DMN Blog: DeMarcus Ware needs to fill leadership void

[WoodysGirl]

12:53 PM Wed, May 27, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

When he wasn't complaining about his contract or role, Greg Ellis was a great influence on the young Cowboys' defensive players.

It's DeMarcus Ware's turn now.

Ware has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL. He'll get paid sooner or later for that production. He seems to understand that the next step for him is establishing himself as a leader in the Cowboys' locker room.

Ware has taken subtle steps in that direction the last couple of weeks. He's a reserved guy who would prefer to avoid the media as much as possible, but he talked to a horde of reporters for several minutes after both of the OTA workouts that were open to the media. That might not seem like a big deal, but part of being a leader is serving as a team spokesman.

Mentoring younger players, something Ellis did eagerly regardless of the circumstances, is another major part of leadership. Ware worked one-on-one with Brandon Williams on the Standridge Stadium turf while most of their teammates headed for the bus yesterday.

Ware, whose production and character commands respect, has always been a lead-by-example kind of guy. The Cowboys need their best player to be more than that, and Ware appears willing to do so.



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[Stash]

12:53 PM Wed, May 27, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

When he wasn't complaining about his contract or role, Greg Ellis was a great influence on the young Cowboys' defensive players.

It's DeMarcus Ware's turn now.

Ware has established himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL. He'll get paid sooner or later for that production. He seems to understand that the next step for him is establishing himself as a leader in the Cowboys' locker room.

Ware has taken subtle steps in that direction the last couple of weeks. He's a reserved guy who would prefer to avoid the media as much as possible, but he talked to a horde of reporters for several minutes after both of the OTA workouts that were open to the media. That might not seem like a big deal, but part of being a leader is serving as a team spokesman.

Mentoring younger players, something Ellis did eagerly regardless of the circumstances, is another major part of leadership. Ware worked one-on-one with Brandon Williams on the Standridge Stadium turf while most of their teammates headed for the bus yesterday.

Ware, whose production and character commands respect, has always been a lead-by-example kind of guy. The Cowboys need their best player to be more than that, and Ware appears willing to do so.

That's great news.

And I hope a few others follow suit.

Romo and Witten are great players I'd like to see be more assertive leaders.

 

[EGTuna]

Is anyone worried that a huge contract will result in Ware getting "satisfied" and not living up to the contract? I am not saying I think this will happen, I am just wondering if anyone thinks this will happen? There are certainly plenty of example of this happening in the NFL and other pro leagues.

 

[Alexander]

Is anyone worried that a huge contract will result in Ware getting "satisfied" and not living up to the contract? I am not saying I think this will happen, I am just wondering if anyone thinks this will happen? There are certainly plenty of example of this happening in the NFL and other pro leagues.

Not in the least. Ware has not given any indications he's like that. Usually, you can see up and down performances and inconsistencies that are indicators when players have that type of personality. He doesn't look like he's playing for a payday. He's done nothing but improve and excel every year he's been in the league and it would be shocking if he shifted into idle just because he got paid.

 

[adamknite]

Is anyone worried that a huge contract will result in Ware getting "satisfied" and not living up to the contract? I am not saying I think this will happen, I am just wondering if anyone thinks this will happen? There are certainly plenty of example of this happening in the NFL and other pro leagues.

I don't think so, because in another interview he was talking about how he screwed up or missed opportunities and could of had even more sacks last year and how this year he was looking to correct that and have an even better year. I don't think he's looking for a payday, he just wants to get paid what he's worth.

He sounds like a guy who really enjoys playing football and is always wanting to be better, so I don't believe he's the cash it in type.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I don't worry about that type of thing or attitude from Ware in the least. He seems to be one of those guys who just wants to be paid fair value and plays his guts out all the time because he loves playing football.

 

[ethiostar]

Is anyone worried that a huge contract will result in Ware getting "satisfied" and not living up to the contract? I am not saying I think this will happen, I am just wondering if anyone thinks this will happen? There are certainly plenty of example of this happening in the NFL and other pro leagues.

NO!

Call me gullible or naive or whatever but Ware doesn't seem like that type of guy. He seems to take a lot of pride in what he does both on and off the field. I just don't see that happening. Of course, strangest things have happened but this, if it was to happen, would catch me off guard.

