Packers news: A lot has been made about Tariq Carpenter’s massive offseason transformation. This is after the Green Bay Packers announced that the 24-year-old would be changing positions this summer. Green Bay drafted Carpenter in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but entering his sophomore campaign, the former Georgia Tech standout is now going to be taking a totally unfamiliar role of being the squad’s newest linebacker.
Packers News: Tariq Carpenter Plays Down Huge Performance as LB
Carpenter had a huge performance on Saturday during the team’s Family Night practice. In fact, even the Ludowici, GA native believes that this was his “best” outing as a linebacker since he made the big switch. Nevertheless, Carpenter was quick to play down his heroics, which was highlighted by two interceptions on the evening.
“If my eyes are where they’re supposed to be, I make a lot more plays,” Carpenter said of his first interception, via Bill Huber of Packer Central.
While his first interception was an exhibition of Carpenter transitioning well into his new role, luck played a more significant role in his second one as he caught a ball that was jarred loose from Dontayvion Wicks’ hands:
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” he said.
Carpenter knows that he still has a lot of work to do from here on out, but at this point, he’s feeling good about what’s ahead for his sophomore year:
“I feel pretty good about special teams,” Carpenter said. “I think I’m one of the best cover guys in the league. Just watching my tape from last year, I made some mistakes but coming into Year 2, I expect to be a lot better.”
Packers News: Tariq Carpenter Still Not Sold on Position Change
Gpg Packers Training Camp 08042022 0010 (Packers News)
When Carpenter first learned about the move to LB back in June, his initial reaction was that he felt like he was “learning freaking Portuguese.” It has been a rough road for the young man, but you need to give him a lot of credit for embracing his new position, regardless of how he might feel about it deep down:
“I’ll be walking around trying to make excuses for myself, feeling bad,” Carpenter said, “but everybody else (is) just telling me, ‘You’re a linebacker now. You’ve just got to suck it up and do (your) job.’”
By his own admission, Tariq Carpenter has yet to fully accept his new role. However, this won’t stop him from giving it his all:
“I still believe I am a safety,” Carpenter said. “As far as my traits go, I’m long, athletic, explosive, not really a stout type of guy. I’m more of an athlete. I’m strong going forward. I’m strong coming with speed. I’ve just got to grow into it. I’m going to have some bumps and bruises throughout the way.”
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