IRVING, Texas - Backup roles are often an adjustment for high- to middle-round draft picks because many were perennial starters in college.
Victor Butler wasn't. In fact, the Cowboys' rookie outside linebacker didn't start for Oregon State until his senior season, when he became a team captain and led the Pac-10 in sacks (12.0).
As a freshman, sophomore and junior, he was a situational pass rusher - his primary defensive responsibility as a "freshman" in Dallas.
"He was also a very good story of development," Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said. "Just through time he became, first of all, a very viable defensive end, and eventually became an impact player with a lot of speed and good athletic ability."
Riley said Butler improved dramatically as a sophomore, when his body matured and he continued to dedicate himself to the film and weight room. As a rookie, the Cowboys see similar growth at his new position, outside linebacker.
He's tied for third on the team with three sacks, including a critical one in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's win over the Eagles. With starter Anthony Spencer briefly sidelined, Butler made a shoe-string stop on quarterback Donovan McNabb to force fourth down and a 52-yard field goal. The Eagles cut the lead to four but never got the ball back.
"He's a young player; he's very active," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "That's the only situation he'd really come in with the game on the line. The others we've been ahead or way ahead, so that was an important step for him to come and make a play, especially a play like that."
Phillips doesn't want to force too much on Butler this soon. After all, he played end in a 4-3 scheme at Oregon State. In training camp, he switched linebacker spots (from DeMarcus Ware's to Spencer's) when fellow rookie Brandon Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Butler also faced a position switch as a college freshman. He was primarily a receiver and safety in high school, and Riley initially wasn't sure where he'd play.
"He probably could have been an H-back for us or a linebacker," Riley said, "but he truly became a guy that really fit what we like at defensive end."
Now, Butler will continue replacing the departed Greg Ellis in defensive substitution packages and contributing on special teams. He already has 11 coverage tackles that rank fourth on the team.
Butler also has a pass-rush highlight video of Ware stored on his Ipod. The Pro Bowl linebacker has provided advice for him all season.
"He's playing really well on special teams, making a lot of big plays," Ware said. "And then coming in on dime (defense) and rushing situations, he's really good at what he does. He can come in one game, two plays, with two sacks, or one play and get a sack."
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