Bobby Carpenter, the newest member of the Detroit Lions, would have joined the team back in 2008 if it were up to the Cowboys, the team that drafted him in 2006. Around this time two years ago, the Lions and Cowboys made a trade involving wide receiver Roy Williams and a few draft picks. Had the Lions not said no, however, Carpenter would have been involved in the trade as well. From Tom Kowalski:
First, when Lions general manager Martin Mayhew dealt receiver Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys two years ago, the Cowboys wanted to make Carpenter part of that deal and the Lions refused. Mayhew was adamant that he wanted draft picks instead and that's how it ended up.
The Lions ended up receiving a first-, third- and sixth-round pick in the 2009 draft for giving up Williams and a seventh-rounder in 2010. Detroit turned those picks into Brandon Pettigrew, Derrick Williams and Aaron Brown, who are all still on the roster. Now that Carpenter has bounced around the league a bit and ended up in Detroit anyway, I'd say it was a good move asking for picks rather than Carpenter back in 2008.
Free agent linebacker Bobby Carpenter, who worked out with the Lions earlier today, has signed with the team. With many linebackers banged up, the addition of a free agent doesn't come as a big surprise. It's also not a surprise that Carpenter ended up being that free agent, as it is expected that he will contribute on special teams as well as at LB.
From earlier, here is a quick bio of Carpenter's NFL career so far:
Carpenter was just released by the Dolphins earlier this week. He joined Miami in early September after being let go by the Rams during the final round of roster cuts. He ended up in St. Louis after the Cowboys traded him. Dallas originally drafted him with the 18th overall pick in 2006.
In five games this season with Miami, Carpenter had 10 total tackles. A year ago with Dallas, he had 46 total tackles in 16 games.
Carpenter was just released by the Dolphins earlier this week. He joined Miami in early September after being let go by the Rams during the final round of roster cuts. He ended up in St. Louis after the Cowboys traded him. Dallas originally drafted him with the 18th overall pick in 2006.
Depth at linebacker is a bit thin for Detroit because of injuries and the team has two open spots on the roster, so it's possible Carpenter could be signed to a deal if the workout went well.
