Tag: Demarcus Ware

Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware explains Dak Prescott’s uptick in INTs (and how to fix it)

DeMarcus Ware explains Dak Prescott’s uptick in INTs.

Dak Prescott’s interceptions have gone from hot take red meat to the number one issue and talking point ahead of the Cowboys wild card matchup against Tampa Bay. 

While many, like Fox Sports’ David Helman and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, have pointed out that it’s not in Prescott’s DNA to turn the ball over in the grand arch of his career, this year it’s clearly been a problem. 

In an interview with Sports Seriously, Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware shared why we’ve seen an uptick in Prescott’s interceptions:

“The mentality of how Dak is thinking now is I have to carry everybody on my back. I have to try to make plays,” said Ware to Sports Seriously. “I have to sort of  try to string plays out and hit in these really small holes when guys are getting double teamed instead of just playing the management game.” 

Ware believes Prescott can at times play like he’s ‘over correcting’ for teammates’ miscues and is pressing to make the big play, rather than playing within the system.

So of course the question becomes how can this be fixed? 

Ware believes there’s two solutions: Establish the run and remind Prescott to let his playmakers take some of the pressure off of him. 

“If we can get back into Cowboys football, that’s when Dak sort of blossoms and you get to see how he really plays football,” said Ware. “Feed Zeke, Feed CeeDee, feed the guys that are around you to take the pressure off of you. 

You are the name that gets on a pedestal for the Dallas Cowboys, but the only way that happens if you take the pressure off yourself and put it on everybody else, put that ball in everybody else’s hands and let them be the show pony for you.” 

 

‘Watered down’: Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware agrees with Mike Evans on Dallas having ‘simple’ defense

Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware agrees Dallas having ‘simple’ defense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans struck a chord with Cowboys Twitter this week when he said Dallas runs a ‘simple’ game plan. One Cowboys legend agrees with that statement. 

In an interview with Sports Seriously, DeMarcus Ware shared what he thinks other team’s are seeing in the Cowboys defensive game plan and how they’ve been able to negate their once dominant pass rush: 

“The [pass rush] package has been watered down. I don’t see a lot of the plays that they ran early,” said Ware to Sports Seriously. “When you first start the season, you start doing all these NASCAR, crazy packages and you see it become really effective and then you get comfortable. 

You get comfortable with ‘alright, well then we’re just going to put guys here and say we’re going to beat you.’ Yes, we can do that. But that’s when the offenses can scheme and say ‘we’re going to double team Micah and slide to DeMarcus Lawrence.”

The numbers back that up, through their first 12 games of the season Dallas was averaging four sacks a game, which was tops in the NFL. In the last 5, that average has dipped to just over one sack a game. 

“I think we gotta get back to being dynamic. You got a lot of dynamic players on that defense. Don’t water it down, let those guys go out and do what they need to do,” said Ware. “Yes, big plays will be given up, but the big plays will happen [on defense too], so Dak can score those points.” 

Ware also said the Cowboys locker room, and defensive players in particular, definitely took notice of Evan’s ‘simple’ comments. 

Speaker McCarthy weighs in on upcoming vote; topics in house address

From the HoF to being open and honest about the fragility of NFL careers in response to Damar Hamlin’s injury.. words from Ware, Woodson, McCarthy and Prescott. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys are headed to Washington this week. While the nation pops their popcorn and settles in as political theatre plays out in the nation’s capital over the Speaker of the House vote, Thursday was another day of preparation for head coach Mike McCarthy and his team ahead of their Week 18 tilt against the Commanders.

McCarthy was among several press conferences speakers at The Star in Frisco, the house, err home of the Cowboys. Also appearing on Thursday were DeMarcus Ware and Darren Woodson, two of the 15 finalists for February’s vote for Hall of Fame induction. Here are some of the top quotes from everyone’s time behind the microphone.

Pro Football Hall of Fame: 15 modern-era finalists for 2023 class revealed

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its 15 modern-era finalists for the 2023 class.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its 15 modern-era finalists Wednesday evening.

The finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, a process that started out with 129 nominees. That group was narrowed down to 28 semifinalists in November.

