Bobby Carpenter for Alex Barron

[Bing69]

Cowboys will trade LB Carpenter to Rams for OT Barron on Monday

NFL.com

A trade that would send Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Alex Barron will be finalized Monday, NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi reported.
Barron, a five-year veteran, likely will compete for the Cowboys' left tackle spot, recently vacated when the team released veteran Flozell Adams. Barron will compete with Doug Free, who started seven games at right tackle for Dallas last season.
Carpenter, a four-year veteran, has started just three games for the Cowboys during his tenure. He originally was a first-round pick (18th overall) by Dallas in 2006.



Good deal in my opinion. Carpenter was a 1st round talent, we need more talent at linebacker. If he can play to his potential, him, J-Lau and Diggs can be more than solid. As for Barron, i always liked the guy, but he just cant concentrate, his false starts killed us. I wish him well though.

What do you guys think?

[tomahawk247]

I think Saffold at RT and Carpenter at WLB is better than Barron at RT and Vobora at WLB

[Goldenfleece]

What is it with the Rams and Ohio State linebackers? Laurinaitis, Grant...and now Carpenter?

Anyway, it seems like a swap of the borderline busts. Barron has been unable to shake his reputation for penalties, while Carpenter has been unable to eschew his reputation for shying away from contact. Judging from the Dallas blogs, Carpenter might be a better fit in a 4-3. It's good that we were able to get something for Barron.

[chiguy]

The bottom line here is that Barron's inconsistent motivation and performance isn't what the coaches want on a roster full of young players. If you're going to stink anyway because you're young and need a talent infusion, why put up with that and risk others being pulled in by bad habits? AB is a talented football player, but I think its clear that he's not motivated enough to play for a bad team and to dominate. He may succeed in Dallas because they're a good team, but this is a staff decision to focus on "attitude" if you ask me.

[Fortuninerhater]

A LB who has a rep for shying away from contact is not exactly what we should be looking for.

Although Alex is not great, he is most certainly worth more than a back-up linebacker with a propensity to shy away from contact, even if it's just by virtue of the position he plays.

I would've much preferred a 3rd or 4th rounder next year instead of hoping Carpenter turns into Junior Seau all of a sudden, but that's just me.

Maybe Spags and co. know something about Carpenter that we don't know. We'll see.

[chiguy]

I would've much preferred a 3rd or 4th rounder next year instead of hoping Carpenter turns into Junior Seau all of a sudden, but that's just me.

So would have the Rams, but no one was willing to offer that. That ought to say something to Rams fans about how Alex is valued around the league. Plus, he was certainly not going to resign with us once he was an UFA. This way at least we get a guy who had potential and can be coached up. Remember, Bill Parcells drafted this guy...he knew a thing or two about linebackers.