clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

DeMarcus Ware Makes The Media Rounds; Claims He's Close To Full Health

DeMarcus Ware has been talking to plenty of media lately, let's check in on the conversation.

By Dave Halprin
Mark Thompson

Over the past few days DeMarcus Ware has been doing a couple of company promotions. Along with that always comes a round of media interviews. So what's up with the defensive sack master?

First off, Ware thinks he's close to full health and that a little bit of hitting will fix him right up. Ware is coming of an injury-plagued season although he participated in every game. Yesterday I wrote about the medical miracle that is Jason Witten, well, let's not forget that DeMarcus Ware has played in every game that he's been with the Cowboys. That's 128 straight games. Nice! Ware on his health:

DeMarcus Ware says he will be ready to go when the Dallas Cowboys open training camp on Sunday. writes Todd Archer. "Just getting out on the field, banging around a little bit, knocking off the rust and maybe sacking the quarterback one time," Ware said. "That'll make myself feel good all over again."

So that's good news. But what about the switch to defensive end in the new 4-3? He gives two slightly contradictory answers to two different interviewers. In the first one, it's no change at all.

SC: DeMarcus, you're moving from a defense that was primarily a 3-4 to a bunch of new 4-3 looks under new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. The lines are kind of blurred in today's NFL because of all the sub packages, but how do you think the differences might change your game?

Ware: I think people are overplaying it. I mean, you're going to have adjustments going from a 3-4 to a 4-3, but there aren't as many moving parts with your linebackers, so it's a little easier playing a 4-3. I'm still playing outside contain and rushing the passer, and now, I'm just putting my hand in the dirt. I mean, there's really no big difference -- there may be for some of the interior guys and the linebackers, but going from outside linebacker to defensive end, you're doing the same thing.

But then, it is a totally different position.

Ware turns 31 on July 31 and is moving from outside linebacker to defensive end as the Cowboys shift to the 4-3 in 2013. "I think it’s another challenge of being effective at a totally different position," Ware said. "They say an outside linebacker is a defensive end just standing up, but it’s not the same because you’ve got different ways the offense wants to sort of attack you. It’s a little simpler now. It’s more man on man, that brute football. It’s not, I’m going to trick the guy and move the guy around to get a matchup. It’s my tackle against your defensive end or my linebacker against your running back. We know who’s blocking who and it’s up to who wants it most."

One thing I do know, he won't be dropping back in coverage anymore. Hooray!

Finally, what does he think of the Cowboys chances this year?

Appearing on ESPN’s "SportsNation" on Monday, Ware predicted more than just a single playoff win for the Cowboys: "You said a playoff win," Ware said, via the Dallas Morning News. "I think deep into the playoffs. That’s how I feel about it. Just winning a game, no."

Hey, he answered OCC's question from yesterday.

More from Blogging The Boys:

More From Blogging The Boys

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Blogging The Boys Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of all your Dallas Cowboys news from Blogging The Boys