For Those Knocking Ware's Lack of Sacks

[tyke1doe]

(including me) ...

I thought this was an interesting article/perspective about Simeon Rice.

By extension, some could argue this is the difference between Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware.

It's officially open season on Simeon Rice. Earlier this season, Giants defensive end Michael Strahan took his shots at the Bucs' starting defensive end. Last week, Bucs coach Jon Gruden called out several defensive linemen, including Rice. On Wednesday, it was former teammate Keyshawn Johnson's turn. Johnson brought up Rice on Wednesday while praising Panthers teammate Julius Peppers as the most complete defensive end he's seen in his 11-year career.

"One guy goes after nothing but sacks. The other guy plays complete," Johnson said. "One guy says outrageous statements about he's the best at this, this, this and the other guy ... it's not even close.

"All Simeon Rice does is rush the passer; that's it. If he doesn't get to the quarterback, you can forget it. He ain't making any other plays." (insert )

Rice, who has five consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks, has one through five games this season; Peppers leads the league with eight.

Even Rice's former high school teammate, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, took a playful jab at Rice's lack of production this season when Rice's one sack was brought up.

"Hopefully it will stay that way after this week," McNabb said.

Strahan took the first potshot when he proclaimed Rice a one-dimensional player.

"If you just want to run up the field, if you don't want to pay attention to the defense and just run up the field and get sacks, then you're going to be a Simeon Rice," (insert )Strahan said. "I mean, you have big numbers, but you don't have the respect of other defensive ends." (Insert )

That's some major hate for Simeon Rice.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

So tyke1doe, you're saying that Merriman is one-dimensional and Ware is a complete player?

 

[AsthmaField]

So tyke1doe, you're saying that Merriman is one-dimensional and Ware is a complete player?

I do believe he is saying that... and it's probably somewhat true.

 

[DasTex]

So tyke1doe, you're saying that Merriman is one-dimensional and Ware is a complete player?

I don't feel that Merriman is a one demensional player, but I would say that Ware is a MORE complete player right now.

Some of these media guys like John Clayton, who listed his top 15 players and put Merriman at #4 are smoking crack! Number 4 in the ENTIRE NFL??

 

[Eanwen]

Others have pointed this out, but Ware has the talent, he just needs to improve his pass-rushing moves. Right now his best move is the bull rush; that's fine if you can channel Reggie White, otherwise you need to pick up a few more techniques.

I'd say,given his (apparent) rate of improvement, he's still 2 years away from consistently getting double digit sacks.

 

[CowboyJeff]

I'm sure if Merriman was playing on the Cowboys' defense, Zimmer would find a way to stifle his productivity.

 

[austintodallas]

Ware is a beast against the run.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

If you're comparing Simeon Rice to Shawn Merriman, then I think you're a bit off base. While Rice seems to only care about sacks, and isn't assigned to cover RBs or receivers out of the backfield, Merriman many times covers instead of rushing the QB. In fact, in the play that caused the Bolts to lose to the Ravens, Merriman was one of the players covering the receiver who missed the tackle that allowed the winning TD.

While DWare is one of my favorite players, I don't feel the need to bash the guy we passed on to get to him in order to make excuses for Ware's play, or lack thereof. Although part of Ware's job description demands he cover players in the flat, his main job is to rush the passer, which he hasn't done well this season. Yes, he has several hurries & has come close many times, that only counts in horseshoes & hand grenades. Face facts, the guy is gauged by his sack count, & turnover ratio. That is what he was drafted for.

 

[Eanwen]

I'm sure if Merriman was playing on the Cowboys' defense, Zimmer would find a way to stifle his productivity.

Sort of OT, but the last DL I saw make a good spin move was Russel Maryland (sp). I don't think I've ever seen anyone do a double move (like a rip to one side and spin to the other).

 

[Alexander]

The fact is sacks change the course of football games.

I have not seen Rice's one-dimensional play hurt the Tampa defense over the years.

 

[Eanwen]

While DWare is one of my favorite players, I don't feel the need to bash the guy we passed on to get to him in order to make excuses for Ware's play, or lack thereof. Although part of Ware's job description demands he cover players in the flat, his main job is to rush the passer, which he hasn't done well this season. Yes, he has several hurries & has come close many times, that only counts in horseshoes & hand grenades. Face facts, the guy is gauged by his sack count, & turnover ratio. That is what he was drafted for.

Well sometimes pressure can cause ints, or 3 and outs.

 

[tyke1doe]

So tyke1doe, you're saying that Merriman is one-dimensional and Ware is a complete player?

Really, I'm not saying either. I'm trying to give some balance to the argument that Merriman might be more one dimensional than Ware or maybe the Cowboys are grooming Ware to be more than a one-dimensional type player.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Ware is doing very good in our scheme and will only get better!

 

[Stautner]

So tyke1doe, you're saying that Merriman is one-dimensional and Ware is a complete player?

Ware/Merriman isn't the same as Pepper/Rice.

It may be safe to say that just as Peppers is a more complete player than Rice, Ware is a more complete player than Merriman.

HOWEVER, there is a big difference, because Peppers isn't just a more complete player, he also is at least as good a pass rusher - or better.

In other words, Peppers plays a complete game and still is a dominant pass rusher, and that standard does not apply with Ware.

 

[StarAmongStars]

(including me) ...

I thought this was an interesting article/perspective about Simeon Rice.

By extension, some could argue this is the difference between Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware.




That's some major hate for Simeon Rice.

Parcells said himself yesterday that Ware is still 'raw'......Merriman is playing like a seasoned 10 year veteran in year #2. Merriman is a complete player, Ware isn't....at least at this point in his career.

So sorry this argument isn't valid....

 

[tyke1doe]

Parcells said himself yesterday that Ware is still 'raw'......Merriman is playing like a seasoned 10 year veteran in year #2. Merriman is a complete player, Ware isn't....at least at this point in his career.

So sorry this argument isn't valid....

I guess you missed the word "could."

I'm not taking a definitive position. Just offering a different perspective.

 

[AdamJT13]

The fact is sacks change the course of football games.

Not very often.

 

[Duane]

Parcells said himself yesterday that Ware is still 'raw'......Merriman is playing like a seasoned 10 year veteran in year #2. Merriman is a complete player, Ware isn't....at least at this point in his career.

So sorry this argument isn't valid....

Yeah, 10 yr seasoned vets go for the kill shot in coverage instead of tackling a TE to end the game.

 

[burmafrd]

Merriman is nowhere near as good at stopping the run or coverage as ware is. Simple fact. Merriman is very much a one trick pony. Ware is an all around player. Now he DOES need to improve his pass rush- no arguement. But only fantasy MORONS judge a LB strictly on his pass rush.

 

[gbrittain]

Parcells said himself yesterday that Ware is still 'raw'......Merriman is playing like a seasoned 10 year veteran in year #2. Merriman is a complete player, Ware isn't....at least at this point in his career.

So sorry this argument isn't valid....

There you bashing our starting OLB again.

As long as poor little ole Bledsoe does not take heat, bashing is ok I guess.