There is a lot of fallout from the Bobby Carpenter-Alex Barron trade. More than we ever thought.

With Carpenter gone, there's a feeling that second-round pick Sean Lee will take over for Carpenter on the nickel and is the future starter over Keith Brooking at the Moe linebacker spot.

Not so fast.

Don't forget about Jason Williams, the Cowboys' first pick of the 2009 draft (third round).

Williams suffered a left high ankle sprain in the third preseason game and missed the first three weeks of the regular season. When healthy, he was inactive for eight regular-season games and two playoff games.

He didn't show much promise, but coaches are aware of his ability.

"I think it's his year to step up and contribute more than he did last year," coach Wade Phillips said after the rookie minicamp. "I think he’s ready to do that, he’s a really talented player and he works the right way."

Already the Cowboys are putting the pressure on Williams to make things happen. But Lee also wants to play at the inside linebacker position.

"He's got great movement," Phillips said of Lee. "It's what you’re looking for. The ability to play inside linebacker is not easy to find these days. To play the run and the pass and to be agile and active enough, he has all those qualities and he’s real smart. He's learned a lot of our coverages along with three-quarters of our notebook already."

Phillips said he wasn't sure if Lee can translate what he read in the rookie minicamps to the field just yet, but the coach is excited about his potential.

With Carpenter out of the way, it seems the Cowboys' increased the competition battles around here this summer.

You can talk about the left tackle spot -- Barron vs. Doug Free -- or even at safety -- Alan Ball vs. Michael Hamlin.

But Lee vs. Williams will be very interesting to watch.