Bobby Carpenter to the Rams for Alex Barron (1 Viewer)

[Blackjacks]

I guess both teams are still waiting for physical to go through. I like this deal for my Rams. Barron's welcome has been worn out and we drafted his replacement this last draft. I am looking forward to giving Laurinitaus some help at the LB position. No telling how good this kid could be with alittle support.

This deal makes since for Dallas also. I'm not sure if Barron will play RT or LT for them, all I know is get use to having 2-3 false starts called on him per game.

Report: Barron-for-Carpenter deal will happen

A league source tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the much-rumored Alex Barron for Bobby Carpenter trade "will happen."

Per NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, the trade will be finalized on Monday. Barron, a restricted free agent, must first sign his tender, and both players will have to pass physicals. Barron will slide into Doug Free's swing-tackle role in Dallas while Carpenter is expected to start at weak-side linebacker for the Rams. It's a sensible trade with both sides filling important needs. May. 6 - 5:43 pm et

Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

 

[Bankerguy]

Great, great trade for Dallas if it goes down. Carpenter is expendable for us with having quality depth at LB.

 

[oukurt]

Great, great trade for Dallas if it goes down. Carpenter is expendable for us with having quality depth at LB.

Man I am not so sure. If the Rams are trading away a tackle that could be protecting their franchise, he must not be worth a damn. I am also reading he is another false start machine. We just got rid of one of those in Flozell. Then again maybe its a change of scenery situation.

 

[Ridgelake]

Its a trade of one former first round pick who is a backup for another. Its a case of two teams trading away relative depth for relative lack thereof. If either guy was that great, this trade would not be happening. But as it stands, its a win-win for both sides.

Carpenter goes to a 4-3 defense where he'll be protected by a good set of d-linemen in front of him. It would not surprise me to see him really flourish in that environment. Cowboy fans who've watched him recognize that his biggest issue is shedding blocks. He'll be protected in the 4-3 and his speed and open field tackling should allow him to excel. And the Rams are short on LBs.

Barron has started at least a full season at both LT and RT. While he has issues with penalties and mental mistakes, he immediately comes into Dallas as the game day backup swing tackle. Having an experienced vet in that role has got to make Romo feel much safer. Do we really think Robert Brewster, last year's 3rd round pick, is ready for that role yet? No, Barron becomes the perfect backup olineman for Dallas.

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

 

[moondog]

One first round bust traded for another first round bust.

 

[Native]

Lots of trades this year...

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Alex Baron is one of the worst starting LT in all of football. Let me repeat that for those Dallas fans that think they found a replacement for Flozell...Alex Baron is one of the worst starting LT in the NFL.

Here is how we arrive at this conclusion. He allowed 24 QB pressures, 15 hits on his QB on top of 7 sacks that he gave up last year. His run blocking is pretty atrocious too compared to other starters in the league. Then you can add another 14 PENALTIES on top...TERRIBLE!!!

If this is just a bad LB in Carpenter being traded for a guy that can perhaps come off the bench in spot duty...OK, perhaps. But I would be more excited about Doug Free who only gave up 1 sack in 571 offensive snaps last season...that would put him on pace for only 2 sacks for an entire season. I have to assume Baron is being brought in to push Free a little bit but Doug Free right now is the better Tackle.

 

[Ridgelake]

MOP, as I mentioned above, Barron would likely become the backup swing tackle. The guy to come in if Free or Columbo gets hurt. He's likely better than the current options on the Dallas roster, either last year's 3rd rounder Robert Brewster, or career backup Pat McQuistan.

Free is the starter. He proved himself solid last year. They would not have cut Flozell if they did not believe Free was ready. They did not have to cut Flozell. They did because Free is better. And Flozell is materially better than Barron.

