Bobby Carpenter (American football)

Early years

Carpenter attended Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Ohio. In addition to being a football standout, he was also a member of the swim team. During his senior year, he was selected as All-Ohio first team (football), and also went to the District Finals in swimming.

College career

In 50 games at The Ohio State University, Carpenter started 26 times. He registered 191 tackles (121 solos) with 14.5 sacks and 23.5 for losses. He forced two fumbles, deflected seven passes and had three interceptions.

In 2002, he played in every game as a true freshman,. The next year, he started three contests at strong-side outside linebacker, totaling 37 tackles (24 solos) with 4.5 sacks, 6.5 stops for losses and a pair of forced fumbles.

Carpenter was a full-time starter in 2004, lining up at strong-side linebacker. He finished second on the team with 93 tackles (46 solos) and registered two sacks with 6.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Carpenter also deflected three passes and intercepted three others. As a senior in 2005, he started first eleven games of the 2005 season, finishing fifth on the squad with 49 tackles and second on the team with eight sacks and 10.5 stops for losses, earning second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. In the final game, he fractured his right fibula and was unable to play in the Fiesta Bowl.

Dallas Cowboys

Carpenter was the Dallas Cowboys' first round selection (18th overall) in the 2006 NFL draft. It was later reported that head coach Bill Parcells influenced the organization into drafting him, based on his previous experience coaching Carpenter's father, Rob. His best game with the Cowboys came in a 2006 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where he started at outside linebacker and recorded five tackles and three deflected passes.

In 2009, after playing mostly on special teams he took over the team's nickel linebacker role. Over his four-year stint with the Cowboys he failed to establish a starting role, registering 96 tackles and 29 special teams tackles. In the fourth episode of the 2008 Hard Knocks series, Carpenter was continuously beaten in a pads and shorts practice by right tackle Marc Colombo. During that practice Colombo referred to him as "Barbie Carpenter", while also making fun of his shoulder length blonde hair.

St. Louis Rams

Carpenter was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Alex Barron on May 10, 2010. He was cut on September 4.

Miami Dolphins

On September 6, 2010, the Miami Dolphins signed Bobby Carpenter as a free agent reuniting him with Bill Parcells who drafted him with the Dallas Cowboys. He was waived on October 18, because of a mistake on his special teams blocking assignment against the Green Bay Packers, that came on the heels of two previous blocking assignment errors against the New England Patriots.

Detroit Lions

Carpenter was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Lions on October 20, 2010.

On October 2, 2011 he had six tackles, a pass deflected and made the play of the game, returning an interception for a touchdown, which sparked a second half come-from-behind victory against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys. The 24-point collapse was the largest blown lead in team history and eventually cost them a chance to qualify for the post-season.

New England Patriots

On April 5, 2012, Carpenter was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots. On October 2, the Patriots resigned Carpenter on account of the injury of Dont'a Hightower. He was released after playing in four games on October 30, mostly on special teams and registering two special teams tackles.

Personal life

Carpenter is the son of former Houston Oilers, New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams running back Rob Carpenter. Bobby and his father both played for Bill Parcells. Bobby has three younger brothers: Jonathan, Georgie & Nathan.

Bobby is currently an afternoon radio host (Carpenter & Rothman) on 97.1 The Fan WBNS-FM in Columbus, Ohio.