex Barron on May 10, 2010.
He was cut on September 4, 2010.
who drafted him with the Dallas Cowboys
. He was waived on October 18.
on October 20, 2010.
On October 2, 2011 he returned an interception for a touchdown which sparked a come-from-behind victory against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys.
and Los Angeles Rams running back
Rob Carpenter. Bobby has three younger brothers: Jonathan, Georgie & Nathan.
Lancaster, Ohio
Lancaster is a city in Fairfield County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,780. It is located near the Hocking River, approximately southeast of Columbus, Ohio. It is the county seat of Fairfield County...
) is an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
after playing college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
.
Carpenter has also played for the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
and Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early years
Carpenter attended Lancaster High SchoolLancaster High School (Ohio)
Lancaster High School is a secondary-level public high school located in Lancaster, Ohio and is the only high school within the Lancaster City Schools district. The current building was opened during the fall of 1963, at a cost of $3,198,991.87...
in Lancaster, Ohio
Lancaster, Ohio
Lancaster is a city in Fairfield County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,780. It is located near the Hocking River, approximately southeast of Columbus, Ohio. It is the county seat of Fairfield County...
. In addition to being a football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
standout, Carpenter was also a member of the swim
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
team. During his senior year, Carpenter was selected as All-Ohio first team (football), and also went to the District Finals in swimming.
College career
In 50 games at Ohio State, Carpenter started 26 times. He registered 191 tackles (121 solos) with 14.5 sacks and 23.5 for losses. He forced two fumbles, deflected seven passes and had three interceptions.In 2002, Carpenter played in every game as a true freshman at Ohio State in 2002 and led the team with twelve tackles (8 solos). He appeared in every game, starting three contests, at strong-side outside linebacker in 2003. He totaled 37 tackles (24 solos) with 4.5 sacks, 6.5 stops for losses and a pair of forced fumbles.
He was a full-time starter in 2004, lining up at strong-side linebacker. He finished second on the team with 93 tackles (46 solos) and registered two sacks with 6.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Carpenter also deflected three passes and intercepted three others. As a senior in 2005, Carpenter started first eleven games of the 2005 season He finished fifth on the squad with 49 tackles and second on the team with eight sacks and 10.5 stops for losses, earning second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. In the final game he fractured his right fibula and was unable to play in the Fiesta Bowl.
Pre-draft
Dallas Cowboys
Carpenter was the Dallas Cowboys' 1st round pick, 18th overall, in the 2006 draft. Over his four year stint he failed to establish a starting role, racking up 96 tackles during his Cowboys career. During a 2008 episode of NFL's Hard Knocks, Carpenter was continuously beaten in a pads and shorts practice by Cowboys right tackle Marc Colombo. During that episode Colombo referred to Carpenter as "Barbie Carpenter" also making fun of his shoulder length blonde hair and his lack of toughness. Carpenter in 2009 was the starting nickel linebacker.St. Louis Rams
Carptenter was traded from the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
to the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
for offensive tackle Alex Barron on May 10, 2010.
He was cut on September 4, 2010.
Miami Dolphins
On September 6, 2010, the Miami Dolphins signed Bobby Carpenter as a free agent reuniting him with Bill ParcellsBill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
who drafted him with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. He was waived on October 18.
Detroit Lions
Carpenter was signed as a free agent by the Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
on October 20, 2010.
On October 2, 2011 he returned an interception for a touchdown which sparked a come-from-behind victory against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys.
Personal
Carpenter is the son of former Houston Oilers, New York GiantsNew York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Los Angeles Rams running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Rob Carpenter. Bobby has three younger brothers: Jonathan, Georgie & Nathan.