 

[dallascowboysfan31]

Ware may be my favorite cowboy.

 

[Nexx]

dware makes watching defense fun, just like i use to love watching a speedy runner get on base with Pudge Rodriguez behind the plate back in the days.

 

[Rampage]

Ware worked one-on-one with Brandon Williams on the Standridge Stadium turf while most of their teammates headed for the bus yesterday.

that's great to hear. especially for me since I have hope for Williams unlike Butler.

 

[Doomsday101]

I have no doubts Ware will be one of the main leaders of this team. He has established himself as the most dominate players on the defense and guys will look to him

 

[adbutcher]

Is anyone worried that a huge contract will result in Ware getting "satisfied" and not living up to the contract? I am not saying I think this will happen, I am just wondering if anyone thinks this will happen? There are certainly plenty of example of this happening in the NFL and other pro leagues.

no...

 

[Sarge]

no...

What he said.... :signmast:

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Ware needs to just slap a few people around... They'll follow suit just fine :laugh2:

 

[casmith07]

I have confidence that Ware will get it done.

 

[JakeCamp12]

Is anyone worried that a huge contract will result in Ware getting "satisfied" and not living up to the contract? I am not saying I think this will happen, I am just wondering if anyone thinks this will happen? There are certainly plenty of example of this happening in the NFL and other pro leagues.

I don't ever see Ware settling for less then his best. Now if you want to see the poster children for guys that are satisfied after getting paid, see Roy Williams 31 or Flo Adams....

 

[JoeyBones31]

Is anyone worried that a huge contract will result in Ware getting "satisfied" and not living up to the contract? I am not saying I think this will happen, I am just wondering if anyone thinks this will happen? There are certainly plenty of example of this happening in the NFL and other pro leagues.

I'm not so much worried about him being satisfied as I am thinking Demarcus is not that fiery type rah , rah, leader.

He's steady as there is in terms of doing his job on the field, I wouldn't expect Ware to be the vocal leader on defense, I was thinking more in terms of Brookings, he is and should be that voice in the ears of the defensive players. His veteran leadership should help.

Offensively, Tony Romo should be that take charge kinda guy, but again, I fear he playful "having fun" demeanor will be a blockage in his becoming "the guy" on offense like Roger, Troy, Danny were when they lead the team .

Somebody needs to step up and take charge, preferable the QB on any team I coached in my 20 years tenure in High School football.

Tony IMO just doesn't have the mentality to be the voice of discipline either.
But I'm hoping with Terrell gone, he'll spread his wings and grow up !

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm not so much worried about him being satisfied as I am thinking Demarcus is not that fiery type rah , rah, leader.

He's steady as there is in terms of doing his job on the field, I wouldn't expect Ware to be the vocal leader on defense, I was thinking more in terms of Brookings, he is and should be that voice in the ears of the defensive players. His veteran leadership should help.

Offensively, Tony Romo should be that take charge kinda guy, but again, I fear he playful "having fun" demeanor will be a blockage in his becoming "the guy" on offense like Roger, Troy, Danny were when they lead the team .

Somebody needs to step up and take charge, preferable the QB on any team I coached in my 20 years tenure in High School football.

Tony IMO just doesn't have the mentality to be the voice of discipline either.
But I'm hoping with Terrell gone, he'll spread his wings and grow up !

Ware is demonstrative enough on the field, you don't need to be Ray Lewis to motivate and lead your team

 

[Chocolate Lab]

It seems like Ware is definitely making an effort at becoming more of a vocal leader. And he's one of the few players with the skins on the wall to do that.

I'd like to see Ratliff do the same thing, and he might be doing that as well.

Much better these guys as leaders than diva wide receivers.

 

[Doomsday101]

It seems like Ware is definitely making an effort at becoming more of a vocal leader. And he's one of the few players with the skins on the wall to do that.

I'd like to see Ratliff do the same thing, and he might be doing that as well.

Much better these guys as leaders than diva wide receivers.

I agree. I think the players on defense will look to Ware he is the focal point of that defense and I think he can take on the role of leader. As I said above you don't need to be Ray Lewis foaming at the mouth to motivate others around you. I think Ware has the respect as a dominate player in the eyes of his teammates