The Myth of DeMarcus Ware's dropoff (Warning: contains actual facts)

[Future]

He is not done; he is just not a marquis player.

Same difference.

 

[Brooksey]

Nobody has more unrealistic expectations put on them than pass rushers, especially with our "knowledgeable" fanbase. The #1 player in the league in terms of QB Sacks, Hits, and Hurries is Michael Bennett with 52 of them on 489 snaps. That means 10.6% of his plays he's harassing the quarterback, and the other 89.4% of the time he isn't. So when you see in a game thread someone say "Ware will have one big play and then 9 when he doesn't do anything" people should know that is legitimate elite performance. It might not be what you want to see as an irrational fan, but in comparison to his peers it is a high level of place.

DeMarcus Ware is still in the top ten in terms of Sacks/Hits/Hurries per snap played. Beyond stats he's grading out very favorably as a pass rusher and is amongst the top of the 4-3 ends in terms of run defense. For the more advanced stat crowd, he's 3rd in ProFootballFocus' Pass Rushing Productivity percentage.The film in no way, shape, or form fits the narrative of the message board, as hard as that may be to hear for some people that just want to plug their ears and blame Romo, Witten, and Ware for the current state of this team.

DeMarcus Ware Pass Rushing Productivity Snaps per PFF:
2013: 11.8 (3rd in the league amongst 4-3 DEs)
2012: 11.4 (3rd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2011: 12.9 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2010: 12.7 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2009: 12.3 (2nd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2008: 9.3(4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)

If you want to tell me it's become slightly harder for pass rushers to impact plays on a play-by-play basis because of more spread formations and quicker release times out of quarterbacks you probably have a point. But if you want to say that DeMarcus Ware has dropped off or is not performing at the level of an elite pass rusher in comparison to his peers you are 100% incorrect, and there is truthfully zero argument on the other side.

This makes sense, he had some nice pressures and run stops last night plus the one sack. Sacks are not easy in the NFL, D Ware is not the problem.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Same difference.

No, not quite. He is a compliment player; not a star. Jerry treats him like a star.

 

[Future]

No, not quite. He is a compliment player; not a star.

To me, that's the equivalent of done, especially for a guy who has been the face of the franchise and makes as much as he's done.

 

[Tobal]

I don't question his effort, I get tired of seeing him run 3 yard beyond the QB. He consistently runs to deep trying to get the edge. They will give you the edge once you are several yards beyond the QB's drop. He still has a good bull rush, but he never seems to get the edge anymore.

 

[john van brocklin]

Nobody has more unrealistic expectations put on them than pass rushers, especially with our "knowledgeable" fanbase. The #1 player in the league in terms of QB Sacks, Hits, and Hurries is Michael Bennett with 52 of them on 489 snaps. That means 10.6% of his plays he's harassing the quarterback, and the other 89.4% of the time he isn't. So when you see in a game thread someone say "Ware will have one big play and then 9 when he doesn't do anything" people should know that is legitimate elite performance. It might not be what you want to see as an irrational fan, but in comparison to his peers it is a high level of place.

DeMarcus Ware is still in the top ten in terms of Sacks/Hits/Hurries per snap played. Beyond stats he's grading out very favorably as a pass rusher and is amongst the top of the 4-3 ends in terms of run defense. For the more advanced stat crowd, he's 3rd in ProFootballFocus' Pass Rushing Productivity percentage.The film in no way, shape, or form fits the narrative of the message board, as hard as that may be to hear for some people that just want to plug their ears and blame Romo, Witten, and Ware for the current state of this team.

DeMarcus Ware Pass Rushing Productivity Snaps per PFF:
2013: 11.8 (3rd in the league amongst 4-3 DEs)
2012: 11.4 (3rd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2011: 12.9 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2010: 12.7 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2009: 12.3 (2nd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2008: 9.3(4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)

If you want to tell me it's become slightly harder for pass rushers to impact plays on a play-by-play basis because of more spread formations and quicker release times out of quarterbacks you probably have a point. But if you want to say that DeMarcus Ware has dropped off or is not performing at the level of an elite pass rusher in comparison to his peers you are 100% incorrect, and there is truthfully zero argument on the other side.

I really appreciate what D. Ware has given the Cowboy's and their fans during his career.
Having said that, there is no way he is playing to a level the supports the 12 M a year that he is making.
We are in bad cap shape and he needs to go this offseason, or take a reduced salary ie Doug Free.

 

[CyberB0b]

It's the same story every year. There is no interior pass rush, so opposing QBs can step straight up in the pocket and get rid of it. He was getting pressure all night, but no one else was.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Ware is not what I would call a 'timely' sack producer. He gets his numbers and will look awe-inspiring to some future cowboy fan who never watched him play. But I never got the sense he was a game changer like Haley. I will remember him more for being a gentleman on/off the field than a fierce competitor who elevated his game in critical situations.

Are you sure you have watched Demarcus Ware play football?

 

[xwalker]

Nobody has more unrealistic expectations put on them than pass rushers, especially with our "knowledgeable" fanbase. The #1 player in the league in terms of QB Sacks, Hits, and Hurries is Michael Bennett with 52 of them on 489 snaps. That means 10.6% of his plays he's harassing the quarterback, and the other 89.4% of the time he isn't. So when you see in a game thread someone say "Ware will have one big play and then 9 when he doesn't do anything" people should know that is legitimate elite performance. It might not be what you want to see as an irrational fan, but in comparison to his peers it is a high level of place.

