Training camp position previews: Outside linebackers

[Alexander]

Training camp position previews: Outside linebackers
8:00 AM Wed, Jul 22, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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The eighth in a 10-part series.

Roster locks: DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer

Safe bets: Brandon Williams, Victor Butler

On the bubble: Justin Rogers, Steve Octavien

Long shots: NA

What's worth watching: The only question about DeMarcus Ware, arguably the league's most dominant defensive player, is whether the Cowboys will lock him up to a long-term contract extension by the time the team breaks camp.

On the field in San Antonio, the focus will be on the development of the young outside linebackers with Greg Ellis finally gone.

The Cowboys believe Anthony Spencer, the 2007 first-round who inherits Ellis' starting job, is ready to emerge as an impact player. Wade Phillips said Spencer is one of the best OLBs against the run that he's coached, which is why Spencer played the majority of first and second downs in the latter half of last season. Dallas needs Spencer, who has only 4.5 career sacks, to be a pass-rushing force to make foes pay for focusing their blocking schemes on slowing down Ware. And Spencer must stay healthy, which was a problem last season.

At least one of the fourth-round picks needs to be ready to contribute this season, too. Brandon Williams and Victor Butler both led BCS conferences in sacks last season, and they're competing to spell Spencer on occasional passing downs. But both fourth-rounders need to make significant progress against the run to avoid being a liability if one of the starters is injured.

The Cowboys could opt to cut Rogers and Octavien, but they're both solid special teams players, giving them a chance to return to the 53-man roster.

 

[DCBoysfan]

The Cowboys needs contibutions from Brandon Williams and Victor Butler if they plan on reaching their goals this year. I'm not going to assign what kind of stats that ey need to recieve but they need to amke impacts in their rookie years. They both are going to be part of various sub-packages this year.

 

[BAT]

The Cowboys needs contibutions from Brandon Williams and Victor Butler if they plan on reaching their goals this year. I'm not going to assign what kind of stats that ey need to recieve but they need to amke impacts in their rookie years. They both are going to be part of various sub-packages this year.

At least ONE of them has to be able to contribute to the Cowboy package (3 OLB), b/c neither Rogers or Octavien can. Otherwise, no Cowboy package this season.