The Ware-Merriman Debate
I meant to get to this earlier in the week, but to no one’s surprise, Bledsoe, Flo, T.O. and Vanderjagt have pretty much dominated conversation.
Watched Shawne Merriman get three sacks against Oakland. Heard some “LT” references get tossed around during and after the game. Then we got some e-mails about how the Cowboys should’ve drafted Merriman with last year’s 11th-overall pick instead of DeMarcus Ware.
No doubt Merriman is awesomely talented, and he’s producing bushels of sacks. Ware hasn’t reached those totals yet, but he’s in the second year of a brand-new position. Moving from 4-3 pass-rushing defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker was a tough, tough transition last year. And Ware has more responsibilities than simply sticking the quarterback.
All that aside, he still finished with eight sacks last year, the second-most ever by a Cowboys linebacker in a single season.
As for the Oakland game, don’t forget that despite his three sacks, Merriman only had one-third of the Chargers’ sack total that night (nine). That speaks to how ridiculously bad the Raiders’ offensive line was. At this rate, Aaron Brooks will be in a full-body cast by Week 6.
It’d be one thing if Ware wasn’t producing, but he is, and he should only get better. I understand the Merriman talk to a degree, though, simply because those two guys will be forever linked when you think about the draft, much like Greg Ellis and Randy Moss still draw comparisons.
One more thing: I’ve heard Ware doesn’t have enough of a mean streak. From what I’ve seen, he’s a pretty competitive guy. You don’t have to be a jerk to be productive. Ask any of the Cowboys’ top players, like Witten or Ellis. Good guys.
Bottom line, you can’t go wrong with Ware or Merriman. Both should be Pro Bowlers for years to come.
Published Friday, September 15, 2006 8:01 PM by rphillips
Watched Shawne Merriman get three sacks against Oakland. Heard some “LT” references get tossed around during and after the game. Then we got some e-mails about how the Cowboys should’ve drafted Merriman with last year’s 11th-overall pick instead of DeMarcus Ware.
No doubt Merriman is awesomely talented, and he’s producing bushels of sacks. Ware hasn’t reached those totals yet, but he’s in the second year of a brand-new position. Moving from 4-3 pass-rushing defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker was a tough, tough transition last year. And Ware has more responsibilities than simply sticking the quarterback.
All that aside, he still finished with eight sacks last year, the second-most ever by a Cowboys linebacker in a single season.
As for the Oakland game, don’t forget that despite his three sacks, Merriman only had one-third of the Chargers’ sack total that night (nine). That speaks to how ridiculously bad the Raiders’ offensive line was. At this rate, Aaron Brooks will be in a full-body cast by Week 6.
It’d be one thing if Ware wasn’t producing, but he is, and he should only get better. I understand the Merriman talk to a degree, though, simply because those two guys will be forever linked when you think about the draft, much like Greg Ellis and Randy Moss still draw comparisons.
One more thing: I’ve heard Ware doesn’t have enough of a mean streak. From what I’ve seen, he’s a pretty competitive guy. You don’t have to be a jerk to be productive. Ask any of the Cowboys’ top players, like Witten or Ellis. Good guys.
Bottom line, you can’t go wrong with Ware or Merriman. Both should be Pro Bowlers for years to come.
Published Friday, September 15, 2006 8:01 PM by rphillips
posted by The Gryphon at 10:33 AM
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