 

[Abrantes]

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

Love this trade for both sides, really. Barron was expendable with the drafting of Saffold, as the alternative would be shifting him to guard, where he's abysmal. Getting something for him - not to mention a possible starter - is a move I support wholeheartedly. I was very impressed with what the team managed to get out of Vobora last year, so I'm eager to see if they can pull a similar rabbit out of the hat with Carpenter.At least the Cowboys are better equipped to handle 1st-and-15 situations than the Rams.

 

[Routilla]

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

Love this trade for both sides, really. Barron was expendable with the drafting of Saffold, as the alternative would be shifting him to guard, where he's abysmal. Getting something for him - not to mention a possible starter - is a move I support wholeheartedly. I was very impressed with what the team managed to get out of Vobora last year, so I'm eager to see if they can pull a similar rabbit out of the hat with Carpenter.At least the Cowboys are better equipped to handle 1st-and-15 situations than the Rams.

Has this trade happened or are we still speculating?

 

[Phurfur]

Its a trade of one former first round pick who is a backup for another. Its a case of two teams trading away relative depth for relative lack thereof. If either guy was that great, this trade would not be happening. But as it stands, its a win-win for both sides.

Carpenter goes to a 4-3 defense where he'll be protected by a good set of d-linemen in front of him. It would not surprise me to see him really flourish in that environment. Cowboy fans who've watched him recognize that his biggest issue is shedding blocks. He'll be protected in the 4-3 and his speed and open field tackling should allow him to excel. And the Rams are short on LBs.

Barron has started at least a full season at both LT and RT. While he has issues with penalties and mental mistakes, he immediately comes into Dallas as the game day backup swing tackle. Having an experienced vet in that role has got to make Romo feel much safer. Do we really think Robert Brewster, last year's 3rd round pick, is ready for that role yet? No, Barron becomes the perfect backup olineman for Dallas.

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

 

[Ridgelake]

ESPN Dallas is saying thats its agreed in principle. Both need to pass physicals. Barron needs to sign his tender. The Rams have to agree to take on Carp's existing contract.

None of these things appear to be a problem. Should get done soon.

 

[road warrior]

Latest from Josh Ellis over at DC.com

Barron Reportedly Welcomes Trade

Entering perhaps his last weekend as a member of the St. Louis Rams, tackle Alex Barron is reportedly happy with the proposed trade that would bring him to Dallas in exchange for Bobby Carpenter.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch also reports a current sticking point with the deal is the Rams attempting to negotiate Carpenter's $.19 million playing time incentive.

Barron could sign his $2.621 million tender today, which would expedite a trade that is expected to be completed by Monday. Both players must also pass physicals.

C'mon Jerrah, let's get 'er done.

 

[Bankerguy]

Alex Baron is one of the worst starting LT in all of football. Let me repeat that for those Dallas fans that think they found a replacement for Flozell...Alex Baron is one of the worst starting LT in the NFL.

Here is how we arrive at this conclusion. He allowed 24 QB pressures, 15 hits on his QB on top of 7 sacks that he gave up last year. His run blocking is pretty atrocious too compared to other starters in the league. Then you can add another 14 PENALTIES on top...TERRIBLE!!!

If this is just a bad LB in Carpenter being traded for a guy that can perhaps come off the bench in spot duty...OK, perhaps. But I would be more excited about Doug Free who only gave up 1 sack in 571 offensive snaps last season...that would put him on pace for only 2 sacks for an entire season. I have to assume Baron is being brought in to push Free a little bit but Doug Free right now is the better Tackle.

Not sure any here is saying he is the Flo replacement. He is not. He is a swing tackle and will push Free and Columbo and is a decent backup with experience. We get him for a soft (and unpopular teammate) LB who would not have played much this anyway...thats why most Dallas fans are happy.

 

[Bankerguy]

Latest from Josh Ellis over at DC.com

Barron Reportedly Welcomes Trade

Entering perhaps his last weekend as a member of the St. Louis Rams, tackle Alex Barron is reportedly happy with the proposed trade that would bring him to Dallas in exchange for Bobby Carpenter.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch also reports a current sticking point with the deal is the Rams attempting to negotiate Carpenter's $.19 million playing time incentive.