Along with the modern-era finalists, the three senior finalists are Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, and Ken Riley. Don Coryell is the coach/contributor finalist.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023 will be announced during the NFL Honors at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Feb. 9 on NBC, Peacock (streaming), and NFL Network. The inductees would be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 5.

Cowboys DeMarcus Ware, Darren Woodson named Hall of Fame finalists

Woodson is a finalist for the first time after six times as a semifinalist. Ware made it all the way to the final vote last year. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Cowboys legends DeMarcus Ware, Chuck Howley, and- yes- Darren Woodson have taken a big step closer to Canton.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its finalists for enshrinement as part of the Class of 2023 on Wednesday night. The list of modern-day players includes Ware, who most feel should have been a shoo-in last year, and Woodson, who finally advances beyond the semifinalist stage for the first time after six previous tries.

Woodson is the Cowboys’ all-time leading tackler, a five-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and was just the 21st member of the Cowboys’ prestigious Ring of Honor.

Ware is a finalist for the second year in a row. After nine seasons in Dallas, seven straight pro Bowl appearances, and four first-team All-Pro nods, Ware played four more years as a Bronco and won a Super Bowl ring for the 2015 season.

He is the franchise leader in sacks, even factoring in those recorded by players before 1982, when the statistic was officially charted for the first time.

Linebacker Zach Thomas, the Texas Tech star who came home to the Cowboys for the 2008 campaign after a long career with Miami, was also named a Class of 2023 finalist.

This year’s 15 finalists will be discussed at length by the Hall’s 49-person selection committee, who will narrow the list down to 10, then five. Those remaining finalists are then voted on for induction, each on a yes-no basis, with an 80% “yes” vote required.

Chuck Howley was also named Wednesday as a senior finalist, advancing from a group of 12. He earned six Pro Bowl nods over 13 seasons and helped the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl. But perhaps the biggest claim to fame of his career came in Super Bowl V, when he became the only man to win the game’s MVP honors despite playing for the losing team.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be revealed during Super Bowl week.

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Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware named finalist for Hall of Fame

Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware is now one step closer to the Hall of Fame! 👏👏👏

Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware is among 15 modern-era finalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

After totaling a franchise-record 117 sacks in nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Ware signed with the Broncos in 2014. He recorded 21.5 sacks in three seasons (37) games in Denver, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2014 and 2015. Ware will be remembered by most NFL fans as a Cowboy, but he was a key member of the “No Fly Zone” defense that led the Broncos to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

That Super Bowl victory was the finishing touch to Ware’s Hall of Fame resume.

Ware is the Broncos’ only finalist for the Hall of Fame this year — former linebacker Randy Gradishar was snubbed as a senior candidate, and Mike Shanahan and the late Dan Reeves were snubbed as coach candidates.

Ware will serve as the NFC’s defensive coordinator for the Pro Bowl on Feb. 5. Less than a week later, the league will announce the 2023 Hall of Fame class during “NFL Honors” on Thursday, Feb. 9.

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Ex-Broncos OLB Demarcus Ware will help coach at the Pro Bowl

In addition to Peyton Manning, the Pro Bowl coaching staff will also feature Demarcus Ware, a fellow #SB50 champion with the #Broncos.

Two former Denver Broncos players will be part of the coaching staffs for the newly-revamped 2023 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced this week.

The league previously announced Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) as the head coaches for the new flag football Pro Bowl game, and we now know who will be on their coaching staffs.

Peyton’s staff will include Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis as defensive coordinator, and Dana Flores, quarterback of the 2022 Mexico Women’s Flag Football gold medal team at the World Games.

Eli’s staff will feature Super Bowl 50 champion Demarcus Ware as the defensive coordinator and also includes Vanita Krouch, USA Woman’s Flag National Team quarterback during the 2022 World Games.

In September 2022, the NFL announced that “The Pro Bowl Games,” centered around flag football, would replace the tackle game that has been played since 1951. Over the years, changes have been made to the game, including a draft-type format from 2014-17, and an emphasis on player safety.

