DeMarcus Ware in 4-3, Cowboys coach “couldn’t be more excited”
By Mike Dyce
DeMarcus Ware is making the transition from outside linebacker in the 3-4 to defensive end in the 4-3 defense Monte Kiffin is installing. This will allow Ware to focus on one thing and that is getting after the quarterback. He is impressing coaches so much at training camp that coach Rod Marinelli compared Ware to some of the greats he’s coached like Simeon Rice and Julius Peppers.
“He’s special,” Marinelli said, via the Dallas Cowboys website. “I’ve been around special. I’ve had that, and he’s special. Now it’s just a day-to-day grind of fundamentals so we can give him playing as fast as he can play every down. That’s a process right now you go through.”
Julius Peppers has 111.5 career sacks and Simeon Rice retired with 122 sacks, DeMarcus Ware could pass both of them. Julius Peppers is entering his 12th NFL season, DeMarcus ware is entering his 9th NFL season, and despite playing 3 less NFL seasons only half-a-sack separates Ware from Peppers.
While transitioning to a new scheme is difficult, when it clicks, it is incredible to watch.
“Then when it hits, oh man, now you’re using these men’s abilities,” Marinelli said. “Same with (Anthony) Spencer, we’ll be using his ability. It’s all drill work, it’s keys, it’s run and pass keys. The best way to describe it, tedious repetitions of the simplest, simplest movements, over and over so we develop the habits you need to play this game. If a man always has a foundation to stand on, the ups and downs in a game, you go back to your fundamentals.”
Once those fundamentals get locked in, DeMarcus Ware has a lot of room to get better.
“I’ve had Simeon Rice and Julius Peppers and guys that came into this system, and this guy’s really a rock,” Marinelli said. “This guy’s a special pass rusher, bright. I couldn’t be more excited, and with Spence, really excited about those guys.”