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Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary

Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: East-West Shrine Recap

By Tank Carder, as told to Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell

WalterFootball.com is proud to introduce our 2012 NFL Draft Diary with TCU linebacker Tank Carder. Throughout the draft process, Tank will be sharing his experience with the readers of WalterFootball.com. Tank will hit on the East-West Shrine Game experience, team interviews, the NFL Scouting Combine, his pro day, pre-draft visits, and of course, his draft day experience.

Carder was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of they Year the past two seasons. He also was the Rose Bowl Defensive MVP in TCU's win over Wisconsin at the end of the 2010 season.

Carder totaled 228 tackles with 25 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 19 passes broken up and four interceptions with three returned for touchdowns in his collegiate career. Carder is a hard-nosed football player who should have an interesting draft experience in 2012.

WalterFootball.com would like to thank Tank Carder for his participation. We would also like to thank Tank's agent, Kelli Masters of KMM Sports, for helping to facilitate Tank's draft diary. Carder and Masters are readers of this Web site, so it was a natural fit to approach them about having Tank's draft diary here. We are thrilled to have Tank share his journey with all of you. Now, let's let Tank take over.

I had a blast at the East-West Shrine practices and it was fun to get some extra time playing the game I love. The practices were a big learning experience for me. At TCU we played a 4-2-5 defense and at the East-West it was a 4-3, so I got to learn a whole new defense and coverages, the terminology and adjustments and everything. It was fun to learn. I was in college for four years and now I'm learning a different way of taking on blockers appropriately and properly so it really was a lot of fun for me.

The 4-2-5 defense wasn't completely different. We could slide into a 4-3, and stuff like that. It was similar, but as far as Sam (strongside linebacker), Mike (middle linebacker) and Will (weakside linebacker), we named them differently. It is all football at the end of the day. You have to play the run first and then you got to get to pass coverage.

Entering the NFL, I feel like I can adapt and play in any defense in the league whether it is a 4-3 or a 3-4. At East-West I felt like adapted quickly to the 4-3 and I know I can do that when I land with my team. I feel like that is one of my strengths, being able to adapt from position to position and system to system. I'll work hard and learn the techniques to be effective at that position.

Another adjustment aside from the 4-2-5 to the 4-3, was making the calls in the huddle. Its funny because I haven't been in a huddle on defense since high school. All through college it was stand around and get the call/signal from the coaches on the sideline. Everybody was on their own to extent of seeing the call from the sideline. You tend to see a lot more college defenses these days running that. That is in part because of the pace of college offenses that go up tempo so much and hurry up to the line to try and catch you off guard.

We made checks and we made audible calls and coverage calls on the field, but as far as being in a huddle I haven't done that since high school. It is a little different for me, but I like it.

It is all about being a leader. It's part of the job and that's what you play the game for. You have to get your guys in the huddle and focused and then make the call. If I'm called on to do that in the pros I can definitely do that and take on that load. It is definitely different for me but I really enjoyed it and had fun with it.

Tank Carder - listed in Round 3 of our 2012 NFL Mock Draft.

At night after practice we had lots of interviews with teams. They went well, and you get to meet a lot of new people. A lot of new faces, it is always good and you can never know too many people in the NFL. It is even better for me so those teams can get to know me and what kind of person I am. It is fun to meet all those guys. It is all part of the process and it is awesome to be living this right now. It is a blessing and a dream coming true.

I really haven't gotten any crazy questions yet. I'm sure it gets crazy at the combine, but right now it is all basic information. Your numbers, your family, where you grew up, where your family members are, so for the most part is basic information for them to get started on their background process. I'm sure those crazy questions will come soon and I've heard about them.

In speaking to the teams, all of them said they definitely like my instincts. They've all said that I'm a pretty aware football player. They like my instincts on the field on the run and as a coverage player. That is one of my strengths.

They also pointed out some weaknesses. For that they said my point strength with taking on blocks and shedding them. That is something for me to work on and get better at. That is a big-time motivation for me as I continue to progress in this sport and move on to the next level. There is always something you need to improve in your game.

I like to hear the negatives better than the positives. I think it is an opportunity to get better when you hear the critique, so it is good to get that side of it.

At TCU, I made my bread and butter by getting to the point of attack first and running past blockers rather than taking them on and shedding. I've always made a living on getting past blockers rather than trying to run through them. I used my quickness and I feel like that is one of my advantages is my speed and quickness. That was a big part of my game in college, but now it's the next level so I'm looking to add this and get better. I want to take my skill set for college, add in what I need for the NFL, and build myself into an effective NFL linebacker. I'm more than willing to do that.

