ESPN Pasquarelli: Where have Ware's sacks gone?/Showdown in Denver

[WoodysGirl]

Where have Ware's sacks gone?


Of the six players in the league who entered this weekend with more than two sacks, two defenders, Elvis Dumervil of Denver (six) and Seattle's Lawrence Jackson (three), have already tied last season's sack totals. League leader Antwan Odom, with seven, has bagged more than twice as many sacks as in 2008 (three). But Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware, the NFL's leading sack man last season (20), is still stuck on zero after three games.

Part of the blame might be the offseason decision to release linebacker/end Greg Ellis for salary-cap reasons. An 11-year veteran, Ellis had eight sacks in 2008 and 12½ in 2007 for the Cowboys, and his forays off the edge precluded opponents from double-teaming Ware. Ellis' replacement, former first-rounder Anthony Spencer (2007), has yet to notch a sack this season, and had only 4½ his first two years.

Still, Ware has seen more one-on-one blocking than anticipated in the first three games, and he has to beat that scheme. Notable is that Ellis already has three sacks for the Oakland Raiders, or as many as Dallas has as a team. The Cowboys have only one sack, by nose tackle Jay Ratliff, from a down lineman so far. Rookie linebacker Victor Butler has the only other two sacks. It's the first time Ware has gone three straight sackless games in a season since his 2005 rookie year, when he went eight consecutive contests.

Showdown in Denver


Speaking of Ware, one of the weekend's best matchups will feature the Dallas star against Denver Broncos standout left tackle Ryan Clady. A few weeks ago in this space, we touted Clady, a first-round choice in 2008, not only as one of the best young left tackles in the league, but one of the best, period. That assessment has been borne out in subsequent discussions with NFL scouts. Clady has now played 19 consecutive games, unofficially, without surrendering a full sack. The most allowed in a game by the former Boise State star since he came into the league is a half-sack.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=4525205

 

[2much2soon]

Ellis is gone, but I don't recall seeing any recognition about Canty being gone having an affect on Ware's numbers.

Maybe he was more impactful than we all thought?

Lining up against Clady will be tough. I am a BSU homer and try to catch Denver games whenever I can to see how Clady is doing. He mostly dominates the guy across the line, with ease.
Like Flozell in terms of size and strength, but with fantastic mobility.

 

[TD-33]

They will come. Statistics are great but they don't tell the entire story. Only black and white.

 

[Bluefin]

Demarcus Ware was injured week one playing the Bucs and has since also suffered a neck strain.

And he's come close on a couple of occasions only to not get the drop.

Anyone watching the games one would see Ware in some one one one situations as Pasta noted, but they might also recognize the pass defense is currently sitting at 27th overall in the NFL at 268 yards per game.

Sacks aren't easy when the quarterback is getting rid of the ball quickly.

It has nothing to do with who is playing strongside 'backer, the sacks will come soon and there will be a lot of them before the season is done.

The defense is adjusting and playing better, Ware will be fine.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Ellis is gone, but I don't recall seeing any recognition about Canty being gone having an affect on Ware's numbers.

Maybe he was more impactful than we all thought?

Lining up against Clady will be tough. I am a BSU homer and try to catch Denver games whenever I can to see how Clady is doing. He mostly dominates the guy across the line, with ease.
Like Flozell in terms of size and strength, but with fantastic mobility.

I think Ware just got off to a slow start. He looked much better last week. The Broncos will probably leave Clady alone with Ware a fair amount, at least at first. We'll see what Ware can do with it...

 

[landryscorner]

I'm still trying to understand why don't they try to mask Ware's position on the line of scrimmage or atleast try to move the guy around...or Blitz to his opposite side. We know they stack RB and TE to Dware's side, why not blitz to the otherside where it's weak. Really def. coaching and the inept play of Spencer are really hurting Ware's career at the moment if we see the same thing tomorrow and he gets no sack I blame our defensive scheme and not Ware this is seriously hurting his chances for a great season.

 

[gbrittain]

I am just waiting for the Romo sucks crowd to start a Ware sucks crowd. Brilliant!

 

[CowboyMike]

I think the majority here does not fall into a "Ware sucks" category. We all know he does not, save for a couple around here that are just crazy.

But there are a bunch of us that think something is wrong. Whether that is injury, weight gain, contract issues (which may affect him subconsciously even if he doesn't try to let it affect him), or anything else.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think the majority here does not fall into a "Ware sucks" category. We all know he does not, save for a couple around here that are just crazy.

But there are a bunch of us that think something is wrong. Whether that is injury, weight gain, contract issues (which may affect him subconsciously even if he doesn't try to let it affect him), or anything else.

Yeah, I don't think he's right at all, whether it be the concussion or the neck strain or something else. As other people have noted, forget the sacks -- he's just not moving like he usually does. Or chasing plays down from behind.

 

[CowboyMike]

Yeah, I don't think he's right at all, whether it be the concussion or the neck strain or something else. As other people have noted, forget the sacks -- he's just not moving like he usually does. Or chasing plays down from behind.

That too. He just looks a little labored and unbalanced. I've seen him get shoved or just turn direction rapidly and he loses his feet from under him. And instead of getting back up like usual, he's staying down.

 

[casmith07]

If that's the case, put Victor Butler opposite Ware and let him fly.

But yes they all are conveniently ovlerlooking his injuries, particularly the one in week 1

 

[masomenos]

I'm still trying to understand why don't they try to mask Ware's position on the line of scrimmage or atleast try to move the guy around...or Blitz to his opposite side. We know they stack RB and TE to Dware's side, why not blitz to the otherside where it's weak. Really def. coaching and the inept play of Spencer are really hurting Ware's career at the moment if we see the same thing tomorrow and he gets no sack I blame our defensive scheme and not Ware this is seriously hurting his chances for a great season.

It's the same defensive scheme that has made Ware the NFL's sack leader over the past two years. Teams didn't just now realize that Ware needs to be blocked.

 

[RS12]

I am just waiting for the Romo sucks crowd to start a Ware sucks crowd. Brilliant!

Aint gonna happen. Ware has earned his stripes.

 

[dogunwo]

If that's the case, put Victor Butler opposite Ware and let him fly.

But yes they all are conveniently ovlerlooking his injuries, particularly the one in week 1

Can Butler play against the run? You just want to put him in on obvious passing downs?

 

[AdamJT13]

Merriman has no sacks, either, and James Harrison just got his first one last week.

 

[burmafrd]

Ware is NOT moving like he did last year. HE is not as quick. Its clear that he has some kind of an injury.

 

[jjktkk]

Merriman has no sacks, either, and James Harrison just got his first one last week.

Which is exactly why I'm not panicking. Ware and Spencer have put up alot QB pressures, just haven't sacked the qb yet. Now in the 2nd half of games I've noticed that Ware and Spencer have look fatigued, but Hopefully Butler will continue to improve and be able to sub in give Ware and Spencer a break here and there during the game.

 

[CF74]

Where have Ware's sacks gone?

They've been gobbled up by our soft zone coverages.

 

[Beast_from_East]

They've been gobbled up by our soft zone coverages.

Yea, it is kinda hard to get sacks when the CBs are playing 10 freaking yards off the receivers.

If we do this tommorow, I am going to break something!!!