New York Jets Host Linebacker Bruce Carter For Visit

The New York Jets hosted Bruce Carter for a visit this week as they look to shore up their linebacker spot with a veteran.

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The New York Jets are short on cap space, but still have some holes to fill on their roster. One of those holes is at the linebacker position. They started to fill the gaps when they re-signed Erin Henderson last week to an affordable two-year, $3.1 million contract. They are still looking to add to the position though, as they hosted Bruce Carter for a visit earlier in the week.

Carter was signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season to a lucrative four-year, $17 million contract. He didn’t even make it through one season with the Buccaneers, as he was released this offseason. Carter lost his starting spot in the middle during training camp and was moved outside. It was not much later that Carter would lose his starting spot on the outside as well and be relegated to the bench.

While Carter may not have lived up to expectations with the Buccaneers, he is a perfect target for the Jets. For as cash strapped as they are, they cannot leave any stone un-turned on the free agent market. Carter should come at a cheap price after flaming out with the Buccaneers, as he looks for a fresh start to get back on track.

Carter began his career with the Dallas Cowboys, as he was their second round pick in 2011 out of North Carolina. He was a three-year starter with the Cowboys, which helped him land the contract with the Buccaneers last season. It proved to be a bust, as Carter lacks much pass rushing ability; he has only five career sacks to his credit in 63 games played.

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But, Carter has shown an ability to play pass coverage. He is an adequate pass defender, and also a play-maker in the passing game; he has five interceptions in his career, all of which came during the 2014 season.

Carter is someone the Jets should seriously consider at linebacker, as they have a huge need at the position in the middle. Last season there was four different players that got time on the inside; David Harris, Demario Davis, Jamari Lattimore and Henderson. Only two of those players are back thus far this season, as Harris will continue as the starter and Henderson was re-signed; Davis meanwhile signed with the Cleveland Browns and Lattimore is a free agent.

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Bringing in Carter could help replace the production left with the departure of Davis and Lattimore not being retained.

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