Dan Carpenter

Daniel Roy Carpenter (born November 25, 1985) is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 after playing college football at the University of Montana.

Early years
Carpenter attended Helena High School (Montana), where he was a member of the National Honor Society and had a 3.7 GPA. As a football player at Helena, Carpenter was a two-time all-state and two-time all-league selection as a kicker and punter. During his senior season, he converted 26 of 29 point after attempts and made five field goals with a long of 53 yards. Additionally, he was a first all-conference and second-team all-state selection as a wide receiver, setting school records with 931 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

College career
Carpenter then became the placekicker at the University of Montana as a true freshman in 2004. He went 18-for-29 (62.1 percent) on field-goal attempts while converting all 63 extra-point tries. Carpenter also rushed twice for 17 yards and scored a touchdown. His 123 points that season were the second-highest total in school history, and his performance earned him a second-team All-Big Sky selection.

As a sophomore in 2005, Carpenter went 14-for-21 (66.7 percent) on field-goal attempts and punted nine times for a 41.4-yard average. on the way to his second straight second-team All-Big Sky selection. His streak of 67 consecutive extra points made dating back to his freshman season was snapped in the 2005 season opener against Fort Lewis.

Carpenter earned his third straight All-Big Sky selection as a junior in 2006, receiving second-team honors as a placekicker as well as being an honorable mention as a punter. Additionally, he was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press. On the season, he converted 24 of 30 field goals (80 percent) with four blocked and punted 62 times for a 41.9-yard average.

Carpenter had the most efficient season of his career as a senior in 2007, converting 19 of 23 field goals (82.6 percent). His performance earned him his fourth-straight All-Big Sky selection and second straight All-America selection.

In his four years at Montana, Carpenter converted on 54 of 75 field goals (72.8 percent) and punted 71 times for a 41.8-yard average. He also passed once for 14 yards, rushed twice for 17 yards and a touchdown, caught one pass for two yards and made seven solo tackles.

Miami Dolphins
After going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, Carpenter signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins on April 29, 2008. The deal included a $7,500 signing bonus.

The Dolphins released 2007 starting kicker Jay Feely on August 12, 2008 (despite having set the Dolphins single-season field-goal percentage record in his only season), having already released try-out signing Dave Rayner on June 6. The decision effectively selected Carpenter to be the starting kicker for the 2008 season, with coach Tony Sparano commenting that the decision to cut Feely "was based purely on numbers, on performance, and Carpenter has outperformed him right now. That's the bottom line."

Carpenter made his professional debut on September 7, 2008 (Week 1) against the Jets, going 2/2 on PAT's (the team attempted no FG's). He kicked his first professional field goal the following week against the Cardinals, finishing the game with 1/1 FG's and 1/1 PAT's.

On November 30, 2008, Carpenter set the Dolphins' rookie record for most consecutive field goals made with 11.

Carpenter was awarded the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November 2008, for converting all eight of his field goal attempts during the month, including five from a distance longer than 40 yards.

According to NFL stats, Carpenter finished the 2009 season going 25 for 28 on field goals with a long of 52 yards. He also finished 40 for 40 on extra point attempts.

Carpenter made his first Pro Bowl in 2009. San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding did not play due to injury, and Carpenter took his spot.

As of the end of the 2010 season, Carpenter is the second most accurate kicker in NFL history, behind Kaeding.

On December 5, 2010, Carpenter made a 60-yard field goal in a home game against the Cleveland Browns. This was the longest field goal in Miami Dolphins history.

On September 23, 2012, Carpenter missed a 47-yard field goal in a home game against the New York Jets in overtime which would have sealed victory for Miami in overtime. Carpenter also missed a field goal from a similar distance earlier in the game. Miami would ultimately go on to lose 23-20 to New York in overtime.

On November 25, 2012, his 27th birthday, he hit a 43-yard field goal to win against the Seattle Seahawks in overtime to win 24-21 at home. Later on December 22, he was placed on Injured Reserve. Former Charger Nate Kaeding was signed to replace him.

Family
Carpenter married Kaela Clawson native of Plentywood, Montana, in a private ceremony and reception on July 2, 2011. The events were held on the acreage of the brides family farm and ranch in Montana. Carpenter and Clawson met in college in Missoula, Montana. Clawson studied elementary education.