Alex Carrington To Get His Mojo?

by J2 on Feb 16, 2012 9:22 AM EST

After the announcement of the Bills switch to the 43 one player immediately stuck out in my mind. Although the prospect of Dareus and Williams in the middle is awesome I have been wondering if this switch to the 43 will benefit Carrington more than any other player on the roster.

I will preface this by saying that I am unsure how he will adjust, so i'm looking for some good thoughts on this because i'm not sure if my assessment is correct or not. However, here's what I've been thinking...

When I was thinking about Carrington in that strong side DE role I think he's got some strong attributes that could make him a good starter on this team. He's definitely already a good backup option but I think he could, and hopefully will, push Kelsay for the starting role.

1) He's strong at the point of attack. Considering he was drafted to be a 34 DE and take on 2 blockers holding the edge should be a strong suit for him. He'll hold contain and that will help us in the run game so he won't be a liability in that department.

2) He's very athletic for a man of his size (6'5 305 as of now). I would anticipate him dropping some weight (down to 285 again?) and getting more athletic in the process. He's not in the Robert Mathis mold but he's no slouch either. I think he could get after the QB very well as a strong side DE because he likes to push linemen back, which helps keep contain. But he's also got the athletic ability to get around linemen with different moves to get after the QB.

3) He seems to be a good worker, he's done what the Bills have asked in the past and he has not complained. He added weight and even tried to play OLB in the 34. So while he's willing to do different things he's also willing to work at his craft.

4) This is his 3rd season in the NFL. Unfortunately it's his 2nd scheme but he's antiquated with how the NFL works and what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Namely hard work and doing what the coaches ask of him. Being a former 3rd round pick means that right around now is when he really should start coming into his own as an NFL player.

While i'm optimistic that Carrington will flourish as our 43 DE I am uncertain. What do you guys think? Will he make the transition? Is he suited for that role? Will he push for a starting job?

Poll

Will Carrington push Kelsay for a starting role this year?

Yes

232 votes

No

55 votes

287 votes | Poll has closed

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

I voted No

Because I don’t think it will happen.

I hope it does however. I like Kelsay, but if Carrington could show upgraded results, it only benefits the Bills.

"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34

by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 16, 2012 9:38 AM EST reply actions

Carrington is kind of the “forgotten Bill” when this switch back to the 4-3 became true. I like this guys size, strength and attitude… hopefully he continues to grow as a player and is a guy that is counted on this season.

Lets Go Buff a lo!

by bflo on Feb 16, 2012 9:43 AM EST reply actions

i dont think theres any doubt that he pushes kelsay for the starting job. i dont think hell be successful, but carrington will see the field a fair amount either bookending or spelling kelsay

Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.

by boomsauce on Feb 16, 2012 9:43 AM EST reply actions

I have some hope for him just from what I’ve seem him do on special teams. Have you ever watched the defensive field goal/PAT unit closely? Carrington shows off some monster athletic chops when trying to block those kicks. I know he got at least one this year and came really close to a few more.

He may not have had the right skills for OLB, but his short area burst and push look pretty good for a 4-3 DE to me.

Give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that can be changed, and the wisdom to know one from the other.

by k8 on Feb 16, 2012 10:38 AM EST reply actions

Much of the rhetoric surrounding Carrington deals with him as a defensive end; I see him as more of a three-technique defensive tackle, perhaps as a replacement for Spencer Johnson.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 16, 2012 10:41 AM EST reply actions

I think that rhetoric mainly comes from me and I think that because of his athleticism.

I’d replace Spencer for Edwards wouldn’t you?

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! LET'S DO IT! - Venkman

by J2 on Feb 16, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

Are you asking me if I’d replace Spencer Johnson with Dwan Edwards?

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 16, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

yes – as a DT in our 43

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! LET'S DO IT! - Venkman

by J2 on Feb 16, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

Carrington

I think 285 lbs. Is the max weight he should be for a 4-3 RE. You need speed, not athleticism, to get to the edge on a lot of plays. Can he just drop that weight? Tip in at 275?
You said listen to the coaches above and I wonder…… Why did they have him in at 305lbs. And then play him at LB. and on the outside?
Part of me thinks that his best position on our defense would be to have him gain 5lbs. And move him to tackle….but we have numbers there…
Man, you look at the guy and he is so big and solid. I mean, he really is a big guy. He clearly is athletic as well, I am not sure about his speed or burst ( either way). I’ll be real disappointed if wanny can’t utilize all that talent. If he does not make it as a Bill, he would be a prime suspect for our long list of successful Bills on other teams…

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Feb 16, 2012 12:13 PM EST reply actions

Carrinton con't.....

I just wanted to add that I think about the guy a lot too. When you look over the Bills D for useful pieces, you stop at him….
And start thinking of how great it would be if our coaches got him going…… If he actualized his talent he would be scary…. I think his best position would be 3-4 RE at 300 lbs. On the Steelers D…..
Tie up blockers, hold his ground and get a few tackles for loss and a few sacks as well…..ala Aaron smith (I think I got his name right, he recently retired I think)
Whenever he got hurt, the D mysteriously slipped.

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Feb 16, 2012 12:25 PM EST reply actions

I just wanted to add that I think about the guy a lot too.

awwww – that’s so cute

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! LET'S DO IT! - Venkman

by J2 on Feb 16, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Noooooo....

Not cute, Bills fanatic!

To a bills’ fan, to see such a huge muscular guy…..gotta find a way to use him and successfully

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Feb 16, 2012 12:41 PM EST reply actions

it's ok to have a man crush on your favorite bill

haha

by paythemannow on Feb 17, 2012 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

underrated, underused

just like many on the roster. Wouldn’t surprise me if we cut him, but we SHOULD be thinking about cutting Edwards or Johnson, if only for the sake of Carrington’s development.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 16, 2012 4:08 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I like him at DE

Just to get him on the field with Williams and Dareus at the same time. If both stay healthy the interior of the opposing OL will have their hands full. That puts more pressure on the tackles/TE’s. He has had his moments the past two years and can see him taking advantage of the DT’s getting a lot of the attention. He’s the only player I was concerned about with the switch to the 4-3 really hope he still has a role that gets him on the field a lot.

Harooo

by Robot Nixon on Feb 16, 2012 7:00 PM EST reply actions

Here is the MTD scouting report on him

It says he could play 4-3 DE @ 6"3 285lbs out of college. I think he can drop the weight and has the natural quickness and strength for a guy his size to hold the edge. If you add two Pro bowl caliber DT’s and you now have accounted for all five lineman….lol. Plus Think about how he could also slide into the DT role, to give Dareus/MB a break, replaced by Kelsey then slide back to DE.

I think he has his best year ever this year.

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/3/25/1390792/alex-carrington-nfl-draft-scouting

by NHBillzFan on Feb 16, 2012 7:30 PM EST reply actions

Wow. Never thought that we may have a secret weapon in him J2.
Nobody thought that about T-Rex Kyle either. And look how that turned out.

Nice post.
Rec’d.

"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 16, 2012 8:57 PM EST reply actions

Truth Time

It is simple math right now Alex is in his 3rd year. Either he steps up and fills in the old Phil Hansen role, which would bump Kelsey to back-up, or he is a wasted pick and should be cut.

by dave2324 on Feb 17, 2012 12:36 PM EST reply actions