In recent years, the Pro Bowl has been criticized for being an unwatchable game, due to the players going at half-speed. The NFL’s hope is that the new “Pro Bowl Games” format will increase viewership and promote the future of football.

Eli, Peyton, Lewis and Ware have 39 Pro Bowl selections, seven Super Bowl rings and two gold jackets between them.

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Cowboys legends DeMarcus Ware, Darren Woodson named Hall of Fame semifinalists

The two longtime Cowboys are among 28 semifinalists for Canton’s Class of 2023, along with Zach Thomas, who spent a year with the Cowboys. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Two longtime Cowboys icons are among the 28 modern-day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023, it was announced this week.

Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and safety Darren Woodson advance to the next round, as does linebacker Zach Thomas, who spent his final NFL season in Dallas.

Ware makes the list of semifinalists for his second straight year. The Cowboys’ all-time sackmaster became eligible for enshrinement last year and made it all the way to the final vote. Despite being considered a shoo-in, he was denied the honor of being named a first-ballot Hall of Famer in a snub that shocked many fans.

After nine seasons in Dallas, seven straight pro Bowl appearances, and four first-team All-Pro nods, Ware signed with Denver. He played four more years as a Bronco and won a Super Bowl ring for the 2015 season.

Woodson knows this part of the journey to Canton quite well. He’s been a semifinalist six times but has never advanced to the next stage. This, despite being the franchise’s all-time leading tackler, a five-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and just the 21st member of the Cowboys’ prestigious Ring of Honor.

Thomas didn’t wear the star for long, but was well-known to Dallas fans after a stellar college career at Texas Tech. He was a mainstay for 13 seasons in Miami before joining the Cowboys for the 2008 campaign. It proved to be his finale, as he suffered a concussion in training camp with the Chiefs the following year and was released shortly thereafter.

Fifteen Hall of Fame finalists will be revealed in January.

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Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware named semifinalist for Hall of Fame

Congrats to Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware for being named a semifinalist for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class! 👏👏👏

Former Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has been named a semifinalist for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame, the league announced Tuesday.

Ware spent the first nine years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, totaling a franchise-record 117 sacks. He then spent the final three years of his career with the Broncos, totaling 21.5 sacks in 37 games. Ware was a key member of Denver’s “No Fly Zone” defense that led the team to a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers following the 2015 season.

A nine-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro, Ware ranks ninth on the NFL’s all-time sack list with 138.5.

Former Broncos wide receivers Rod Smith and Wes Welker, offensive linemen Tom Nalen and guard Mark Schlereth, defensive linemen Neil Smith and Simeon Rice, linebackers Al Wilson and Seth Joyner, cornerback Dre’ Bly and kicker Jason Elam were also nominated for the 2023 class in September but did not make the list of finalists.

Additionally, former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was snubbed as a senior candidate this year, as were Mike Shanahan and the late Dan Reeves as coach candidates.

Ware is a strong candidate to reach Canton in the 2023 class and while most remember him for his time with the Cowboys, fans in Denver know how important the pass rusher was on the team’s Super Bowl 50 defense.

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DeMarcus Ware among ex-Broncos nominated for 2023 Hall of Fame class

After being snubbed last year, Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware should be a favorite to reach the Hall of Fame this year.

After being snubbed by voters in his first year of eligibility in 2021, Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware has once again been nominated as a modern-era candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ware is among 11 former Broncos who were nominated this week, the Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. Five players who won back-to-back Super Bowls with Denver in the late 1990s headline the list: wide receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, kicker Jason Elam, guard Mark Schlereth and defensive lineman Neil Smith.

Some of those players had longer tenures with the Broncos than Ware, but he is arguably the team’s most accomplished candidate, and he’s probably the most likely to reach the Hall of Fame first.

Denver also had former linebackers Al Wilson and Seth Joyner, wide receiver Wes Welker, defensive lineman Simeon Rice and cornerback Dre’ Bly nominated for the 2023 Hall of Fame class.

Former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was snubbed as a senior candidate this year, as were Mike Shanahan and the late Dan Reeves as coach candidates. Denver hasn’t gotten the love it deserves from Hall of Fame voters historically, but Ware should be a strong candidate for the 2023 class.

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