IRVING – Entering his third season with the Dallas Cowboys, Bruce Carter was expected to make the jump from starting inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme to a standout weakside linebacker in a 4-3. Instead, Carter has found himself simply trying to play more than 50 percent of the team’s snaps.
Following a poor performance against San Diego in Week 4, when he allowed Chargers running back Danny Woodhead to catch a pair of touchdowns, the 2011 second-round pick has been fighting to impress the Cowboys coaching staff.
“I think it all started in the San Diego game,” Carter said. “It’s just getting the trust back with the coaches, going out there and knowing that I can execute the game plan and just go out there and make plays, really. Production, that’s what’s key. That’s where we are now.”
Carter played only 44 percent of the defensive snaps on Sunday against Minnesota and 56 percent in Detroit. He finished with six tackles against the Vikings and three against the Lions.
“I’m a guy that kind of over-analyzes things too much,” Carter said. “When I do that, it kind of slows me down. I don’t think it’s a matter of me not running to the ball or loafing. I’m just thinking too much, over-thinking things instead of letting my instincts [take over], just going out there and playing. But I think that’s out of there.
“I’m more relaxed. The scheme is more comfortable now. I’m going out there and playing.”
While Carter says he’s not questioning himself, there appears to be some disconnect between him and the coaching staff. Apparently the reason the staff gave him for reducing his playing time didn’t make much sense to the 25-year-old.
“To be honest, I really don’t even know,” Carter said. “It really wasn’t legit. It is what it is.”
Well, doesn’t it make things difficult when you don’t know what you’re doing wrong?
“Yeah, it is very frustrating,” Carter said. “I just take it one day at a time.”
Carter played in 11 games last season before dislocating his left elbow. He finished third on the team with 70 tackles. Through nine games this season, Carter has 48 tackles and the only two sacks of his career.
Following a poor performance against San Diego in Week 4, when he allowed Chargers running back Danny Woodhead to catch a pair of touchdowns, the 2011 second-round pick has been fighting to impress the Cowboys coaching staff.
“I think it all started in the San Diego game,” Carter said. “It’s just getting the trust back with the coaches, going out there and knowing that I can execute the game plan and just go out there and make plays, really. Production, that’s what’s key. That’s where we are now.”
Carter played only 44 percent of the defensive snaps on Sunday against Minnesota and 56 percent in Detroit. He finished with six tackles against the Vikings and three against the Lions.
“I’m a guy that kind of over-analyzes things too much,” Carter said. “When I do that, it kind of slows me down. I don’t think it’s a matter of me not running to the ball or loafing. I’m just thinking too much, over-thinking things instead of letting my instincts [take over], just going out there and playing. But I think that’s out of there.
“I’m more relaxed. The scheme is more comfortable now. I’m going out there and playing.”
While Carter says he’s not questioning himself, there appears to be some disconnect between him and the coaching staff. Apparently the reason the staff gave him for reducing his playing time didn’t make much sense to the 25-year-old.
“To be honest, I really don’t even know,” Carter said. “It really wasn’t legit. It is what it is.”
Well, doesn’t it make things difficult when you don’t know what you’re doing wrong?
“Yeah, it is very frustrating,” Carter said. “I just take it one day at a time.”
Carter played in 11 games last season before dislocating his left elbow. He finished third on the team with 70 tackles. Through nine games this season, Carter has 48 tackles and the only two sacks of his career.