Barron could sign his $2.621 million tender today, which would expedite a trade that is expected to be completed by Monday. Both players must also pass physicals.

C'mon Jerrah, let's get 'er done.

Carpenter is on Vacation and won't get to St Louis until Monday.

 

[•TheRealMcCoy]

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

Love this trade for both sides, really. Barron was expendable with the drafting of Saffold, as the alternative would be shifting him to guard, where he's abysmal. Getting something for him - not to mention a possible starter - is a move I support wholeheartedly. I was very impressed with what the team managed to get out of Vobora last year, so I'm eager to see if they can pull a similar rabbit out of the hat with Carpenter.At least the Cowboys are better equipped to handle 1st-and-15 situations than the Rams.

Well said. Now if Dallas signs Richie Incognito, they'll face 1st and 30! So lets hear Dallas fans chime in on Carpenter. When he came out I was a fan thinking he would be a later steal(2nd rd type). But havent heard much on him at all. Is it because of Dallas's depth at LB? Or is Carp just not that good?Thanks

 

[Bankerguy]

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Alex Barron: A Flo Po-Boy for Hudson Houck to Nosh On?

by Rafael Vela on May 7, 2010 10:10 AM EDT

Alex Barron was Stephen Jackson's best blocker. Can he give a similar push to the Cowboys runners?

Reach back in your mind and picture Flozell Adams. Oh, come on, it's not that hard or painful. Profile his game. What did you see?

On the strength side, I saw a guy who could run block from the minute he joined the team until the minute he left Valley Ranch. If there's one area where I feel Doug Free represents an almost certain downgrade next season, it's run blocking on off-tackle calls. The Cowboys have not been a straight-ahead power team in recent years, but Flozell tried. The '09 Cowboys ranked 4th in Football Outsiders' Adjusted Line Yards category for runs behind left tackle and 5th on runs wide of Adams, a testament to his power and the Cowboys' tight ends' effectiveness as edge blockers.

The combination of Doug Free and Marc Colombo didn't embarrass themselves, but they didn't push to Flozell's level either. They were middle of the pack on runs off right tackle.

On the downside, the '09 Adams showed us a tackle who could no longer ride speed rushers around the edge on a consistent basis. He was slow to recover on stunts and began taking personal foul flags in addition to his off-sides. Dallas had been able to tolerate his five-yard flags as the price for his effective pass protection and run blocking, but the cons pulled past Flozell's good points last season.

Keep Flozell Adams' game in mind when you contemplate what the Cowboys may gain in adding Alex Barron to their roster. Barron's profile reads like a younger Adams, in his positives and negatives. As such, he offers Hudson Houck the type of low-risk, high-reward challenge a top line coach can turn to his team's benefit.

Barron entered the league as one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects of the star-crossed '05 draft. He displayed uncommon physical skills, including a 37.5 inch arms and a 90 inch wingspan. Pro Football Weekly's Draft Preview rated him 2nd among O-linemen that season, just ahead of eventual Saint Jamaal Brown, and remarked that Barron was, "the most athletic left tackle some scouts have seen in the last ten years." On the down side, he was noted as a player who relied too much on his athleticism and who needed to improve his power. Barron was forecast to perform best for a winning team which could groom him behind veterans.

The '05 Rams at first appeared to be a decent place for Barron. He played the right tackle bookend to Orlando Pace on Mike Martz' last version of "The Greatest Show on Turf." The problem was that Martz's offense had grown old, and consequently the Wizard had lost his magic. Martz was fired a month into Barron's rookie season, starting a continuing spiral for the Rams organization.

