Play Ware at OLB....in the 4-3

[tm1119]

Seattle does it with Irvin
Denver does it with Miller
Cincinnati does it with Harrison

I really think this is the best way to still use Ware to his fullest potential and prolong whatever he has left in the tank. We would need a big 280+ lb DE to go with him on the strong side, but we may already have that player in Crawford. Switching to a more hybrid front 7 should have been done in the 1st place imo to make the transition from 3-4 to 4-3 a whole easier.

 

[noshame]

You think Ware can cover on a regular basis?

 

[perrykemp]

Ware can't play in space to the level required by a 4-3 OLB.

When I think of 4-3 OLBs, I think of the Lance Briggs of the worlds who could cover TEs, stop the run, and only occasionally go after the passer.

 

[Future]

All three are better athletes, and all three have their hand in the ground when they go nickel, which the Cowboys do almost half the time anyways.

The whole Ware positional thing is completely blown out of proportion. Heck, there are still plays where he rushes without putting his hand down.

Maybe its injuries, who knows, but the guy just couldn't beat anybody this year, scheme wouldn't matter.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Ware would be misplaced as a 4-3 OLB.

In addition I have doubts that Ware will even be a Cowboy in '14.

 

[Crown Royal]

Outside of coverage changes, there were many, many times when our 4-3 over was functionally exactly the same as our 3-4 packages from 2012. The only difference was ware would have his hand on the ground a bit more.

 

[Star Guard_31]

Seattle does it with Irvin
Denver does it with Miller
Cincinnati does it with Harrison

I really think this is the best way to still use Ware to his fullest potential and prolong whatever he has left in the tank. We would need a big 280+ lb DE to go with him on the strong side, but we may already have that player in Crawford. Switching to a more hybrid front 7 should have been done in the 1st place imo to make the transition from 3-4 to 4-3 a whole easier.

In addition to the examples you listed, the Giants also play Mathias Kiwanuka at OLB, and the Commanders did it with Brian Orakpo his rookie year before transitioning to the 3-4 under Jim Haslett the following year. There's plenty of precedent here to suggest it could work. I'd be all for it if the other option is for Ware to continue playing as a down lineman, where he clearly cannot hold up the the rigors of the position at this stage of his career.

 

[xwalker]

Seattle does it with Irvin
Denver does it with Miller
Cincinnati does it with Harrison

I really think this is the best way to still use Ware to his fullest potential and prolong whatever he has left in the tank. We would need a big 280+ lb DE to go with him on the strong side, but we may already have that player in Crawford. Switching to a more hybrid front 7 should have been done in the 1st place imo to make the transition from 3-4 to 4-3 a whole easier.

It's not that Ware couldn't do it, but he is too expensive to make it a good idea. You could sign a true 4-3 LB for much less than Ware makes and that player could be much younger and not a project in pass coverage.

Also, his best spot would be the Strong Side, but that player is off the field in the nickel which is about half of the snaps.

 

[tm1119]

You think Ware can cover on a regular basis?

He wouldn't be asked to aside from an occasional drop back into a zone. OLB's in the 4-3 scheme run by teams like Cinci, Seattle, Denver don't operate like a traditional 4-3 at all.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/10/1/4787546/the-seahawks-and-multiple-defensive-fronts

That's a pretty good read talking about the "LEO" position for Seattle and how it works. Obviously we don't have nearly the talent that Seattle does, but I really think it would be best case scenario for what we do have on defense.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/1/19/3890928/gus-bradley-defense-leo-position

Another good read since it seems like most of you aren't on the same page as me when I say move Ware to OLB in the 4-3. Not the same position that anybody played on our team this year at all

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Also, his best spot would be the Strong Side, but that player is off the field in the nickel which is about half of the snaps.

And you move him to DE in the Nickel. Think Peter Boulware on the 00' Baltimore defense.

 

[xwalker]

And you move him to DE in the Nickel. Think Peter Boulware on the 00' Baltimore defense.

The problems is that he couldn't even beat TEs this season.

 

[tm1119]

The problems is that he couldn't even beat TEs this season.

1st, that's an extreme exaggeration. 2nd, he clearly looked like a different player after the injury. I know it sounds like excuse making and everybody is hurt in the NFL, but he was off to a darn good start before he was a walking injury. He had a very serious leg injury and a bad elbow he apparently couldn't extend properly. Take away any pass rushers ability to drive with their legs and fight with their hands and its going to be rough.

Is he ever going to be the dominant 15+ sack guy he was 3-4 years ago? Probably not, but you are talking like he's some washed up 38 year old who hasn't produced in years. His contract definitely needs to be amended to help the team, but there is definitely still room for Demarcus Ware on this team and every other team

 

[lostar2009]

You think Ware can cover on a regular basis?

He cover some as a 3-4, and we can always rush him.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

I've had this in mind but only way this happens I think is if we get a new DC if not this defense is staying his way, all this teams use a big type DE like you said a Crawford maybe ala Red Bryant which is a big body coming in and you have your best pass rusher coming in behind you, I mean doesn't mean we change him full time OLB but I mean in situations why not bring it and let him get in there it be like what he did early in his career in a 3-4, so that about covering was also the issue when we played that defense so there's pros and cons too it as well.

 

[xwalker]

1st, that's an extreme exaggeration. 2nd, he clearly looked like a different player after the injury. I know it sounds like excuse making and everybody is hurt in the NFL, but he was off to a darn good start before he was a walking injury. He had a very serious leg injury and a bad elbow he apparently couldn't extend properly. Take away any pass rushers ability to drive with their legs and fight with their hands and its going to be rough.

Is he ever going to be the dominant 15+ sack guy he was 3-4 years ago? Probably not, but you are talking like he's some washed up 38 year old who hasn't produced in years. His contract definitely needs to be amended to help the team, but there is definitely still room for Demarcus Ware on this team and every other team

He really did get shut down by TEs at times this season.

If he would take a pay cut from 12M to 4M it would be a different story, but he would want to test the market before agreeing to the pay cut.

I'm sure he has some value to a team, but you could get the top healthy YOUNG free agent for the same or lower salary.