Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: DeMarcus Ware Plans To Get To The QB Vs. Chiefs

Cowboys DL coach Rod Marinelli to DeMarcus Ware: 'Close but no cigar' - Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas
Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli is keeping it real. Earlier this week, Jason Hatcher explained his own surprise at how tough he had been graded by Marinelli. And Marinelli had no qualms about telling DeMarcus Ware that zero sacks against the Giants wasn't what he was expecting.

However, Marinelli has a sense of humor. In fact, it’s on display in defensive end DeMarcus Ware’s Valley Ranch locker.

A cigar is taped to a piece of paper that was hung in Ware’s locker this week. Marinelli wrote a message that reads, "Close but no cigar," and is signed, "Your loving coach."

Dallas Cowboys DE DeMarcus Ware: I have to get to the quarterback a little faster - Jon Machota, DMN
Ware seems to have taken Marinelli's message to heart:

"It feels different not having a sack, but I had 10 pressures last game," Ware said Thursday. "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 got to get there a little bit better."

Guard Brian Waters will travel to Kansas City, says he will be game time decision - Clarence Hill, Star-Telegram
Waters took some first-team reps in practice yesterday, but whether he plays on Sunday or not will be a game time decision, and even if he plays he'll probably share snaps with Bernadeau, Garrett said.

Dallas Cowboys DE Anthony Spencer takes planned day off from practice, but says, ‘I’m getting ready to play’ Sunday at KC - Brandon George, DMN
The Cowboys Twitterverse nearly collapsed when it turned out Spencer wasn't practicing yesterday - turns out it was planned that way all along.

George Selvie's play allows the Cowboys to be patient with Anthony Spencer's knee injury - Charean Williams, Star-Telegram
Selvie is proving to be more than just a stop-gap until Spencer is back, and might allow the Cowboys to ease Spencer back gradually.

"There’s no way he could go too many plays," Cowboys defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said of Spencer playing on Sunday. "But if he can go now, I’m sure he’s not going to go for like two plays either. I think if he goes, he’ll go hard."

Bryant’s Foot Feels "Great," Ready To Execute Vs. Chiefs - David Helman, DallasCowboys.com
Whether it's a sign of more maturity or simply a sign over a better understanding of the team concept, Bryant is ready to do whatever it takes to win:

"You always want to catch the ball and make the play. But at the same time, we’re trying to win – you’ve got to play smart football. And you’ve just got to be patient," he said. "There will be a time where Miles might get doubled, or Witten might get doubled. Like I said, when your number is called you’ve just got to make the play."

"I promise you, my time’s coming. When it comes, I’m going to take advantage of it."

Dallas WR Terrance Williams looks for chemistry with QB Tony Romo - Calvin Watkins, ESPN Dallas
Good plan, Terrance.

Morris Claiborne explains why he was impressed with Tony Romo’s toughness Sunday night - Jon Machota, DMN
Claiborne overheard Romo telling team trainers at halftime, "No, I don’t need that. I’m going back out and I’m playing."

"Romo’s tough," Claiborne said. "The position that he plays, and the things he does, and taking hits like that, and bruising his ribs. He’s our starting quarterback and for him to say, ‘No matter what, I’m going back in this game.’ When I heard him say that, I was like, ‘Wow.’ It just goes to show how tough he is, and I think he rubs off on all of us."

Former Chiefs Now In Dallas Hope Austin Repeats Magical Day - Rowan Kavner, DallasCowboys.com
There's a surprisingly large contingent of former Chiefs on the Cowboys roster:

"The Cowboys have a large contingency [sic] of former Chiefs players currently on their roster, including Brian Waters, Brandon Carr, Edgar Jones, Kyle Orton, Alex Tanney and Jerome Long."

Position rankings: Inside linebackers - NFL.com
Chris Wesseling looks at NFL's best inside and middle linebackers, and while he affords Luke Kuechly the top spot, he puts Sean Lee in the top shelf with Kuechly and Patrick Willis.

"On film, I thought Lee was the most impressive inside linebacker in the league last season before a toe injury knocked him out of the final 10 games. No tandem has better closing speed than Lee and weakside linebacker Bruce Carter."

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• KDP's 10 For 10 Rolls Into Week 2!
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