The following year, Barron made an unplanned shift to left tackle when Pace injured a shoulder. Barron jumped back and forth between left and right tackle while Pace tried to regain his place. Barron finally returned to left tackle in '09, when rookie Jason Smith was plugged in at right tackle. Barron played erratically on pass plays, taking a lot of penalties, but in Flozell-style, did not allow a lot of sacks.

I have not found much data on his pass blocking, but he gave up a very respectable 2.5 sacks in '07, when he was the lone member of the line to put in a full season. Unlike Flozell, he doesn't have deafness in one ear to hinder his hearing snap counts.

Unlike Flozell, he can't point to deafness in one year as an excuse for his copious off-sides penalties.

Barron nonetheless offers some intriguing numbers which again remind of Adams. Here are the '09 Rams adjusted line yards for rushing plays:

Play location ALY Rank

Left End 4.70 12th

Left Tackle 5.27 2nd

Middle/Guard 3.70 28th

Right Tackle 3.88 22nd

Right End 2.67 30th

Note how much better the Rams ran behind Barron than behind anybody else. That 5.27 average was better than Adams', and suggests that Barron, if he can somehow be focused on the game at hand, could provide effective play at either tackle position.

It's hard to say if Houck can succeed. The fire has burned cool white in Barron thus far and may never intensify. Nonetheless, NFL coaches rely on size, speed and athleticism. Intelligence and instincts help, but won't overcome serious physical limitations.

Barron has no such limitations. Considering that he was obtained for Bobby Carpenter's contract, we have to rate him in relation to draft picks the Cowboys could have obtained in 4th or 5th rounds. Does anybody doubt that Barron rates as a better prospect than the names you have on those charts?

Barron looks like a poor man's Flozell Adams, and given his youth (he'll turn 28 in September) and durability he gives Hudson Houck and the Cowboys an intriguing option. At best, he could be a baby Flo, a tremendous bargain from the NFL's remainders bin. At worst, he'll reinforce the notion that Flozell never left.

If the results are somewhere in between, the Cowboys have still helped themselves, if only incrementally so

 

[Bankerguy]

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

Love this trade for both sides, really. Barron was expendable with the drafting of Saffold, as the alternative would be shifting him to guard, where he's abysmal. Getting something for him - not to mention a possible starter - is a move I support wholeheartedly. I was very impressed with what the team managed to get out of Vobora last year, so I'm eager to see if they can pull a similar rabbit out of the hat with Carpenter.At least the Cowboys are better equipped to handle 1st-and-15 situations than the Rams.

Well said. Now if Dallas signs Richie Incognito, they'll face 1st and 30! So lets hear Dallas fans chime in on Carpenter. When he came out I was a fan thinking he would be a later steal(2nd rd type). But havent heard much on him at all. Is it because of Dallas's depth at LB? Or is Carp just not that good?Thanks

Strengths:Good quickness and lateral movement.Good coverage skills and excelled in nickel situations.Very solid special team playNegatives:Terrible against the runFrequently disapears on plays and cant't shed blocksPlays soft and lost the respect of some of his team matesMight have been a locker room cancer and was believed to be a media mole.One of my most unfavorite Cowboys over the last decade. This coming after I prayed that we would draft him.

 

[oukurt]

Latest from Josh Ellis over at DC.com

Barron Reportedly Welcomes Trade

Entering perhaps his last weekend as a member of the St. Louis Rams, tackle Alex Barron is reportedly happy with the proposed trade that would bring him to Dallas in exchange for Bobby Carpenter.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch also reports a current sticking point with the deal is the Rams attempting to negotiate Carpenter's $.19 million playing time incentive.

Barron could sign his $2.621 million tender today, which would expedite a trade that is expected to be completed by Monday. Both players must also pass physicals.

C'mon Jerrah, let's get 'er done.

Carpenter is on Vacation and won't get to St Louis until Monday.

Rumor has it that Jamaal Brown won't be returning to the Saints. Would love for him to land in Dallas. He is interested in a west coast team though.

