With Rod Marinelli now the defensive coordinator, the Cowboys have invoked the “travel rules” within their scheme. That means Carter will line up behind three-technique defensive tackle Henry Melton on every play, even on the strong side of the field.
With Melton protecting Carter on every play, the linebacker should be free to get to the football quickly.
Marinelli has always used the “travel rules” within the Tampa 2 scheme, and it’s paid off in his previous stops.
In Tampa Bay, three-technique tackle Warren Sapp protected weakside linebacker Derrick Brooks. They’re both in the Hall of Fame. When Marinelli was in Chicago, Melton protected linebacker Lance Briggs. In 2012, Melton went to the Pro Bowl, and Briggs had 103 tackles and 11 pass breakups.
“That’s a good adjustment, obviously, from just positioning and a simplicity factor,” Cowboys linebackers coach Matt Eberflus said. “A lot of those things — the keys, the reads, the drops — will all be a little bit cleaner for him.”
Carter said the change should help clear his mind and allow him to just read and react.
“It just allows you to just run and make plays basically,” Carter said. “You’re always covered up a little bit, so your speed and your instincts kick in to just get where you need to be.”
