NFL.Com: Vets (Like Ware) still rank as top pass rushers but young faces closing gap

[WoodysGirl]

By Pat Kirwan NFL.com
Senior Analyst
Published: June 15, 2011 at 06:55 a.m.

Pass rushers are hard to find, with the great ones usually forced to beat two players to get to the QB. If the best rushers sack a quarterback 10 times in 300 pass rushes that's considered good. In baseball, if you get a hit three out of every 10 tries you are called an excellent hitter. Conversely, a sack every 30 pass rushes is an accomplishment.

While sacks are vital, pressures, having a complementary player on the opposite side, protection schemes and consistency were also factors in ranking the top 25 pass rushers. However, defending the run was not factored into the process.

As I have done with the other positional rankings, the players are in groups of five and in alphabetical order inside each tier. Every pass rusher listed either has an (^) for guys on the rise, (>) for players maintaining their status or (v) for those on the decline.

Of the pass rushers to make the list, 14 are 4-3 ends, 10 are 3-4 outside linebackers and one is a tackle. Groups C and D are packed with rising stars, many of whom will be in the top 10 a year from now.

Check out the list: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...-top-pass-rushers-but-young-faces-closing-gap

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I think people forget Ware is only 28...

 

[adbutcher]

I think people forget Ware is only 28...

No stuff...

 

[WoodysGirl]

I think people forget Ware is only 28...

In football years tho, he's positively ancient. He's no longer a rising star, he IS a star. He's not an up-and-comer, he's an acknowledged beast of a player.

So now folks are looking at who might be the next Demarcus Ware..

 

[2233boys]

I find it interesting, honestly I think Ware gets disrespected because he isn't a ******bag like Harrison, or doesn't have the long ghey hair like Matthews.

On that list here are the sack totals compared to Wares, no one has more sacks since 2005. Of the pass rushers who have came into the league since 2005, none of them beat his totals either. Some of them are close, Allen, Matthews, etc. Take a look at the list, Ware, in my opinion, is the best pass rusher in the league.

Demarcus Ware since 2005 80 sacks

Allen 83 sacks since 2004 74 since 2005
Freeney 94 sacks since 2002 54 since 2005
Harrison 49 sacks since 2002, 48 since 2005
Peppers 89 sacks since 2002, 59 since 2005
Abraham 102.5 sacks since 2000 59.5 since 2005
Cole 57 sacks since 2005
Tuck 40.5 sacks since 2005
Williams 48 sacks since 2006, Ware has 72
Woodly 39 sacks since 2007, Ware has 60.5
Dumervil 43 sacks since 2006, Ware 72
Matthews 23.5 since 2009, Ware 26.5
Mathis 74 sacks since 74, 60 since 2005
Orakpo 19.5 sacks since 2009, Ware 26.5
Umenyiora 60 sacks since 2003, 52 since 2005
Hali 41.5 sacks since 2006, Ware 72
Johnson 21.5 sacks since 2007, Ware 60.5
Phillips 56.5 since 2004, 52.5 since 2005
Suh 10 in 2010, Ware 15.5
Wake 19.5, since 2009, Ware 26.5
Babin 30 sacks since 2004, since 2005 26
Edwards 29.5 since 2006, Ware 72
Hall 57 sacks since 2000, since 2005 34
Smith 65 since 2001, since 2005 37
Suggs 68.5 since 2003, since 2005 46

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think people forget Ware is only 28...

27-29 is when players hit peak physical maturity.

That said, Jared Allen is only a year older at 29.

Freeney 31, Harrison 33.

Ware has at least 4+ years to continue to complete at the level he is competing at now.

 

[TheCount]

27-29 is when players hit peak physical maturity.

That said, Jared Allen is only a year older at 29.

Freeney 31, Harrison 33.

Ware has at least 4+ years to continue to complete at the level he is competing at now.

Sad to think we may be in Ware's best years right now, I really hope the guy gets a ring with the Cowboys. Nothing would please me more than to have him retire a Cowboy with a ring or two under his belt.

 

[DawnOfANewD]

I know sacks are sexy, but Ware should be valued more for being one of the best ALL-AROUND defenders. This one site Profootballfocus.com had him rated as the 4th-best LB'er in terms of run defense. The guy can do it all whereas a lot of those other guys on the most-sacks list are one-dimensional.

 

[Dawgs0916]

Man...my favorite player. We seriously are blessed we have him. An amazing human being as well.

I wouldn't trade him for Peyton, straight up.