We need to keep Victor Butler

[TheCount]

One thing not a lot of people are talking about is what happens if Ware gets injured this year? The guy is a warrior and doesn't want to come off the field even when he's hurting, but he was largely ineffective down the stretch and he's getting older.

If he has to miss a couple of games, who's taking over as a pass rusher on the weak side if Anthony Spencer isn't here? We currently have NO ONE on the roster I'd be happy with, and a lot of the draft focus has been on a DE to play the strong side.

Butler was just okay as a 3-4 OLB, but don't forget the guy had 22 sacks in his final two years before leaving Oregon State. He has a history as a pass rusher, and a 4-3 may be just what the doctor ordered.

If we end up not keeping Spencer, I'd divert some of those funds to Butler even if he's just a rotational guy and an insurance policy. Ware's neck and shoulder/arm are a bit worrying and we at least have a few years of watching Butler take on NFL talent, which is not the case for these draft guys.

 

[lwehlers]

i also agree that butler can still be a good pass rusher and spell ware. butler probaly will not cost to much to keep.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

i also agree that butler can still be a good pass rusher and spell ware. butler probaly will not cost to much to keep.

I think you might be surprised at what kind of contract Butler may get in free agency.

 

[lwehlers]

I think you might be surprised at what kind of contract Butler may get in free agency.

you might be right about that since butler is only 25 or 26 i think. teams do pay alot for players that play defensive end at that age. some 3-4 teams might think that he can be a good spot starter for them also.

 

[Woods]

I think the intention may be to put K Wilbur behind Ware. At least that's what I read . . . .

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think the intention may be to put K Wilbur behind Ware. At least that's what I read . . . .

Either that or draft a promising pass rush DE in the 3-4 rounds.

 

[Eskimo]

I wouldn't mind bringing him back for a few years at about $1.5M/yr or so.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I can't look past the fact that the team preferred to put a very hobbled D-Ware towards the end of the season than a seemingly healthy Victor Butler.

At most, the team should make a 1-yr qualifying offer to see how well he converts in the 4-3. But IMO, he's not worth getting a multiple year contract.

 

[Aven8]

I agree with the OP. DE is his natural position IMO. He could never pick up OLB for some reason. I think he might thrive finally.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Butler will test the FA market. I think Dallas intent is to get Romo resigned and free up cash and get Spencer signed in the process.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't agree. I'm not giving a 2nd contract to a spot, inconsistent player like Butler. I don't think he'll be any better at DE in a 4-3. We need to fill that position with a draft pick.

 

[Idgit]

If he'd take a value contract, it'd be fine with me, but he's unlikely to not have options.

He's supposed to be Anthony Spencer's best friend on the team. I suppose it's possible that the two want to stay put, but I'm not counting on it. Not sure I like the idea of rolling with Butler any better than I like the idea of rolling with a street free agent veteran if we're in the unfortunate situation of Ware going down for an extended period of time.

 

[FLcowboy]

I can't look past the fact that the team preferred to put a very hobbled D-Ware towards the end of the season than a seemingly healthy Victor Butler.

At most, the team should make a 1-yr qualifying offer to see how well he converts in the 4-3. But IMO, he's not worth getting a multiple year contract.

A voice of reason in the wilderness. He hasn't done much of anything yet.

 

[xwalker]

It depends on what other mid-level guys they might be able to get in Free Agency.

Butler could be the Nickel pass-rusher combined with Crawford in the base on the side opposite of Ware. This would keep him out of run defense situations. If Ware was injured, I don't know if you would want Butler to be his backup in the base defense. Butler is just not good against the run.

The under-contract options to backup Ware at Weak-Side DE are:

Albright
Wilbur
Cameron Sheffield (6-2 257)

Albright might be a good option to backup Ware in the base defense if he is not the SLB. He seems to be strong at the point of attack.

 

[xwalker]

I can't look past the fact that the team preferred to put a very hobbled D-Ware towards the end of the season than a seemingly healthy Victor Butler.

At most, the team should make a 1-yr qualifying offer to see how well he converts in the 4-3. But IMO, he's not worth getting a multiple year contract.

At the time that was my thought also; however, it turns out that Butler had minimal or zero playing time in the last game or 2 due to an injury.

I knew something was up when Brady Poppinga was playing DE and Butler was nowhere in sight.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

One thing not a lot of people are talking about is what happens if Ware gets injured this year? The guy is a warrior and doesn't want to come off the field even when he's hurting, but he was largely ineffective down the stretch and he's getting older.

If he has to miss a couple of games, who's taking over as a pass rusher on the weak side if Anthony Spencer isn't here? We currently have NO ONE on the roster I'd be happy with, and a lot of the draft focus has been on a DE to play the strong side.

Butler was just okay as a 3-4 OLB, but don't forget the guy had 22 sacks in his final two years before leaving Oregon State. He has a history as a pass rusher, and a 4-3 may be just what the doctor ordered.

If we end up not keeping Spencer, I'd divert some of those funds to Butler even if he's just a rotational guy and an insurance policy. Ware's neck and shoulder/arm are a bit worrying and we at least have a few years of watching Butler take on NFL talent, which is not the case for these draft guys.

he is way too undersized to play DE in a 4-3, which is hte position ware plays. he would be engulfed in the running game and wouldn't be a good match up against LTs as a DE. what he did in college hasn't been replicated in the pros and that's the proof we need. not what he did 3 years ago against inferior competition, but what he has done in the NFL.

he is a liability in coverage. has missed assignments. is a liability against the run. moving to a 4-3 DE ain't going to make any of those better. he just doesn't fit

 

[WoodysGirl]

At the time that was my thought also; however, it turns out that Butler had minimal or zero playing time in the last game or 2 due to an injury.

I knew something was up when Brady Poppinga was playing DE and Butler was nowhere in sight.

Yeah, but if I go by reports, then Ware was playing one-armed for the last six games, so my reasoning still applies.

I think a 1-yr deal for depth is much more reasonable than a multi-year deal.

 

[jobberone]

he is way too undersized to play DE in a 4-3, which is hte position ware plays. he would be engulfed in the running game and wouldn't be a good match up against LTs as a DE. what he did in college hasn't been replicated in the pros and that's the proof we need. not what he did 3 years ago against inferior competition, but what he has done in the NFL.

he is a liability in coverage. has missed assignments. is a liability against the run. moving to a 4-3 DE ain't going to make any of those better. he just doesn't fit

Whether or not anyone agrees, this is the question with him unless you plan to play him as a LB.

I just don't have a good feel for him as a run stopper. My impression is like yours and he can't stand up to the run well enough. I've wondered if he wouldn't make a good Will. I've penciled in Carter as the Will but Carter could play the Sam. There's a lot of options at LB. I'm just not certain he can play the run well enough to trust. I have no doubts about his ability to pressure the QB and for those that want Freeney here this guy could be another solution to a spot rusher on passing downs as well.

 

[xwalker]

he is way too undersized to play DE in a 4-3, which is hte position ware plays. he would be engulfed in the running game and wouldn't be a good match up against LTs as a DE. what he did in college hasn't been replicated in the pros and that's the proof we need. not what he did 3 years ago against inferior competition, but what he has done in the NFL.

he is a liability in coverage. has missed assignments. is a liability against the run. moving to a 4-3 DE ain't going to make any of those better. he just doesn't fit

I agree that he is not good against the run, but his size is not out of range for a WDE in a Kiffin defense.

For reference, Seattle has Bruce Irvin (6'3 248) playing WDE.

Victor Butler 6'2 245

 

[Future]

This team needs new blood. He's been around too long and done nothing to warrant a new contract, IMO.