After getting released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, veteran linebacker Bruce Carter seems to be on the visiting trail. He’s likely to end up playing for the New York Jets or the Detroit Lions.
Carter already visited with the Jets, who are still looking for someone to replace Demario Davis, and up next are the Lions. He was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after just one season with the team. Previously he played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2011 through 2014, with some good moments but was never consistent enough to become a full time starter.
He’s played both outside and inside linebacker in the 4-3 defense and also some in the 3-4. His versatility is appealing, especially to the Lions who aren’t looking for a specific position to fill like the Jets, but he’s more useful playing in the middle. He has five sacks in his career, including two last season. In 14 games for Tampa Bay (three starts) he also had 30 tackles. In 2014, he had an inexplicable five interceptions for the Cowboys with 11 passes defended.. One of those interceptions was brought back for a touchdown.
He signed a four year deal with the Bucs but lasted just one season. Projected to be a starting middle linebacker before the 2015 season, he was moved to sam linebacker, after rookie Kwon Alexander outperformed him in training camp. He was used mostly as a backup before getting cut (his $17 million deal had just $4.25 million guaranteed). The Lions have $17.5 million in cap space to use, which means they have no problem adding him. Things are a bit tighter for the Jets, with just $2.2 million in cap space right now.