 

[Tyrion]

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

Love this trade for both sides, really. Barron was expendable with the drafting of Saffold, as the alternative would be shifting him to guard, where he's abysmal. Getting something for him - not to mention a possible starter - is a move I support wholeheartedly. I was very impressed with what the team managed to get out of Vobora last year, so I'm eager to see if they can pull a similar rabbit out of the hat with Carpenter.At least the Cowboys are better equipped to handle 1st-and-15 situations than the Rams.

Well said. Now if Dallas signs Richie Incognito, they'll face 1st and 30! So lets hear Dallas fans chime in on Carpenter. When he came out I was a fan thinking he would be a later steal(2nd rd type). But havent heard much on him at all. Is it because of Dallas's depth at LB? Or is Carp just not that good?Thanks

I wanted him to play well when he was drafted but he didn't seem to fit in at at any of the Linebacker positions in the 3-4 and they tried him at all of them. He settled in to a role as an inside linebacker in the Cowboys' nickel defense last year and performed ok. He seemed to cover well and he was good at stopping scrambling QBs.I was glad we were able to get something for him rather than just releasing him, which seemed most likely after the draft.

 

[road warrior]

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

Love this trade for both sides, really. Barron was expendable with the drafting of Saffold, as the alternative would be shifting him to guard, where he's abysmal. Getting something for him - not to mention a possible starter - is a move I support wholeheartedly. I was very impressed with what the team managed to get out of Vobora last year, so I'm eager to see if they can pull a similar rabbit out of the hat with Carpenter.At least the Cowboys are better equipped to handle 1st-and-15 situations than the Rams.

Well said. Now if Dallas signs Richie Incognito, they'll face 1st and 30! So lets hear Dallas fans chime in on Carpenter. When he came out I was a fan thinking he would be a later steal(2nd rd type). But havent heard much on him at all. Is it because of Dallas's depth at LB? Or is Carp just not that good?Thanks

He never got the 'love' from Cowboy fans (and coaching staff, obviously). Parcells picked him... many say as a favor to his father Rob who played for the Tuna back with the Giants. He was moved inside, then back outside, back inside.. and so on. The one game he stood out (to me) was the playoff game against the Seahawks. He had a sack and a few pressures. Never seemed to gel in the 3-4 as evidenced by bringing in a washed up Zach Thomas and last year, Keith Brooking.Many have said since we first drafted him that he's more suited for a 4-3 defense. So, he quite possibly will work in Stl.

 

[zamboni]

After Carpenter's 53-goal season, he was pretty worthless anyway.

 

[road warrior]

After Carpenter's 53-goal season, he was pretty worthless anyway.

Touche. I remember my ex having a crush on him. Hence the 'ex' part.

 

[a_rackowski]

Good move for the Rams. They really neglected the LB position in the draft. Laurinaitis should be glad to have an OSU wingman. Can they add AJ Hawk - another guy I think is misplaced in the 3-4 ?

 

[JetMaxx]

This deal makes too much sense for both sides. Get it done.

Love this trade for both sides, really. Barron was expendable with the drafting of Saffold, as the alternative would be shifting him to guard, where he's abysmal. Getting something for him - not to mention a possible starter - is a move I support wholeheartedly. I was very impressed with what the team managed to get out of Vobora last year, so I'm eager to see if they can pull a similar rabbit out of the hat with Carpenter.At least the Cowboys are better equipped to handle 1st-and-15 situations than the Rams.

Well said. Now if Dallas signs Richie Incognito, they'll face 1st and 30! So lets hear Dallas fans chime in on Carpenter. When he came out I was a fan thinking he would be a later steal(2nd rd type). But havent heard much on him at all. Is it because of Dallas's depth at LB? Or is Carp just not that good?Thanks

@ the OL calling him "Barbie" Carpenter in Hard Knocks. Considering his soft style of play, I'm sure they were referring to more than just his long blonde hair.