DeMarcus Ware says the new defense under Kiffin will make him, Cowboys more effective

[Midswat]

It was a simple enough question to DeMarcus Ware considering the changes the Cowboys made on defense, starting the hiring of 73-year old Monte Kiffin to replace Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator.

"When you have guy that comes in the age sometimes doesn't matter its the rebirth of having new guys, a new team and teaching you philosophy," Ware said. "With him coming in and teaching us a different deal, it fees like he has a new birth. So the age is not a problem. It's us learning what we need to do and doing it effectively."


Basically, for Ware, it's not about Kiffin it's about him and rest of his teammates picking up the new defense and getting it down. Kiffin and new defensive tackle coach Rod Marinelli have nothing to prove as they already have skins on the wall from their manyyears in the league and their success together in leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in 2002.


"They are really really great coaches and have the heritage of playing the Tampa Two, playing different coverages, having great pass rush and guys that get pressure and get turnovers," Ware said. "That's what this defensive is predicated on. We had 16 turnovers last year and each team they have in the past have consistently gotten 35 to 40 turnovers. We are trying to get that."

Ware said he's excited about the new defense because its simple and it allows the players to be more aggressive. He said the Cowboys are already seeing a difference in practices now.


"I'm real excited with the way that we are playing," Ware said. "Guy aren't thinking so much. They aren't a lot of mistakes. When we go through each day there is a chart we go through on how many mistakes we made, how many turnovers, how many missed plays. There aren't a lot of missed plays and lot of errors. we are making more plays and getting more turnovers. I think that is what we needed."

It also may be what Ware needed after an injury-plagued season of a year ago when only 2.5 of his 11.5 sacks came in the last eight games of the season.

The new defense taking the thinking about of the equation for Ware as gets to do what he does best all the time: rush the quarterback.

Ware, who will be 31 when the season starts, said it's a rejuvenating proposition for an aging pass rusher as he moves from linebacker in the 3-4 to defensive end.

"I think so," Ware said. "I just think the terminology of the mind in the 3-4 you had to think a lot. Now I don't have to think about who I have to cover. It's about being aggressive and getting to the quarterback. That makes more you effective, give you more opportunities."


So getting more opportunities and being more effective should result in Ware making another run at the NFL single season sack record of 22.5 and regaining the title of the league's best pass rusher from San Francisco's Aldon Smith and Denver's Von Miller. Ware had 20 in 2008 and 19.5 in 2011. He has also won two single season sack titles.

"I don't know about that, it should just help me be more effective and get to the quarterback," Ware said with a smile and wink.

"I haven't gone any where," Ware added.

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.co...him-cowboys-more-effective.html#storylink=cpy

 

[boozeman]

Blah blah blah. He said the same thing about Fat Rob's D being all kick ass.

 

[Jon88]

The players always have good things to say about new coaches coming in.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

No complaints at all about the change... If nothing else we know Kiffin and Marinelli know what they're doing.

One thing I do wonder about is if Ware and Spencer might get worn down. Nate Newton thinks it will make a difference and Ware in particular is going to feel it later in games and later in the season. Not saying he can't do it because we've seen plenty of small DEs work, but to act like it's not a factor at all could be wishful thinking.

 

[Jon88]

Nate Newton needs to go back to being fat. He looks wierd now.

<------- He reminds me of that guy

 

[boozeman]

No complaints at all about the change... If nothing else we know Kiffin and Marinelli know what they're doing.

One thing I do wonder about is if Ware and Spencer might get worn down. Nate Newton thinks it will make a difference and Ware in particular is going to feel it later in games and later in the season. Not saying he can't do it because we've seen plenty of small DEs work, but to act like it's not a factor at all could be wishful thinking.

That is a concern I have about the pair of them. That and the fact the depth behind them sucks.

If they don't hold up I see teams being able to easily run on us.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

The depth I do think is a real issue. Not buying this line from the team that Wilber is some great find.

I do think our starters will be fine, but if and when we get some injuries, that's when I think we'll see that this change takes more than one year.

 

[Jon88]

In a year everyone might get fired and we could go back to the 3-4.

It depends on who Jerry talks to in the offseason.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

I don't think so. Jerry said we were staying in this for a while. I think he already has someone in mind for next time and it's either a 43 coach or it's an offensive-minded guy who doesn't particularly care about the scheme and is fine with either as long as he has good coaches.

 

[Jon88]

I don't believe a word he says.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

It's more believable when you consider the contracts he just gave Kiffin and Marinelli. Jerry hates paying coaches, especially to sit at home.

 

[dbair1967]

That is a concern I have about the pair of them. That and the fact the depth behind them sucks.

If they don't hold up I see teams being able to easily run on us.

You dont know that the depth behind them sucks. You are assuming it does because its unproven.

But Crawford looked like he belonged last yr, and the reviews this offseason on Wilbur have been positive. Marinellis is also as good a DL coach as there is.

 

[Angrymesscan]

let's hope they give Ware and Spencer more rest during the games

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I don't think so. Jerry said we were staying in this for a while. I think he already has someone in mind for next time and it's either a 43 coach or it's an offensive-minded guy who doesn't particularly care about the scheme and is fine with either as long as he has good coaches.

Then I hope he devotes more resources to the line than he did OLBs when we were running the 3-4.

 

[ravidubey]

In a year everyone might get fired and we could go back to the 3-4.

It depends on who Jerry talks to in the offseason.

The read-option destroyed 3-4 defenses last year. It puts pressure on the 3-4 OLB's and keeps them out of the backfield by making them hesitate.

The same player in a 4-3 penetrates and disrupts while the linebacker and safeties flow to the ball and make the tackle. I like Ware penetrating and disrupting plays more than playing in space deciding which player to tackle (and with coverage responsibilities to boot).

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

They're just going to read the end instead of the OLB. I don't see what difference it makes.

 

[Texas Ace]

Yea, sure it will.

 

[lons]

Last year, Ryan's D made Ware look off balance, out of shape, lacking in every dept. RGIII made him his bitch. So anything is an improvement honestly.

 

[peplaw06]

The read-option destroyed 3-4 defenses last year. It puts pressure on the 3-4 OLB's and keeps them out of the backfield by making them hesitate.

The same player in a 4-3 penetrates and disrupts while the linebacker and safeties flow to the ball and make the tackle. I like Ware penetrating and disrupting plays more than playing in space deciding which player to tackle (and with coverage responsibilities to boot).

Great point.

They're just going to read the end instead of the OLB. I don't see what difference it makes.

You're focusing on the offense's reads.

IMO the best way to beat the read-option has always been dictate to the offense with your defense and make the QB get rid of the ball. With a 3-4, all you have to combat the option is the OLB, because the DE is just trying to stand his ground and hold the point against the run, or stretch the play out wide. In the 4-3, if your DE is penetrating, he's dictating to the tackle and putting immediate pressure on the QB in the option. The play side OLB can flow to the back to cover the pitch.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

But most college defenses run a 43, and the option looks have been successful against them for years. It's only the last couple of years that any significant number of college Ds have run the 34 at all, and it's still not that many. The unblocked and read man is still going to be Ware whether he's a 34 OLB or 43 DE.

I mean, the Giants run the 43 and RG3 destroyed them last year. Or look at what Oregon did to Kiffin last year. :/

Sure, the best way to defeat the option is to get penetration... But that's true of pretty much any offense.

Honestly, although I like the option because it adds a new wrinkle to the NFL, I don't expect it to last that long anyway.