Victor Butler: A Dallas Gem from the Fourth Round Shines

Out of the team's 12 draft draft selections made this past April, the Dallas Cowboys picked up several players who converted from their original positions to outside linebacker.

However, Brandon Williams and Stephen Hodge are on the injured reserve, and Jason Williams has been on the injury report with a high ankle sprain (though should be back relatively soon).

However, one linebacker still remained and he was a steal. His name is Victor Butler.

Butler is a fourth-round draft choice the Cowboys picked up to address depth at linebacker after Kevin Burnett and Zach Thomas left the team while Greg Ellis was getting older.

I didn't expect he’d be getting this much playing time for Dallas, but Ellis, in his unhappiness, finally left Dallas after the team released him on his own request.

Ellis is now with the Raiders, and with the obvious lack of linebacker depth after so many injuries, Butler really got a chance to shine Sunday night.

He was sent in the fourth quarter when Dallas was already up, 21-7, and Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was trying to make a last-minute miracle against the 'Boys.

Butler replaced Anthony Spencer for a couple of plays and sacked Delhomme twice, forcing a fumble on the second sack that was recovered by defensive end Jason Hatcher.

This guy came out of Oregon State. He’s a Beaver that chews away on the pass rush.

I mentioned him prior in an earlier article during preseason.

To quote it directly, though: “Backup Linebacker Victor Butler really impressed me. He managed to make a tackle and get pressure against the starting Oakland team. Now, he does have to learn to play the run a bit better, but he is looking like a fine draft pick.”

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