Ware injures shoulder, status unclear for next week

[WoodysGirl]

_ Jimmy Burch

Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, a six-time Pro Bowler, missed the fourth quarter because of a strained right shoulder and his status is unclear for next week. Ware never has missed a game in his Cowboys’ career.
Ware, already playing with a hyperextended elbow, returned for one play in overtime _ to rush the passer on third-and-3 _ but was not on the field when the Saints gained 31 yards on the pass and recovered fumble play that set up their winning field goal.

Ware, the team’s sack leader (11.5), did not talk after the game. Fellow outside linebacker Anthony Spencer said Ware is “one of the best this game has ever seen” and having him on the sideline “just takes away stuff” from what the Cowboys’ defense can do schematically.

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...next-week.html

[CowboysYanksLakers]

Real tough loss... If he can't go it's going to be a huge problem next week.

[StarMan]

Victor Butler, the gem of our great 2009 draft class, will pick up the slack.

[Future]

You could have Spencer take Ware's role and drop Victor Butler in coverage and we'd hardly notice any difference in this defense.

[JohnsKey19]

I think Ware plays in a limited role. Butler will have to step up.

[Dodger12]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

_ Jimmy Burch

"I don’t know of a team in the league that’s not filling in," Jones said. "Now, we missed DeMarcus out there for some time today. But still, we’re pretty sound on where our big emphasis is in being sound and having talent. I expect our defense to play."

Right Jerry. This D wanted CB's, and he got them; they're relatively healthy. Giving up over 500 yards on defense is a disgrace.

[FiveRings]

I wish Ware could have taken today off. He was a non factor because of how banged up he is, plus now he's hurt even further. With the game vs. the Saints being irrelevant barring miracles, I wish he could have rested up and been somewhat fresh for Washington

[perrykemp]

Originally Posted by Dodger12

Right Jerry. This D wanted CB's, and he got them; they're relatively healthy. Giving up over 500 yards on defense is a disgrace.

The pass defense is ranked 28th in the NFL as measured by opposing QB rating. Jerry got his CBs, but it hasn't markedly made a difference compared to last season.

[Dodger12]

Originally Posted by perrykemp

The pass defense is ranked 28th in the NFL as measured by opposing QB rating. Jerry got his CBs, but it hasn't markedly made a difference compared to last season.

I agree. I'll leave the Jerry bashing aside but it just goes to show you how philosophically flawed this team is from the top on down. The GM has no vision and no idea how to build a team. His CB's are healthy and the D is still atrocious.

[Future]

Originally Posted by perrykemp

The pass defense is ranked 28th in the NFL as measured by opposing QB rating. Jerry got his CBs, but it hasn't markedly made a difference compared to last season.

That number would be way, way different if Lee, Carter, and even Church were playing. Look where all the completions and yardage come from before judging the DBs, it's not like QBs are hitting wide open WRs down the sidelines. They are working the middle of the field where corners are unable to make plays.

The LB and safety coverage in the middle of the field and in has been putrid. Add some poor tackling to that, and you've got a poor pass defense...but the CBs aren't really to blame.

[dallasdave]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

_ Jimmy Burch

Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, a six-time Pro Bowler, missed the fourth quarter because of a strained right shoulder and his status is unclear for next week. Ware never has missed a game in his Cowboys’ career.
Ware, already playing with a hyperextended elbow, returned for one play in overtime _ to rush the passer on third-and-3 _ but was not on the field when the Saints gained 31 yards on the pass and recovered fumble play that set up their winning field goal.

Ware, the team’s sack leader (11.5), did not talk after the game. Fellow outside linebacker Anthony Spencer said Ware is “one of the best this game has ever seen” and having him on the sideline “just takes away stuff” from what the Cowboys’ defense can do schematically.

[View Full Quote]Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...next-week.html

We have to have Ware to have a fighting chance.

[ravidubey]

Originally Posted by Dodger12

I agree. I'll leave the Jerry bashing aside but it just goes to show you how philosophically flawed this team is from the top on down. The GM has no vision and no idea how to build a team. His CB's are healthy and the D is still atrocious.

Wait, I wanted DL as much as anyone, but when you lose 4 out of 5 starters in the middle of the defense you're going to be affected, I don't care who you are.

In 2009 the Steelers lost Troy Polamalu and their defense went into a death spiral.

It's not always easy to predict where the weak link will be in a defense, but you sure as Hell can predict by the end of the year someone will have found ways to exploit it.

Bottom line Jerry saw a weakness and went overboard trying to patch it. He doesn't understand you're not supposed to build a team that way.

[Dhragon]

Originally Posted by FiveRings

I wish Ware could have taken today off. He was a non factor because of how banged up he is, plus now he's hurt even further. With the game vs. the Saints being irrelevant barring miracles, I wish he could have rested up and been somewhat fresh for Washington

But we did not know if this game was going to be irrelevant or not until after the Giants played (and lost to) the Ravens. With Philly's woes, you couldn't expect them to put up much of a fight against the Giants in the final week so it was up to the Ravens to win, which thankfully they did. So Ware played and aggravated his injury. It happens.

[erod]

Victor Butler is an old speed bump against the run. Not good.

[perrykemp]

Originally Posted by Future

That number would be way, way different if Lee, Carter, and even Church were playing.

Yes, but the same GM chose to draft two ILBs with college injury histories and have them man the middle.

The same GM pinned the hopes on the other safety positon on a UDFA in Barry Church who never had started a game before. He was considered borderline too slow to play the position BEFORE he blew his achilles.

The vast hole in the middle of the defense cannot be attributed <entirely> on bad luck -- this is how Jerry chose to build the defense.