Bluefin
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What's Left Behind Starters At OLB
Posted by jellis at 8/22/2009 6:04 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com
Bad night for outside linebacker Brandon Williams on Friday, a torn left ACL ending his season.
It wraps up what has been a difficult camp for the rookie from Texas Tech, after having just worked back from injuries to both shoulders.
The injury also brings up more question marks for the Cowboys relating to their depth at the position behind starters DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Fellow fourth-rounder Victor Butler is still there, but he's going through the same transition Williams was, trying to learn the position after playing defensive end in college.
Wade Phillips said a few days back he thought Butler and Williams would be more productive when the team began focusing them on the pass rush in the next week or two. Despite the loss of Williams, the Cowboys may still make getting after quarterbacks on third down Butler's main job.
After last night it looks like first-year player Steve Octavien could be in the team's plans as well. When the Cowboys opened the second half Friday night with some subs and some starters in the game, Octavien had replaced Ware, while Spencer stayed in on the other side of the 3-4 front. He played deep into the game, and tipped Vince Young's pass that was intercepted by Matt Stewart.
What about Justin Rogers? It's hard to envision Rogers getting many reps in the regular defense because he's been a special-teamer during his two years on the team, but he's basically all the Cowboys have left at the position.
Maybe this is one of the spots the Cowboys try to address after final cuts are made, scouring the waiver wire for some discarded talent. I think they wish they still had Erik Walden, the sixth-rounder they cut last year who is now in Miami. They'll probably be on the lookout for a guy like him, anyway.
Posted by jellis at 8/22/2009 6:04 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com
Bad night for outside linebacker Brandon Williams on Friday, a torn left ACL ending his season.
It wraps up what has been a difficult camp for the rookie from Texas Tech, after having just worked back from injuries to both shoulders.
The injury also brings up more question marks for the Cowboys relating to their depth at the position behind starters DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Fellow fourth-rounder Victor Butler is still there, but he's going through the same transition Williams was, trying to learn the position after playing defensive end in college.
Wade Phillips said a few days back he thought Butler and Williams would be more productive when the team began focusing them on the pass rush in the next week or two. Despite the loss of Williams, the Cowboys may still make getting after quarterbacks on third down Butler's main job.
After last night it looks like first-year player Steve Octavien could be in the team's plans as well. When the Cowboys opened the second half Friday night with some subs and some starters in the game, Octavien had replaced Ware, while Spencer stayed in on the other side of the 3-4 front. He played deep into the game, and tipped Vince Young's pass that was intercepted by Matt Stewart.
What about Justin Rogers? It's hard to envision Rogers getting many reps in the regular defense because he's been a special-teamer during his two years on the team, but he's basically all the Cowboys have left at the position.
Maybe this is one of the spots the Cowboys try to address after final cuts are made, scouring the waiver wire for some discarded talent. I think they wish they still had Erik Walden, the sixth-rounder they cut last year who is now in Miami. They'll probably be on the lookout for a guy like him, anyway.
