’Boys Ware set to make McAllen appearance
April 21, 2006
Jason McDaniel
Monitor Staff Writer
McALLEN — With an eye-opening start and a dominating finish to his rookie campaign, Dallas Cowboys defensive end/linebacker DeMarcus Ware landed on the NFL scene with a bang during 2005.
Now he’s hoping for an explosive second run that carries throughout the 2006 season and into the playoffs.
“Me being a rookie, it was 365 days of work because it was a lot to learn playing defensive end and linebacker at the same time,” said Ware, who arrives in the Rio Grande Valley today to sign autographs. “It was actually fun learning a whole different concept, not just pass rushing, but pass (coverage) as well.
“Overall, I think I played pretty good. I was hoping for 10 sacks and I got eight, so I had some good production in my rookie season.”
Ware, the Cowboys’ first-round pick in 2005, will sign autographs beginning at 6 p.m. today at Four Points Sheraton in McAllen. He is the 13th Cowboys player to visit the RGV with the help of C.J. Cavazos, a local liaison to the Cowboys who coordinates player appearance in the Valley.
“I’ve been working on getting Ware here probably since December,” Cavazos said.
“But DeMarcus is different. He is represented by a company called Legendary Impressions, but I jumped through all the hoops I had to and landed on my feet.”
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Ware opened eyes during a preseason game Aug. 22 against Seattle. In one half of action, Ware forced two fumbles, recovering one, and tallied an interception, a sack and three tackles in a Cowboys win. He went on to record four sacks and 14 tackles in his first six games before hitting a midseason slump. But he broke out of that lull in a big way in Week 16.
The Cowboys were fighting for their playoff lives Dec. 24 against Carolina when Ware recorded three sacks, all of which forced fumbles, and nine tackles in a 24-20 win. The sacks and fumbles were the most in a single game by a rookie in team history.
“I wish I could have a game like that every game, I would end up with like 50 sacks, but teams scheme against you and sometimes you won’t be as proficient as you were in a certain game,” Ware said. “It just depends on the team playing against you and its personnel.”
Ware finished as a finalist for the NFL Rookie of the Year award, which ended up going to Tampa Bay’s Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. Ware finished with 58 tackles and eight sacks.
“Last year I set a goal to get 10 sacks, so this year I’m trying to get 12, and I want and interception during the season this time, not the preseason,” Ware said. “I’d like to get a touchdown too on an interception or fumble recovery, so those are the goals I have.”
Cavazos said he expects to announce the next Cowboys player to visit today. For more information on Ware’s signing party, visit www.cowboyconnection.biz.
———
Jason McDaniel is a sports reporter for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442.
Who: Defensive end/linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
What: Ware will sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Picture packages include an 8x10 autographed color photo and a photo with Ware for $40. Other items ranging from $25 to $50 will be available for signing. Henry also will sign personal memorabilia for $25. Fans cannot bring cameras to the signing party.
When: Doors open at 5 p.m. today; signing and pictures from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Four Points Sheraton at 2721 S. 10th St. south of La Plaza Mall in McAllen.
Jason McDaniel
Monitor Staff Writer
McALLEN — With an eye-opening start and a dominating finish to his rookie campaign, Dallas Cowboys defensive end/linebacker DeMarcus Ware landed on the NFL scene with a bang during 2005.
Now he’s hoping for an explosive second run that carries throughout the 2006 season and into the playoffs.
“Me being a rookie, it was 365 days of work because it was a lot to learn playing defensive end and linebacker at the same time,” said Ware, who arrives in the Rio Grande Valley today to sign autographs. “It was actually fun learning a whole different concept, not just pass rushing, but pass (coverage) as well.
“Overall, I think I played pretty good. I was hoping for 10 sacks and I got eight, so I had some good production in my rookie season.”
Ware, the Cowboys’ first-round pick in 2005, will sign autographs beginning at 6 p.m. today at Four Points Sheraton in McAllen. He is the 13th Cowboys player to visit the RGV with the help of C.J. Cavazos, a local liaison to the Cowboys who coordinates player appearance in the Valley.
“I’ve been working on getting Ware here probably since December,” Cavazos said.
“But DeMarcus is different. He is represented by a company called Legendary Impressions, but I jumped through all the hoops I had to and landed on my feet.”
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Ware opened eyes during a preseason game Aug. 22 against Seattle. In one half of action, Ware forced two fumbles, recovering one, and tallied an interception, a sack and three tackles in a Cowboys win. He went on to record four sacks and 14 tackles in his first six games before hitting a midseason slump. But he broke out of that lull in a big way in Week 16.
The Cowboys were fighting for their playoff lives Dec. 24 against Carolina when Ware recorded three sacks, all of which forced fumbles, and nine tackles in a 24-20 win. The sacks and fumbles were the most in a single game by a rookie in team history.
“I wish I could have a game like that every game, I would end up with like 50 sacks, but teams scheme against you and sometimes you won’t be as proficient as you were in a certain game,” Ware said. “It just depends on the team playing against you and its personnel.”
Ware finished as a finalist for the NFL Rookie of the Year award, which ended up going to Tampa Bay’s Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. Ware finished with 58 tackles and eight sacks.
“Last year I set a goal to get 10 sacks, so this year I’m trying to get 12, and I want and interception during the season this time, not the preseason,” Ware said. “I’d like to get a touchdown too on an interception or fumble recovery, so those are the goals I have.”
Cavazos said he expects to announce the next Cowboys player to visit today. For more information on Ware’s signing party, visit www.cowboyconnection.biz.
———
Jason McDaniel is a sports reporter for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442.
Who: Defensive end/linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
What: Ware will sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Picture packages include an 8x10 autographed color photo and a photo with Ware for $40. Other items ranging from $25 to $50 will be available for signing. Henry also will sign personal memorabilia for $25. Fans cannot bring cameras to the signing party.
When: Doors open at 5 p.m. today; signing and pictures from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Four Points Sheraton at 2721 S. 10th St. south of La Plaza Mall in McAllen.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:14 PM
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