Coach challenges DeMarcus Ware with a cigar
By Mike Dyce
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware is in the pass rusher equivalent of a slump. In the past 9 games he has 2.5 total sacks, including failing to get a sack in the season opener against the New York Giants.
Cowboys defensive line coach Rod Marinelli decided to have a little fun and taped a cigar in Ware’s locker with the following message: “Close but no cigar,” and was signed, “Your loving coach.”
It seems to be working, Ware sounds especially motivated now.
“I’ve got to figure out some way to get him to take that cigar out of my locker,” Ware said, via the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.
Earlier this offseason DeMarcus Ware said he wasn’t worried about the transition from outside linebacker in the 3-4 to defensive end in Monte Kiffin’s Tampa 2 scheme which runs out of a 4-3 formation.
Ware came close though, he had six pressures and did intercept a pass from Eli Manning.
“It feels different not having a sack, but I had [six] pressures last game,” Ware said. “I hit him probably about four times if you really want to talk about that. With me, it’s all about getting even more pressure, getting there a little bit faster. We got there, but me, consistently, I’ve got to get there a little bit better.”
He’ll get another chance against Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs in the second week of the NFL season. That might not be such an easy task. In the season opener he was only sacked once, of course they were playing the Jacksonville Jaguars.