The Cowboys hosted a former Ravens’ defensive back on Friday. No, it’s not Earl Thomas, despite Stephen Jones keeping the door open on a meeting with the All-Pro.
Brandon Carr was back in Dallas for a visit Friday according to Field Yates of ESPN. Carr spent the last three seasons in Baltimore, but had his team option declined in March, allowing him to hit the free agent market.
Carr started all 16 games a year ago, spending time at both cornerback and safety. Carr, while on the downside of his career, played well in both roles for the superb Baltimore defense.
The 33-year old’s best ability throughout his career has been his availability. Since entering the league as a fifth-round pick in 2008, Carr has started every game possible. Carr’s 192 straight games starting is the most among defenders and the second most straight starts in the league behind only Philip Rivers.
Since being drafted the teams Brandon Carr has been on have played 192 regular season games.
Brandon Carr has started 192 of them.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@JC1053) September 4, 2020
That 192 straight games includes a five year stint with Dallas (2012-2017) in the middle of Carr’s career, where he was extremely solid for the Cowboys secondary. His reputation was tarnished based on the lucrative deal he was given, but he played similarly to what he was with Kansas City before coming over to the NFC.
Carr was exclusively a corner for the better part of his career, but his physicality and experience allowed the Ravens to shift Carr to safety for the back half of the 2019-20 season.
Here’s what Baltimore defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale had to say about Carr just a year ago:
“He’s a pro’s pro. When I say that, he takes care of his body religiously. He studies the game. And he has a confidence when he goes out there because of all the work that he’s put into it — whether it’s the offseason, training camp or today — that he’s going to be able to make the plays that are presented in front of him.”
Carr’s experience and versatility could benefit the Cowboys at either cornerback or safety, as both positions for Dallas have players dealing with injuries and players in-line to start for the first time of their caree
With the season just over a week away, fans will soon see what moves the Cowboys make, if any, to solidify the back half of their defense.
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