PRO: Bobby Carpenter, who has played an instrumental role on special teams the past three seasons, looks to assume a greater role in the Cowboys defense with the loss of Kevin Burnett to free agency. The Cowboys selected Bobby Carpenter with their first pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, giving them a tough, athletic linebacker who can play inside and outside in the 3-4 scheme. Carpenter has the size and speed to be an effective run stopper and pass rusher while also displaying the ability to cover backs or tight ends in the passing game. His playing time has been limited in his first three seasons in the deep Dallas linebacking corps, but a midseason injury to Greg Ellis in 2006 accelerated Carpenter's development, and he was a solid contributor on the outside by season's end. He also surfaced as a strong special teams performer finishing second on the team in 2007, seventh in 2008 and tied for eighth in 2006. Carpenter came to Dallas as one of the most accomplished players from Ohio State in recent years. He is the son of former NFL running back Rob Carpenter, who played for the N.Y. Giants (1983-85) under former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, who drafted Bobby.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
4/29/06: Drafted in the first round (18th overall) by Dallas.
2008:
Saw time in 13 games to contribute five tackles on defense and nine tackles on special teams.
Posted a season-high three tackles at St. Louis (10/19).
Made two special teams tackles along with a fumble recovery on the opening kickoff of the second half against Tampa Bay (10/26).
Registered two special teams tackles against Seattle (11/27).
2007:
Played in 16 games - mostly on special teams - finishing second on the team with 21 special teams tackles and two stops on defense.
Tied for the team lead with two special teams stops against the N.Y. Giants (9/9).
Led the team with four special teams tackles at Chicago (9/23).
Against Minnesota (10/21), delivered a key block to free Patrick Watkins on his 68-yard block field goal return for a touchdown. Assisted on one tackle on defense.
Led the team with a season-high five special teams tackles against Philadelphia (12/16).
Saw action on special teams and downed a Mat McBriar punt at the three-yard line and recorded one tackle in the playoff loss to the N.Y. Giants (1/13/08).
2006:
Spent most of his rookie year learning both the outside and inside linebacker positions in the Cowboys 3-4 scheme and playing on special teams.
A season-ending injury to outside linebacker Ellis forced him into the lineup late in the season, where he made one regular season start and finished with 11 tackles.
Inactive for the season-opener at Jacksonville (9/10).
Played his first regular season game against Washington (9/17) in a limited role as part of the Dallas nickel defense and on special teams.
Recorded his first professional tackle on special teams at Washington (11/5).
In the win at Arizona (11/12), recorded a special teams tackle and played strongside linebacker late in the game after Ellis sustained his season-ending injury.
Split time with Al Singleton at strongside linebacker and recorded his first career defensive tackle against Indianapolis (11/19).
At Atlanta (12/16) recorded his first career sacks, splitting a third-quarter sack of Michael Vick with DeMarcus Ware and getting his first solo sack on the next possession.
Had a regular season single-game high three tackles and added a special teams tackle against Philadelphia (12/25).
Earned his first NFL start at outside linebacker in the season-ending loss to Detroit (12/31) and had two tackles and a pass breakup.
In the wild card loss at Seattle (1/6/07), made his second start and had his best game as a professional, recording a season-high five tackles, a tackle for a loss and deflecting three passes.
COLLEGE:
Finished his Ohio State career 10th on the school's all-time sacks list with 14.5 along with 191 career tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss and three interceptions.
As a member of one of the best linebacking corps in college that season, helped Ohio State lead the nation in rushing defense and finish fifth in total defense and scoring defense.
Earned All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors for the second consecutive year after posting 49 tackles, a career-high eight sacks, 10.5 tackles for a loss and three pass deflections as a senior.
The Buckeyes finished 10-2 and earned a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, where they defeated Notre Dame.
As a junior, was an All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection after posting a career-high 93 stops, two sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. He also intercepted three passes and had three pass deflections.
Played in every game, including four starts at strongside linebacker, and recorded 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss as a sophomore.
The Buckeyes went 11-2, including a win over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.
In 2002, played in every game as a special teams player and reserve linebacker. The Buckeyes went 14-0 and won the national championship by beating Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
PERSONAL:
Robert Joseph Carpenter attended Lancaster, Ohio, High School, where he played football for his father.
Was a first-team All-Ohio choice as a senior, and Rivals.com rated him the 13th-best outside linebacker in the country.
Finished his high school career with 128 tackles and 12 tackles for a loss.
As a member of the Lancaster swim team, advanced to the district finals in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle.
Graduated with a degree in business from Ohio State.
Participated in the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program, attending the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in the spring of 2008.
He and wife, Cortney, were married March 15, 2008.
COMMUNITY:
2006 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
2007, 2008, 2009 Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Tailgate Party for North Texas Food Bank.
2007 Dallas Cowboys Draft Day/ Fan Appreciation Party.
2007, 2008 Cowboy Wives Christmas Party for The Family Place.
2008 Poker for Pets for SPCA of Texas.
Annual team Holiday Hospital Visits.
Annual team Kick Off Luncheon and Cowboys Family Cookbook benefiting Happy Hill Farm.
Annual Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
