For Carpenter, Position Change Is ‘Like Learning Portuguese’

Tariq Carpenter, a seventh-round pick in 2022, has endured a challenging start to his Green Bay Packers career.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Jun 9, 2023 2:20 PM EDT
Original:
Jun 8, 2023

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Tariq Carpenter’s first 13 1/2 months with the Green Bay Packers has been filled with zigs, zags and “mixed feelings.”

A four-year starting safety at Georgia Tech, Carpenter said most teams before the 2022 NFL Draft projected him as a linebacker. Having put on weight in anticipation of his new position, the Packers drafted him in the seventh round to play safety.

Thinking he would be playing linebacker, Carpenter weighed about 235 pounds when he was drafted. Late in the season, after he dropped about 20 pounds and finally started to feel at home at safety, the Packers experimented with him at outside linebacker.

This year, about a week-and-a-half before the Packers convened for the start of offseason workouts, coach Matt LaFleur called Carpenter.

He’d be moving to inside linebacker.

“It’s definitely new,” he told Packer Central following Tuesday’s OTA practice. “I never played linebacker in my life. It’s like I’m learning freaking Portuguese. It’s a whole new language.

“Some of the stuff I kind of understand, depending on where I’m at on the field. Sometimes, when we play our quarter-flats, it’s like you’re playing strong safety. When I’m in the middle of the field, I get kind of confused. It’s going to come with time.”

At least he sort of anticipated this change. The one last year, when he was asked to work with the outside linebackers in December, came out of left field.

“There was a lot of stuff going on with my weight when I first came in,” Carpenter said. “So, I came in, struggled in OTAs and onto camp. Thank God I was still here and I was able to show them that I can play ball throughout the year.

“For some reason, they decided to move me to OLB when I was back at my normal weight; I was 210, 215 when they moved me to OLB. I’m like, I’m actually making plays at practice at safety and I’m in shape, I’m at the right weight, I’m moving how I want to move, building up that confidence piece and then, bang, they liked the way I rushed so they moved to OLB.”

Not for long, though. That was just a “small trial.” His new role appears to be his new reality. Having gotten late notice from LaFleur, Carpenter is learning the fundamentals, techniques and responsibilities on the fly.

With OTAs complete, Carpenter said he doesn’t feel like a linebacker just yet.

“Still feeling like a fish out of water,” he said. “It’s on me. I’ve got to spend my time in the playbook. It’s a whole new language. Me coming from playing safety, I didn’t need to know what the D-line is doing and what gap I’ve got to fit and get the defensive linemen set and know what the back-end coverage is, as well. So, there’s a lot more to it.

“I’m not going to quit. I’m going to go out there and try to learn from my mistakes and get better.”

Carpenter, who emerged as a big-time weapon on special teams down the stretch last season, has spent most of OTAs with the third defensive unit. He said he was at 219 pounds, which is right where he feels most comfortable. With a great combination of size and athleticism, he’s an intriguing talent no matter where he lines up.

“I’m really not too worried about my weight,” he said. “I’m already an aggressive ballplayer and I’ve got long arms. For me, it’s just the mental part of it and knowing what I’ve got to do.”

From the team’s perspective, the more you can do, the better, especially for a young backup. From a player’s perspective, however, being good at one thing sometimes is the best thing. In barely a calendar year with the Packers, Carpenter is on his third position.

“It’s a lot of mixed feelings,” he admitted. “It’s a good thing that they see that much value in me. That’s the value that I see in myself – a player who can be in the post and then be down on the edge for a blitz and then covering a tight end. That’s how I envision myself as a ballplayer. It’s going to come with time. It’s up to me to learn the playbook and take it from there.”

That means Carpenter won’t give himself much of a summer vacation. Rather than returning home following next week’s mandatory minicamp or decompressing with a fun getaway, Carpenter won’t be straying too far from Lambeau Field.

He’s got a position to learn, a roster to make and a role to earn.

“I’m staying here,” he said. “I’ve got to get right and get in the playbook and stay around the facility and talk to the coaches and stay in shape.”