IRVING, Texas — When the Dallas Cowboys drafted Jason Williams in the third round Sunday, they saw the Western Illinois linebacker as another Kevin Burnett. Williams is athletic, fast and can play on special teams.

"He can really run and he will really hit you," coach Wade Phillips said.

Burnett was a staple on the substitute defensive packages, but he signed with San Diego as a free agent this off-season. For Williams to take over that role, he will have to beat out Bobby Carpenter, the Cowboys' No. 1 pick in 2006.

"Bobby is a guy we expect to come through and play for us, especially in our sub packages where he can cover the backs man to man and he can blitz," Phillips said. "He's been working at it. This is time for him to step up."

Carpenter has been waiting.

In Phillips' two seasons, Carpenter has seen little time on defense. He was credited with only two tackles in 2007 and five in 2008, according to the coaching film, playing mostly special teams.

It was hardly what he expected when he came to the Cowboys.

"If you're never really given a realistic chance to show what you can do," Carpenter said, "then it can become very frustrating and tough mentally."

The Cowboys entertained the possibility of trading Carpenter in the off-season but pulled back after Burnett left.

Phillips and Carpenter talked about the expectations for 2009.

"I've tried to be honest with Bobby," Phillips said. "I said, 'Look, this is a new year. I've wiped the slate blank.' ... He's going to work at it. He's a worker, now. We're going to give him every opportunity to be the kind of player he feels he is and overall everybody feels like he can be."

It took time for the Cowboys to settle on Carpenter's position. As a rookie, he played outside linebacker but did not see much playing time until a Greg Ellis injury. He had 1.5 sacks of Atlanta's Michael Vick and deflected three passes in the playoff loss at Seattle.

When the Cowboys drafted Anthony Spencer in the first round in 2007, Carpenter was moved inside, backing up Bradie James, Akin Ayodele and Zach Thomas. In addition to the lack of playing time, the caught-on-camera comment by owner and general manager Jerry Jones that Carpenter was a "finesse" player did not help the perception.

"I try to make plays, mix it up," Carpenter said. "If I'm athletic enough to do different stuff where you don't have to pound, you take advantage of the skills you have."

To play in the sub packages, a linebacker has to be able to run and cover running backs and tight ends. Jones said Carpenter was "great lateral," and he is among the fittest players on the team.

This is probably Carpenter's last chance, but he is looking at it as his best one, too.

"It's exciting to know you have a real chance," Carpenter said. "I don't foresee myself losing that spot. I'm counting on my ability to play it."