Does Ware commit inside too often?

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I saw several plays where it seemed Ware got caught up inside with the play running to the outside away from him. Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to bash the guy - I'm just making an observation. I think this is something he can improve on and when he gets better at the outside contain his game will get even better. The same goes for those missed sacks where he was a hairline off from getting them. As he improves his closing-in moves the sacks will come in droves.

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[Smith22]

Yeah, he did cost us a few times on running plays, as did Davis at FS. Give them both time.

 

[Doomsday101]

I saw several plays where it seemed Ware got caught up inside with the play running to the outside away from him. Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to bash the guy - I'm just making an observation. I think this is something he can improve on and when he gets better at the outside contain his game will get even better. The same goes for those missed sacks where he was a hairline off from getting them. As he improves his closing-in moves the sacks will come in droves.

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These are the mistakes I expected to see by Ware. He did a better job as the game went on about not pinching in so hard on the pass rush. I think for a while we will have to deal with the good and bad from rookie players

 

[roughneck266]

Sure but he is still a rookie, and really so is Davis for that matter, they will come around, and when they do...

 

[CaptainAmerica]

He said after the game he needs to get better at recognizing formations. He said they were throwing a lot at them and he has to recognize what they are doing. This was one reason he was caught inside several times.

I'm sure that is an area he will improve on with coaching and playing experience.

 

[NYCowboy22]

I thought he fixed that towards the end of the game.

 

[Doomsday101]

He said after the game he needs to get better at recognizing formations. He said they were throwing a lot at them and he has to recognize what they are doing. This was one reason he was caught inside several times.

I'm sure that is an area he will improve on with coaching and playing experience.

I heard him say that as well. Also heard that SD was using a lot of overload formations using an extra lineman in the game which caused some confusion for the D-line

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

He said after the game he needs to get better at recognizing formations. He said they were throwing a lot at them and he has to recognize what they are doing. This was one reason he was caught inside several times.

I'm sure that is an area he will improve on with coaching and playing experience.

So it's not so much the technique during the play as much as the "read" before the play which dictates his technique. Interesting!
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[aikemirv]

On the plays in the first half when LT got to the outside it did not seem as much like Ware was inside too much, just that he could not shed his block and get to the outside when he needed too.

 

[jt40]

While that is true that Ware struggled at times, you got to keep in mind that is how you play OLB in the 3-4. It is called hammering or spilling the play outside. It is quite simple. TE blocks down. Ware is supposed to step in that gap and hammer the approaching blocker. This will "spill" the ball outside. Which should be an easy, clean play for the MLB to his side. I agree he made some mistakes yesterday, but a lot a times he was doing what he was coached to do. Joe Buck does not understand that!

 

[NYCowboy22]

On the plays in the first half when LT got to the outside it did not seem as much like Ware was inside too much, just that he could not shed his block and get to the outside when he needed too.

I agree. He has to work on getting off his blocks quicker and snatching the RB. He did do it and stopped LT in the backfield on one occassion. Don't worry, Ware is going to turn out great, just give him some time to adjust.

 

[Wood]

I hope it was Ware technique and not a strength issue.

 

[Boom]

While that is true that Ware struggled at times, you got to keep in mind that is how you play OLB in the 3-4. It is called hammering or spilling the play outside. It is quite simple. TE blocks down. Ware is supposed to step in that gap and hammer the approaching blocker. This will "spill" the ball outside. Which should be an easy, clean play for the MLB to his side. I agree he made some mistakes yesterday, but a lot a times he was doing what he was coached to do. Joe Buck does not understand that!

Doesn't he have contain duties on those outside runs? On some of the plays it looks as if he immediately crashed the tackle and let LT side step him on the outside. I admit I'm not very familiar with the 3-4, but that's what I was seeing.

 

[dmq]

This problem w/ Ware is going to be exploited by teams until he learns. He is only a rookie. He will learn fast how to adapt because he is going to be shown it until he stops teams from exploiting him. We all knew this defense will have some growing pains. I was hoping the boys would just keep their record above water until our defense gets it together. We are doing that. We will get better week to week.

 

[jt40]

Agreed. It happened atleast one time. Pretty big play. It was the run right before the LT score. I think that was when he was playing end in a 3 pt, but I could be wrong. With that said, I still feel he played well.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

While that is true that Ware struggled at times, you got to keep in mind that is how you play OLB in the 3-4. It is called hammering or spilling the play outside. It is quite simple. TE blocks down. Ware is supposed to step in that gap and hammer the approaching blocker. This will "spill" the ball outside. Which should be an easy, clean play for the MLB to his side. I agree he made some mistakes yesterday, but a lot a times he was doing what he was coached to do. Joe Buck does not understand that!

I'm a little confused. Isn't the OUTSIDE the responsibility of the OUTSIDE LB? If he "spills" the ball outside, how can that make it the MIDDLE LB's duty to make the play? I always thought it was the OLB's job to funnel the play to the inside, where the MLB & safetys are.

It is fundamental football that the DE in the 4-3, or the OLB in the 3-4, has to make sure to contain the play, so that it doesn't get outside of his assigned area, since he is normally the last player on his side of the field. Unless the safety is assigned to the outer edge of the OLB on a certain play, the OLB must not allow the play to get outside of his area.

IMHO.

 

[aceware94]

The first series they ran left 4-5 times and trapped Ware inside. Yeah, he committed to early on a couple, others he didn't recognize it quick enough, also they have an all-pro fullback. As he came off the field did you see Zimmer talk to him, after that talk he didn't get caught inside again. I thought the rush defense did outsatnding considering LT stats. The pass rush up the middle seemed to be lacking at times. Brees was stepping up all day until they blitzed or Ware came on a few stunts. They did a few things well and a few things they need to work on. All in all it was a win, on the road, against one of the AFC's best teams.

 

[AbeBeta]

I'm a little confused. Isn't the OUTSIDE the responsibility of the OUTSIDE LB? If he "spills" the ball outside, how can that make it the MIDDLE LB's duty to make the play? I always thought it was the OLB's job to funnel the play to the inside, where the MLB & safetys are.

It is fundamental football that the DE in the 4-3, or the OLB in the 3-4, has to make sure to contain the play, so that it doesn't get outside of his assigned area, since he is normally the last player on his side of the field. Unless the safety is assigned to the outer edge of the OLB on a certain play, the OLB must not allow the play to get outside of his area.

I think the issue isn't knowing the responsibility -- it is recognizing whether he needs to play the run, pass rush, or cover a receiver. It is a complicated role in the D and Ware is a rookie coming from a small school. Honestly we should be excited that he's even on the field at this point. He had a few excellent pressures and a couple of solid tackles.

 

[lurkercowboy]

The first series, San Diego was playing with an unbalanced line. They had an extra tackle on Ware's side and they were running that way. It took a little time for Dallas to adjust. Buck didn't mention it until the second SD possession.