DeMarcus Ware is still in the top ten in terms of Sacks/Hits/Hurries per snap played. Beyond stats he's grading out very favorably as a pass rusher and is amongst the top of the 4-3 ends in terms of run defense. For the more advanced stat crowd, he's 3rd in ProFootballFocus' Pass Rushing Productivity percentage.The film in no way, shape, or form fits the narrative of the message board, as hard as that may be to hear for some people that just want to plug their ears and blame Romo, Witten, and Ware for the current state of this team.

DeMarcus Ware Pass Rushing Productivity Snaps per PFF:
2013: 11.8 (3rd in the league amongst 4-3 DEs)
2012: 11.4 (3rd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2011: 12.9 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2010: 12.7 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2009: 12.3 (2nd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2008: 9.3(4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)

If you want to tell me it's become slightly harder for pass rushers to impact plays on a play-by-play basis because of more spread formations and quicker release times out of quarterbacks you probably have a point. But if you want to say that DeMarcus Ware has dropped off or is not performing at the level of an elite pass rusher in comparison to his peers you are 100% incorrect, and there is truthfully zero argument on the other side.

PFF has repeatedly been shown to be worthless.

 

[ufcrules1]

They must be pretty lax on what they consider pressuring the QB. He is an absolute non-factor out there anymore outside of the name on his jersey.

Oh no... The STATS say otherwise.

 

[Nation]

PFF has repeatedly been shown to be worthless.

These are tally's of NFL game statistics, not their "that play gets a -1.0" style grading

 

[Fritsch_the_cat]

I don't question his effort, I get tired of seeing him run 3 yard beyond the QB. He consistently runs to deep trying to get the edge. They will give you the edge once you are several yards beyond the QB's drop. He still has a good bull rush, but he never seems to get the edge anymore.

One of the benefits of a speed rusher like DWare is not necessarily getting a sack, it is disruption, forcing a QB to step up before he wants to, which enables other linemen to get a sack or a hurry. DWare can still do that, he is still getting off the line very quick, but there is no one else to make a play once he does his job.

 

[LatinMind]

Nobody has more unrealistic expectations put on them than pass rushers, especially with our "knowledgeable" fanbase. The #1 player in the league in terms of QB Sacks, Hits, and Hurries is Michael Bennett with 52 of them on 489 snaps. That means 10.6% of his plays he's harassing the quarterback, and the other 89.4% of the time he isn't. So when you see in a game thread someone say "Ware will have one big play and then 9 when he doesn't do anything" people should know that is legitimate elite performance. It might not be what you want to see as an irrational fan, but in comparison to his peers it is a high level of place.

DeMarcus Ware is still in the top ten in terms of Sacks/Hits/Hurries per snap played. Beyond stats he's grading out very favorably as a pass rusher and is amongst the top of the 4-3 ends in terms of run defense. For the more advanced stat crowd, he's 3rd in ProFootballFocus' Pass Rushing Productivity percentage.The film in no way, shape, or form fits the narrative of the message board, as hard as that may be to hear for some people that just want to plug their ears and blame Romo, Witten, and Ware for the current state of this team.

DeMarcus Ware Pass Rushing Productivity Snaps per PFF:
2013: 11.8 (3rd in the league amongst 4-3 DEs)
2012: 11.4 (3rd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2011: 12.9 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2010: 12.7 (4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2009: 12.3 (2nd in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)
2008: 9.3(4th in the league amongst 3-4 OLBs)

If you want to tell me it's become slightly harder for pass rushers to impact plays on a play-by-play basis because of more spread formations and quicker release times out of quarterbacks you probably have a point. But if you want to say that DeMarcus Ware has dropped off or is not performing at the level of an elite pass rusher in comparison to his peers you are 100% incorrect, and there is truthfully zero argument on the other side.

Really going to say Ware is the 3rd most productive DE in the nfl on pass rushing downs?

 

[khiladi]

Demarcus Ware has been playing like absolute garbage. The guy can't even beat tight-ends as of late...

 

[khiladi]

Spencer was by far, better than Ware, when he was playing, last year...

 

[khiladi]

He is not done; he is just not a marquis player. I've been saying this for a few years, now.

Jerry has been under this illusion that the Cowboys defense has the great D-Ware and he has not tried to reload the d-line with more blue-chip talent. One day he is going to wake up and Ware is rushing the passer in his Rascal scooter and he (Jerry) will be left wondering what happened.

I have no idea what a Rascal Scooter is, but I busted out laughing cause it sounds hilarious...

 

[khiladi]

We ran for over 200 yards last night, thus our offense was explosive and Denver like... That's what this defense of Ware sounds like.

 

[85Cowboy85]

I agree with the original poster. Demarcus Ware may no longer be a 20 sack a year guy but he is far from done. Still has a ton of influence on the game.

 

[kramskoi]

He was doubled every play. At least he had a couple of pressures.

Couple of pressures? I couldn't tell and don't imagine McCown could either.

 

[kramskoi]

This makes sense, he had some nice pressures and run stops last night plus the one sack. Sacks are not easy in the NFL, D Ware is not the problem.

A sack in garbage time my friend. His sack rate has fallen and it coincides with his stingers. Since 2011 he has simply fallen off. Do I think he can still serve the Cowboys, likely yes, but his best days are behind him. Austin also has this problem and Lee is developing the same. Chronic injuries and lost time are a sign that it is time to put contingencies into place and soon. He can still be effective but he will need commensurate levels of play along the line...this will help him hold up better, though it is unlikely that the stinger issue will totally resolve.