The top Cowboys defenders
A liberal dose
September 06, 2007
DeMarcus Ware LBA no-brainer. Under Wade Phillips' crush-the-quarterback defense, Ware wants to break the NFL single-season sack record. If the success of Shawne Merriman under Phillips at San Diego is an indicator, Ware may have a shot. In his first two seasons, Ware has 19 1/2 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures. One man can't block him, and if the Cowboys can find one more pass rusher, Ware just might break Michael Strahan's record of 22 1/2 sacks.
Terence Newman CB
Newman is a lock-down corner -- he has the ability to shut down one side of the field. His ability to take a receiver for an entire game allows the defense to blitz more often. He has yet to make the Pro Bowl, which irks him, but now he has his eyes set on something greater: the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jason Ferguson NT
His penetration determines if the pass rush will collapse the pocket. Although he has just one sack in the past two seasons, the nose tackle in the Phillips defense often dictates the success of the rush. At 312 pounds, Fergie is big enough to jam the middle.
Roy Williams SS
He lost 26 pounds during the off-season and will return to his preferred space, closer to the line of scrimmage, where he can help stop the run and rush the passer. He's not flawless in pass coverage, and probably never will be, but Roy Willie is still one of the most feared hitters in an NFL secondary.
Greg Ellis OLB
If Ellis is his old self, Ware has his partner pass rusher from the edge. When he was injured last season, Ellis was the team's second-best defender. No one on the team uses his hands better to shed blockers, or knows as many tricks to pressure a passer.
September 06, 2007
DeMarcus Ware LBA no-brainer. Under Wade Phillips' crush-the-quarterback defense, Ware wants to break the NFL single-season sack record. If the success of Shawne Merriman under Phillips at San Diego is an indicator, Ware may have a shot. In his first two seasons, Ware has 19 1/2 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures. One man can't block him, and if the Cowboys can find one more pass rusher, Ware just might break Michael Strahan's record of 22 1/2 sacks.
Terence Newman CB
Newman is a lock-down corner -- he has the ability to shut down one side of the field. His ability to take a receiver for an entire game allows the defense to blitz more often. He has yet to make the Pro Bowl, which irks him, but now he has his eyes set on something greater: the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jason Ferguson NT
His penetration determines if the pass rush will collapse the pocket. Although he has just one sack in the past two seasons, the nose tackle in the Phillips defense often dictates the success of the rush. At 312 pounds, Fergie is big enough to jam the middle.
Roy Williams SS
He lost 26 pounds during the off-season and will return to his preferred space, closer to the line of scrimmage, where he can help stop the run and rush the passer. He's not flawless in pass coverage, and probably never will be, but Roy Willie is still one of the most feared hitters in an NFL secondary.
Greg Ellis OLB
If Ellis is his old self, Ware has his partner pass rusher from the edge. When he was injured last season, Ellis was the team's second-best defender. No one on the team uses his hands better to shed blockers, or knows as many tricks to pressure a passer.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:16 AM
<< Home