DMN Blog: Cowboys not panicking about pass rush/Ware plays hide and go seek

[WoodysGirl]

4:51 PM Sun, Sep 13, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger Bio | E-mail | News tips

The Dallas defense will have to wait until at least Week 2 for their first sack after leading the league in that category last season.

It's not a subject of great concern, according to the NFL's reigning sack leader.

DeMarcus Ware said he was actually pleased with the Cowboys' pass rush against Byron Leftwich, who completed 25 of 41 passes for 276 yards and a TD. The Cowboys were credited for nine hurries against Leftwich, whose mobility brings Drew Bledsoe to mind. Another hurry by Anthony Spencer led to a pick, but the play was negated by an illegal contact call against Gerald Sensabaugh.

"It's a matter of time before the stats of the sacks come into play," said Ware, who was credited with a couple of hurries. "We actually were getting a lot of pressure, a lot of knockdowns on the quarterback. We were knocking Leftwich down. We were getting him down on the ground. He wasn't completing any passes on that play.

"You might as well say that's a sack to us. As long as we're getting pressure, the sacks will come eventually."


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DeMarcus Ware plays hide-and-go-seek
4:42 PM Sun, Sep 13, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger Bio | E-mail | News tips

DeMarcus Ware played a different sort of hide-and-go-seek on the Cowboys' sideline during Sunday's season opener.

This time, Ware wasn't the one hiding.

The Cowboys' athletic training staff wanted to make sure they had time to evaluate the perennial Pro Bowler after he took a shot to the head while tacking Tampa Bay tight end Kellen Winslow. They didn't trust Ware to stay on the sideline, so they hid his helmet.

Of course, a helmet is a heck of a lot easier to hide than a 6-4, 260-pound pass-rushing machine. Isn't it amazing that Ware was able to hide from the coaches last season so they were forced to get Greg Ellis in the game? That's a testament to Ware's trickiness.

Or maybe it's evidence that Ellis, who had already moved on to Al Davis' circus in Oakland when he made the claims about Ware hiding on the sideline, has quite an imagination.

Considering the fact that Ware played 97 percent of the defensive snaps last season, it's a safe bet to go with the latter.

Ware, who said he felt fine after the game, wasn't in the mood for hide-and-seek Sunday. He didn't even miss a full defensive series.


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[texbumthelife]

What a warrior. Still, he didn't look as explosive when he came back on the field.

 

[rynochop]

What a warrior. Still, he didn't look as explosive when he came back on the field.

As explosive compared to what?? It happened on their first drive.

 

[xWraithx]

As explosive compared to what?? It happened on their first drive.

as explosive as his 20-sack pro bowling self

 

[casmith07]

as explosive as his 20-sack pro bowling self

yeah rynochop must've been living under a rock since Ware was drafted.

 

[TheCount]

Ware was rushing to the outside a lot this game, it seemed to me, but I haven't watched it back. A couple of times they capitalized on his overpursuit and ran right off the guard in the hole he left.

 

[Fletch]

Count me in as one who is extremely glad we let Greg Ellis leave. He was such a cry baby!

Let Seymour and Ellis lead the Raaaaiders!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Sandwich had almost 300 yards passing.

I guess I'm underwhelmed at Ware's answers.

 

[Chief]

Sandwich had almost 300 yards passing.

I guess I'm underwhelmed at Ware's answers.

It sounded like Wade talking.

 

[MrMom]

It sounded like Wade talking.

Or a stock Greg Ellis answer.

 

[postal]

Ware was rushing to the outside a lot this game, it seemed to me, but I haven't watched it back. A couple of times they capitalized on his overpursuit and ran right off the guard in the hole he left.

I agree he kinda took himself out of alot of plays,no inside move or spin.you can't do the same type of rush every play. And I certainly wouldn't have him back in coverage.

 

[Bluefin]

I saw Demarcus Ware back in coverage today more than any game I can remember.

Anyone else notice this?

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Sandwich had almost 300 yards passing.

I guess I'm underwhelmed at Ware's answers.

I don't think Ware will have those opinions once he looks at the film.

 

[cowboys2233]

Sandwich had almost 300 yards passing.

I guess I'm underwhelmed at Ware's answers.

Passing yardage is the single most overrated stat in the passing game. It really is. Look at some of the all time passing leaders in terms of yardage and then take a look at how many SBs they've won between them.

Passing between the 20s is one thing -- the game really comes down to the red zone. That's where things get much tighter and a defense can play on equal footing with an offense. Between the 20s there is just so much room to move around for an offensive player.

 

[Hoofbite]

Sandwich had almost 300 yards passing.

I guess I'm underwhelmed at Ware's answers.

Sandwich was also beat to a pulp.

I wish the pass D would have been a little tighter but I can live with bludgeoning a QB.

Also, Glad to see Ware is okay. I was worried for a second. I thought he knocked himself out. Looked like he knocked himself out.