Taking on blockers is the next thing I need to master and that's what I'm working towards. I'm going to learn from the guys that know how to do it well. I'm going to watch lots of film and take notes, and try and execute it myself.

All my new teammates were fun to get know. The guys all got comfortable and we started cutting up and laughing. Football teams are families so you need that. There are different personalities and you get to know more people. It was a lot of fun.

Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: Home
Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: Pro Day Workout - 4/3
Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine - 3/28
Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: Combine Training II - 2/23
Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: Combine Training - 2/2
Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: East-West Shrine Recap - 1/26
Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary: East-West Shrine Game - 1/20

tom johnson 02-04-2012 06:45 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.151 (total posts: 1)

hope you become a buffalo bill

Johnnyallstar 02-02-2012 03:46 pm xxx.xxx.xxx88.9 (total posts: 1)

I love the new feature Walt, hope we can see more next year.

Really good read Tank, hope you can keep calm and focused preparing for the combine. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Good luck bud.

connie rachunek sweeny, texas 02-02-2012 12:09 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.33 (total posts: 1)

Congratulations on all your hard work, I love you so much and so proud for you!!!!

Tank fan 01-26-2012 10:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.203 (total posts: 2)

Sorry Tank, 4 of those thumbs down was me. I didn't understand what the symbols were until it was too late. I thought it was a link to open or something. So I clicked on a few to see what it was. Boo on me. Good luck man!!!

AJ 01-26-2012 03:50 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.186 (total posts: 2)

Thanks for taking the time to do this. You've made me a fan for sure.

David Gmerek 01-25-2012 08:00 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.164 (total posts: 1)

Best of LUCK on draft day.
David & Glenda Gmerek

Samuel N. 01-25-2012 11:22 am xxx.xxx.xxx.203 (total posts: 2)

Good luck in your journey Tank. You possess rare talents young man. I have followed your career and watched you grow and mature during your college experience. The first time I watched you play was beside Darrell Washington and you made that pick 6 at the Utah game in Ft. Worth 3 years ago. Your level of play is like none other. Even though you were injured and hurting all 3 seasons, you still maintained an elite level of dedication to contribute to the Horned Frogs amazing successes! I shutter to think of the records you could have broken if you weren't hurt. Everything about you makes you a first round pick to any NFL team in my opinion. You are one of very few that will go down in TCU history as one of the greatest and MOST memorable Horned Frog!!

Cris Lowe 01-22-2012 11:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.34 (total posts: 1)

Wish the Falcons had less needs/more picks so we could draft Tank. He seems like the type who could be a fan favorite, and by doing the diary is showing that he cares about fans. Keep it up Tank, Il be rooting for you, and Im sure alot of other people from this site will be too.

Tiffany Temple 01-21-2012 05:36 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.206 (total posts: 1)

Your a machine! I'm so excited to see what life brings you next! Keep up your determination and hard work...see ya on the flip side!!

Terry Ullom 01-20-2012 09:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.195 (total posts: 1)

I have enjoyed watching you grow into the player you are and also the person you have become. You have always had that drive to be the best and are a special athlete. Sweeny boy.

Geoff 01-20-2012 02:37 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.44 (total posts: 1)

118

Tank, TCU is going to miss you! You were a great leader and I have no doubt you will thrive at the next level.

- 01-20-2012 11:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx92.4 (total posts: 1)

comment censored by SOPA

Jon Taylor 01-20-2012 08:26 am xxx.xxx.xxx.190 (total posts: 1)

Wow. You managed to get Carder to do this. I like the guy even more now. I see Carder as a Daryl Washington type ILB in the 3-4 and would love the Cardinals to pair them up together next year.

Good luck Tank you'll do great wherever you end up and great job Walt this site gets better by the day.

Todd Marinovich's Trip 01-20-2012 05:38 am xxx.xxx.xxx.226 (total posts: 1)

Another AWESOME new feature!

Also, well done Tank. Loved watching you in college (no homo, mind). A real tackling machine. I think you are going to be a success in NFL.

AJ 01-20-2012 04:15 am xxx.xxx.xxx.186 (total posts: 2)

Thanks for doing this, I hope the Rams draft you!

Pages: 1 23

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Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20

NFL Picks - Feb. 3

Tank Carder 2012 NFL Draft Diary

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