OXNARD, Calif. -- Dallas Cowboys weakside linebacker Bruce Carter understands the criticism he received for his struggles last season.
The 2011 second-round pick played in 15 games and finished with a career-high 96 tackles, but poor play led to him being benched multiple times and he rarely showcased the confidence and playmaking ability he displayed the year before.
"In the NFL, you go through your highs and your lows," Carter said Friday. "I think that's just growth. Every player is going to have to go through it and experience that. But you've got to learn from it. I'm going to keep pushing. I'm a fighter. I'm going to just keep going."
After showcasing so much upside as an inside linebacker in Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme, Carter looked like a completely different player in Monte Kiffin's 4-3 system.
Carter said he never lost confidence, but he was frustrated at times.
"I've just got to go out there and play my game," Carter said. "I think when I played my bad games, I think I kind of let that get into my head a little bit and it kind of frustrated me and took me out of how I was and the fun out of football.
"I got that back and I had to get that back. I'm out here having fun with all the young guys. Just go out here and have fun and let everything else handle itself."
When did football start becoming fun again?
"OTAs," Carter responded. "Once the season ended I had a huge chip on my shoulder. I went and had a great off-season. I worked out well. I had good OTAs. I'm out here just having fun now."
