What do you guys think of this idea?

[jbell15]

Leonard Little seems to be at the end of the road as a ram. He was productive last year, when healthy, but seems to be only a situational pass rusher going forward. We obviously need to find his eventual replacement, but could that replacement come from our line right now? Adam Carriker has been playing out of position, and at 6'6, he could be an imposing force at DE. If Victor Adeyanju does not take his game to the next level, what do you guys think of moving Carriker back to his natural DE position next year, with Little either retiring or being a third down pass rusher?

[unorthodox1999]

Put me down for a Bad idea, Wont happen..

[AvengerRam]

In a 4-3, DE is not Carriker's "natural position." In a 3-4, yes. In a 4-3, his "natural position" is UT. That's where he is, and that's where he'll stay.

[txramsfan]

Why not? He played DE in college, and he is just average where he is now. Couldn't hurt.

[laram0]

Why not? He played DE in college, and he is just average where he is now. Couldn't hurt.

Didn't he have banged up shoulders last season or something like that? That would certainly pose a problem especially at the position he has been playing.
That could also explain his average play. Plus if we could fill the other tackle position with some real beef I'm sure that would help Carriker greatly.

I say leave him where he is and build around him.

[Goldenfleece]

Don't like it. It's quite possible he'd be a better run stopper than Little ever was, but I'm not convinced Carriker has the speed to get consistent pressure off the edge. Plus we don't have the depth at defensive tackle to allow such a move.

[39thebeast]

He has never had 1 healthy full year at UT he will get a chance to do that this year. I am coming out and guaranteeing 4+ sacks at UT

[TekeRam]

Why not? He played DE in college, and he is just average where he is now. Couldn't hurt.

He also played a 2 gapping 3-4 DE in college. When we go to a 3-4 I'll be the first to jump on the Carriker at DE argument. Until then, I challenge anyone and everyone to find actual analysis that says Carriker projected to an NFL 4-3 Defensive End.

[HUbison]

Why not? He played DE in college, and he is just average where he is now. Couldn't hurt.

Average? lol......you crack me up, tx.

Now, seriously, to the question at hand. At 315, I doubt Carriker has the burst off the edge. He has been at the head of his class among 2nd year DTs.........why move him, just to create a one-dimensional end?

[txramsfan]

But can't he lose the weight? Didn't the Rams ask him to beef up to play inside?

[txramsfan]

He also played a 2 gapping 3-4 DE in college. When we go to a 3-4 I'll be the first to jump on the Carriker at DE argument. Until then, I challenge anyone and everyone to find actual analysis that says Carriker projected to an NFL 4-3 Defensive End.

What's up Teke? You know, I really hate projections like that. So what....let him play his position where he lined up in college and was successful.....outside.

[ecuram18]

He was successful DE if you really know the difference between a 3-4 and a 4-3. A DE in a 3-4 plays the inside role most of the time. Hardly ever try to run around the line like a 4-3 DE. So UT is actually the best position for him in the 4-3.

[RamsFan16]

Not a big fan of it.

Reason: We already have enough holes on our team, moving our starting UT out to DE would create another whole (At UT). Carriker COULD be effective out there, but the risk is to high for now. Maybe next off season, of farther into this one it will become a good idea if we acquire more DTs and a good UT to fill in. But right now, Bad Idea and it Won't Happen...right now.

Next off-season, perhaps there's a better chance, but for now, we're trying to fill holes within' the team, not create them.

[C-Mob 71]

I said I don't like it and it wont happen. Sure he would be a force at stopping the run, but he really wouldn't be a pass rushing threat. Even though Carriker isn't undersized, Spags used the undersized Tuck at D tackle in some situations, so I'm sure he can handle big ol Adam playing DT, whether he was a DE in college or not.

However I suppose if someday we have enough depth at DT and DE, we could move Carriker to the outside on running downs and have two bigger boys in the middle, then move him inside on passing downs with a speedy dude at DE. That of course would depend on if Carriker was versatile enough, he would kind of be our "Tuck" swingman. That is a long time in the future though, seeing how thin we are at DT and DE. So right now I'm saying keep Adam in the inside, but look for big boys to rotate in with him.