DeMarcus Ware Should Be Early Favorite For DPOY

I often bristle at early proclamations about who should win the various awards the NFL hands at at year's end. After all, the NFL is a fickle league where early season play can be an aberration and the injury bug can strike at any time. So, I write this somewhat begrudgingly but do so simply because after two games the level of dominance this player has shown needs to be pointed out.

Of course I'm speaking of DeMarcus Ware.

After two games he leads the NFL in sacks with 4 and is second in the league with 5 QB hits. Of course, he's paid to do those things and is well known for his ability to create pressure on the QB. If this was all he was doing, I wouldn't feel the need to even write this piece.

The fact is, he's doing more than just harassing the opposing passer. He's snuffing out screen plays (against the 'Niners it was his correct read on a screen that enabled Jay Ratliff to get a key sack). He's stonewalling OT's and TE's at the point of attack and turning running plays back to the inside (Fox highlighted one such play yesterday where he took on a double team from the OT and the TE to contain the edge that allowed Anthony Spencer to get a tackle in pursuit from the backside). He's dropping into coverage and using his massive frame and long arms to disrupt passing angles.

Even more than the production and the stats he's producing, though, is the fact that he's doing these things from all over the field and showing advanced technique that make his already fantastic skill set even more lethal. No longer is Ware simply relying on his speed rush to the outside or a power bull rush when blockers try to beat him to a spot. He's now nearly mastered an inside counter to beat blockers that try to cheat his speed. He's showing elite hand usage that ensures blockers rarely get a clean hold on him when he's rushing the passer or battling for position on run plays. He's also correctly reading misdirection plays and not over pursuing to still be a factor when teams try to take advantage of his aggression (like his second sack on Alex Smith where he sniffed out a naked bootleg).

Basically, Ware is only continuing to grow as a player - and considering where he was before this season that's a scary proposition for opposing offenses. If there's a more complete defensive player, I've yet to see him this season and beyond the total package of skill he's bringing the production too.

As an aside, much credit for the level Ware is playing at should go to Rob Ryan. He's utilizing Ware like a master chess player does his Queen by moving him all over the field and never giving the offense the same look. And not only is he moving Ware from one side of the field to the other (and sometimes in the middle of the line) but he's ensuring that he's able to rush against TE's and RB's rather than consistently going up against tackles. This has kept Ware fresher as the game goes along and it's shown in his late game production.

Production that, if maintained, should earn him the DPOY award.