Beginning of the decline for Ware? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

wick · 12-03-2012

I still think Ware is a very good player, but he's either hurt and not saying or he's starting to show the effects of aging. He gets doubled a lot, so not getting pressure on those plays isn't a huge indicator for me. What is an indicator, though, is that he isn't beating one-on-one blocking with his speed rush around the corner nearly as much as he used to. You can see that he doesn't seem to trust this move as much because he tries to bull rush to a much greater degree than I can ever remember, but he's not powerful enough for this to be a go-to strategy.

As a result, our pass rush has really tapered off because we don't have anyone else who is a good pure rusher. That needs to be a top priority after the season.

Risen Star · 12-03-2012

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.

canters · 12-03-2012

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.

SDCowboy85 · 12-03-2012

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.

Gaede · 12-03-2012

He's not having his best season, that's for sure. Great players have bad seasons too though. Doesn't mean he's done

Does he look top heavy to some? Like he's gotten a little too big? I don't know, he doesn't seem nearly as explosive as usual

TheCount · 12-03-2012

Quote:

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.

Retire?!

**WoodysGirl** · 12-03-2012

Ware's been battling hamstring and neck stingers all season...

He went out briefly last night after re-aggravting the neck stinger...

Zordon · 12-03-2012

true, he needs more help on the dline. but he has disappeared too much this year vs inferior olines. every great player gets double teamed so lets not use that excuse.

anava · 12-03-2012

I was thinking the same about being injured. It seemed like he was on the sideline alot on 3rd down.

Zimmy Lives · 12-03-2012

Quote:

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.

I doubt he retires but he does appear to be in decline. Either that or the level of athleticism in the NFL has surpassed his; he seems to miss more open field tackles (this season) than I can remember.

Regardless, I have been preaching that the Cowboys should find his replacement (eventual successor) for two years. I hope they address pass rusher in the 1st round this year if they do not go stud d-lineman instead.

SDCowboy85 · 12-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCount

Retire?!

He's already a HOFer and he's got nagging neck issues. If he's starting to decline also, yes, retire.

wick · 12-03-2012

Quote:

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.

I thought it needed to be this past off season. Jerry won't see it that way, of course. We are almost never proactive about addressing needs and generally wait a season or two after weakening before taking measures to stop the bleeding.

juck · 12-03-2012

Ware hasneck problems that he has been plagued with. I was concerned with it at beginning of season.

SDCowboy85 · 12-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zimmy Lives

I doubt he retires but he does appear to be in decline. Either that or the level of athleticism in the NFL has surpassed his; he seems to miss more open field tackles (this season) than I can remember.

Could be the latter. I see a young player like Von Miller in Denver and remember that used to be Ware cutting through lines like nothing and blowing up the QB. That just isn't Ware anymore. Now if Ware gets to the QB, he just rolls off him or whiffs.

Risen Star · 12-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by wick

I thought it needed to be this past off season. Jerry won't see it that way, of course. We are almost never proactive about addressing needs and generally wait a season or two after weakening before taking measures to stop the bleeding.

Right. Because the GM has no foresight. He needs to see the problem on the field for a while before he gets it.

It'll be the same thing with Romo. We'll get all we can out of him and then expect the QB fairy to drop a franchise talent in our laps when he can't go anymore.

Ya know, like a good GM would.