Shante, we agree that your play in the NFL improved each year. In 1997, you started all sixteen games for the Dallas Cowboys. Because you played (and started) the full slate of sixteen, we feel 1997 would be the best season to examine and the best example for our defense:
In 1997, the Dallas Cowboys finished 6-10. You had six sacks in five games. In those five games, the Cowboys went 4-1. In the other eleven games, the Cowboys went 2-9. We believe that you had a direct, positive impact on the Cowboys. We agree that when Shante Carver produces numbers, the Dallas Cowboys are doing well.
Additionally, you played behind some big names on the Cowboys' defensive line. That, along with a variety of other reasons, prevented you from getting on the field. However, you overcame it and started 25 consecutive games to finish your NFL career (23 reg., 2 playoffs). You also recorded a sack in the last Cowboys' playoff victory ('96-'97, MIN).
Looking at your entire body of NFL work, though, we feel your impact—in terms of consistency and production—did not match expectations for a first-round (23rd overall) draft pick.
Production can only occur when you get on the field. Your NFL career lasted 4 seasons, with only one full season (1997). During that final stretch of 25 straight games as a starter, you only tallied 9 sacks. On the whole, you played in 52 of 64 regular season games, starting 26, and you played in 5 of 7 playoff games, starting 4. Over 57 games, you recorded 13 sacks.
A short NFL career, with limited statistical value and an inability to stay on the field, neither meets the expectations nor realizes the potential of a first-round draft pick. The above characteristics qualify you as a bust on the NFL level.
Carver (98), with the 1993 Playboy All-American team, defense.
This is not to say you were not a success on other levels—you were an All-American at Arizona State and a finalist for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award, after all. Your inclusion on the Cowboys bust list is simply reflective of NFL production with respect to expectations.
