Beginning of the decline for Ware?

[FLcowboy]

Originally Posted by canters

I think he has picked up other duties with the injuries to Carter and Lee. He is only 30 y/o, so I doubt he is in decline just yet.

Good observation. Lee was a stud in coverage over the middle, and both did a great job stopping the run. Ware can't freewheel from the corner as much, if at all.

Spencer's play this year, and in my opinion, years previous also, gives Dallas a great LB core for next year.

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by theebs

Just like Ratliff last year. Rat was really hurt last year down the stretch and gutted it out and the fans responded by saying he sucks and is old.

Now Rat showed everyone he isn't done by playing about 20% of the snaps this year but played them really well only when he is healthy.

Everyone has to face the truth - when guys start getting dinged up every year with the same kind of problem it is a sign that part of their body is giving out and you don't have to lose much before you are done in this league.

Ware may have a couple more really good years but we will increasingly need to spare him for the nickel defense more and more. We probably should have started doing it this year but we don't have enough depth at OLB to allow it. It seemed like we were trying to get Wilber more involved last night and Butler played a few snaps and badly beat the LT who was stonewalling Ware much of the game.

A dominant pass rushing OLB is a major need next season. We have to let Spencer go so as not to invest too much in any one position. We probably can't have tow $10+M OLBs and a high first round pick with all the other needs on this roster (Safety, OL) that need to be addressed.

[jazzcat22]

Originally Posted by SDCowboy85

He's been really...disappointing this season, IMO. I wouldn't be surprised if he has maybe next season and then retires. He's already a HOFer.

To who's standards, did you really expect him to get 20 plus sacks every year.....not that you do, but I think many do.
Retire?....he's only 30....

[BigDFan5]

Threads like this make me dread pulling up this.forum

[wick]

You guys are nuts if you think Ware is the same player he was three or four years ago. As I said initially, he's still very good, but he is not as good as he was then. That by definition means he is declining.

[BraveHeartFan]

This is almost as dumb as the threads suggesting Witten was done and should have been moved on from.

[DavidAK]

I think Spencer is a more valuable player to this defense at this point. Ware, he's been having a rough season no doubt. He might be declining or just having a tough year. He's far from done though.

I think Ryan needs to spell Ware way more than he does right now. He's our best pass rusher right now, and believe rit or not. We need him healthy not just this year, but for the future as well.

Look at what happened to Ratliff. He seamingly fell off the planet one year to the next. We need a healthy rotation not just a good core. Depth wins in the NFL.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by erod

Ware is a very good player, but he is vastly overrated. Always has been. He's benefitted at times by being the ONLY player on this defense worth a crap other than Ratliff.

He's not in the same class as Charles Haley or Harvey Martin as a pass rusher. He's not as good against the run as even Anthony Spencer.

If I had to compare him in ability to a former player, it would be Too Tall Jones (different but similar impact).

Ware makes impactful plays, but he also disappears for entire halves or longer. He's not an all-day relentless player like the true greats of the game.

I agree with this. Still love the guy though.

[REDVOLUTION]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

I doubt it'll happen because our GM is a fraud, but we need to approach the offseason like Ware is finished as an impact player. Not that he is, but that needs to be the approach. We absolutely must find a top pass rusher.

That approach paid off 2 major dividends for Giants (2 SB's) they went on a tare a few years back and got a bunch of DE's.