Arkansas Bengal Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 With hand in the ground, Chris Carter gives Bengals a new rush dynamic A Bengals pass rush in need of a boost has gotten one from free-agent pickup Chris Carter this preseason. Gary Landers/AP Coley Harvey, ESPN Staff Writer CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals' Chris Carter looks nothing like the prototypical NFL edge-rusher. At 6-foot-1 and roughly 240 pounds, he's shorter and leaner than the bulkier defensive ends who typically call the position home. But through three games this preseason, the outside linebacker has looked a lot like an end, playing a hybrid role that has him regularly putting his hand in the ground. While doing that, he has made a habit of stunning offensive tackles and tight ends with his mix of speed and power. He has given the Bengals a new dynamic in a pass rush that was in need of some positive change. Last season, the Bengals had a league-low 20 sacks. "With me having the disadvantage of size, I've got to be the fire-starter," Carter said. "That's just my mentality when I go into a pass rush. I'm just trying to come off fast and if you try and hit me, I'm going to try and hit you first." That mentality has led to Carter's team-leading 2.5 preseason sacks, and a measure of comfort he hasn't had since he starred in Fresno State's pass rush in 2010. When the Bengals visit Indianapolis for Thursday night's preseason finale, keep an eye on the backup linebacker who likely will be on the field for nearly the entire contest. Back in the spring during organized team activities, the Bengals began experimenting with using Carter as a hand-in-the-ground rusher while end Margus Hunt, among others, healed from injuries. "He started to have success right there and showing flashes right there," linebackers coach Matt Burke said. "So then we're like, well hey, maybe we can keep working with him like that in that capacity. And he was comfortable doing that. That just built his confidence up when we said we're going to keep you working here and trying to get you some looks." The Bengals were doing something no other team had done for Carter in his four seasons in the league. They were trying to create a role specifically for him -- no one else. It's actually the same role Cincinnati has tried to incorporate into its base 4-3 defense in recent years. But despite their best attempts, they haven't gotten the consistency from that position that they have wanted. So why does Carter believe he could finally be what the Bengals have been looking for? "Personally, it's because I've got supreme confidence in myself, regardless of who believes in me or doesn't believe in me," the reserve linebacker said. "But it also helps that the coaching staff is behind me and the team is behind me. Every day they motivate me verbally and coaching-wise, giving me different keys and different tips on how to get better, and I'm really taking heed to those." Before arriving in the Queen City as a free agent last year, Carter had spent his entire NFL career playing as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 schemes at Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. He never felt the 3-4 suited him like the 4-3 system that allowed him to have 11 sacks in 13 games his senior year at Fresno State. "This is the defense I'm used to," Carter said of the Bengals' base 4-3. "So I almost feel like I'm back at home again." Head coach Marvin Lewis calls Carter a linebacker, but he can tell where the occasional snaps Carter has had with his hand in the ground has kept keep the player's mind at ease and his play fiery. "He's trying to really earn an opportunity to stay and carve out his own niche," Lewis said. "He's done a good job." http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/18712/bengals-chris-carter-linebacker-hand-ground-rush-dynamic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigfox09 Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 He's been one of the guys this preseason that I really hope makes the active roster. Smaller DE's have made an impact as edge rushers. If I recall Robert Mathis is only around 240. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdWarrior Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 I'm a believer in wearing down the O-tackle with a big guy, then throwing a speedster at him. Robert Geathers (not exactly a speed freak) had his best year ever when Bryan Robinson used to wear the OT out. I think Margus is big and strong enough to wear down the OT. Ditto for Hardison and Clarke. Carlos Dunlap shouldn't ever leave the field unless exhausted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 What's been his role on special teams this preseason? It's nice to talk about a specific role but it's hard to get active on game day being a 1 trick pony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRAPradio Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 I'm a believer in wearing down the O-tackle with a big guy, then throwing a speedster at him. Robert Geathers (not exactly a speed freak) had his best year ever when Bryan Robinson used to wear the OT out. I think Margus is big and strong enough to wear down the OT. Ditto for Hardison and Clarke. Carlos Dunlap shouldn't ever leave the field unless exhausted.I imagine with Dunlap and Carter on the edges and Geno in the middle you either have to chip both ends and double Geno or someone will be 1 on 1 and that works in our favor. By making them use a TE or RB to chip that gives the D-line an extra second to get to the QB and the backs and TEs have less time to get depth in their routes. Our 3rd and 6+ D should be very good this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalFanInTO Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 The Bengals success on defense over the past four or five years is having the depth to rotate players in to the front seven, particularly on the defensive line. Hunt, Gilberry, Atkins, Dunlap, Carter, Hardison, Peko, Thomspon, Clarke, Johnson would could prove to be a solid rotation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SF2| Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 The Bengals success on defense over the past four or five years is having the depth to rotate players in to the front seven, particularly on the defensive line. Hunt, Gilberry, Atkins, Dunlap, Carter, Hardison, Peko, Thomspon, Clarke, Johnson would could prove to be a solid rotation. I agree but I think Hunt is the odd man out here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdWarrior Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 I agree about Hunt. With 4.6 speed, however, we should trade him to somebody who runs a 3-4 base and let them use him like SF used Ahmad Brooks after we dumped him for similar reasons. Hell, SF could use him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SF2| Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 I agree about Hunt. With 4.6 speed, however, we should trade him to somebody who runs a 3-4 base and let them use him like SF used Ahmad Brooks after we dumped him for similar reasons. Hell, SF could use him!I thought we dumped Brooks because he was an off the field trainwreck waiting to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 What's been his role on special teams this preseason? It's nice to talk about a specific role but it's hard to get active on game day being a 1 trick pony.Carter was on the kick and punt return squads in the 1st half, maybe longer. I'm not sure how significant it is to run with the first group during a preseason game, but there it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 I agree but I think Hunt is the odd man out here.I noticed they rotated him through all the DL spots. He was credited with a tackle at some point but I don't remember the circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COB Posted September 3, 2015 Report Share Posted September 3, 2015 I thought we dumped Brooks because he was an off the field trainwreck waiting to happen.You are correct. And it was the right move, as Brooks is currently charged with sexual battery and the Niners have him under some kind of suspension while they wait for the case to be resolved. http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/14610/after-indictment-will-ahmad-brooks-be-released Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostInDaJungle Posted September 3, 2015 Report Share Posted September 3, 2015 Margus Hunt is going to be a victim of the numbers game.He hasn't been effective on the field when facing the second and third stringers. Since he hasn't learned DE, they can't move him around like they prefer.The question is going to come down to keeping an extra DE that can't play DT, or keeping an extra DT that can play DE. Or a linebacker than can put his hand down. IMHO, Marvin and Zim value versatility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SF2| Posted September 3, 2015 Report Share Posted September 3, 2015 Margus Hunt is going to be a victim of the numbers game.He hasn't been effective on the field when facing the second and third stringers. Since he hasn't learned DE, they can't move him around like they prefer.The question is going to come down to keeping an extra DE that can't play DT, or keeping an extra DT that can play DE. Or a linebacker than can put his hand down. IMHO, Marvin and Zim value versatility.Yep. I think Marvin learned from the Mays experiment. If the guy isn't there after a couple of years,...cut bait regardless of the athleticism. The worse thing for a coach on any team is an athletic kid who is too stupid or arrogant to be coached. "But my Johnny is so much faster than everyone else." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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