Dallas Cowboys should free the beast in Tank Carradine
With pass rushers needed and little cash to offer, the Dallas Cowboys should unleash the chained beast in Tank Carradine.
November 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes the football against San Francisco 49ers defensive end Tank Carradine (95) during the fourth quarter at Levi
Desperate for pass rush and strapped for salary cap cash, the Dallas Cowboys could find a gem in a former college star desperate for salvation.
Last May I wrote an article on Tank Carradine as an ideal trade target to boost the Cowboys still lacking pass rush.
Both free agency and the draft had passed without an impressive addition to fill the defense’s deepest hole at edge rusher.
I began to rack my brain for trade options and remembered Carradine’s ideal fit as a 4-3 end rusher back in the 2013 draft.
His name had disappeared ever since and a little research unmasked the culprit.
Solid drafting is accomplished through adding talented players who fit the team’s system. San Francisco’s misuse of Carradine’s talent is shameful.
Regardless of how hard Dallas tries to improve pass rush in the draft, signing Carradine at low cost to join the rotation is a risk/reward winner.
Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) gets sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
FORCING A SQUARE PEG INTO A ROUND HOLE
In only two seasons at Florida State, Carradine (6’5, 265) posted 118 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks.
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He was a consistent force unlike others who pad their total with a handful of multiple sack games. Tank registered in the sack column in 10 of his final 14 games.
Entering the 2013 draft he was graded as a first round talent. However tearing his ACL five months prior dropped him to San Francisco’s 40th overall pick.
Carradine missed most of his rookie season rehabbing the knee. He spent the next two seasons playing out of position.
The 49ers defensive coordinator told one of the draft’s most explosive pass rushers to hold 30+ extra pounds and play 3-4 DE.
Naturally the weight and lining up inside the tackle subdued his trademark edge-winning explosiveness. One start and four sacks in 23 games says it all.
Realizing the poor fit, in the 2016 off-season he asked permission to shed weight and try standing up as a 3-4 OLB, still not his natural down position.
“I went to them and told them, I just wanted to do something I know I’d be comfortable doing; losing weight, getting down playing on the outside, setting edge, rushing the passer…With the weight thing, that was something real big, I felt like I didn’t move the same, I just wasn’t comfortable being that heavy. So I asked about getting down on my weight. ” — NinersNation, December 19, 2015
After hearing of his misuse, recent weight loss, and desire to get back on the edge, the trade to Dallas before the 2016 season made perfect sense.
San Francisco was already solid at OLB, and Tank’s edge capturing burst is better suited for playing on the line with his hand down.
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Tank Carradine (95) against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Buffalo beats San Francisco 45 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
DOOMED EFFORT LEADS TO OPPORTUNITY
Just when it seemed San Francisco was destined to cut bait, Carradine had an impressive 2016 preseason causing the team to reconsider.
The 49ers then upped their bet and extended a contract for 2 years/$2.65 mil.
Just as expected the 2016 experiment at 3-4 OLB failed. His 13 tackles and no sacks didn’t come close to justifying a $2.2 mil cap hit.
So here we are again. The highly talented, natural 4-3 pass rushing end is likely headed for release from the 3-4 defense he never should’ve been in.
Even 49ers based publication Ninerswire labeled him a poor scheme fit in the middle of the 2016 season.
Carradine has never been a good scheme fit despite showing flashes of being able to get after the passer. If the 49ers aren’t playing him now, it’s hard to envision a long term future for Carradine in red and gold. — Ninerswire, October 25, 2016.
By releasing Carradine before April 1st, the 49ers will save $1.35 mil in cap space.
If he’s still on the roster in April, $1 mil of his 2017 salary becomes guaranteed. Which means they must decide well before the draft.
It’s doubtful the 49ers will invest $1.98 mil in 2017 cap space on an unproductive mismatch for their 3-4 defense.
His cost far exceeds production…1 start, 57 tackles, and 4 sacks over three seasons.
Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller (13) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Tank Carradine (95) and cornerback Keith Reaser (27) in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Texans defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
GET BACK TO WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED
After San Francisco’s dual position failure with Carradine in their 3-4, it stands to reason they’re ready to cut costs and move on.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The Cowboys defense would benefit greatly from a bargain signing of this natural fit 4-3 pass rusher.
Tank is a hard worker with good character. He’d be grateful for the opportunity to finally prove his ability without a hand tied behind his back.
He’s still relatively young (28), has a higher upside than Benson Mayowa, and would surely come cheaper (under $1.5 mil per season).
Soon the 49ers will permanently admit their failed draft projection and allow Tank to seek 4-3 refuge where he’s always belonged.
Dallas would be foolish not to extend a low offer for Tank’s level of buried rush talent.