Post by prossman on Jan 2, 2009 10:51:41 GMT -7
Notes: Ware Eyes Defensive Player of the Year Award
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
December 31, 2008 5:33 PM Change Font Size A A A A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER RECENT NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Root Of The Evil 1/1
• Special Teams Coach Bruce Read Let Go 12/31
• Two to Forget Mark '08 Struggles 12/31
• Mick's Mail: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
• Garrett Draws Lions' Interest In Coach Search 12/30
• Safety Position A Top Priority Again 12/30
• 'Boys Need More Return On Williams Investment 12/30
• Mick's Mail: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
• Phillips Sees New Approach As The Answer 12/29
IRVING, Texas - DeMarcus Ware would quickly trade his gaudy stats for another game this season. Unfortunately for the Pro Bowl linebacker, the Cowboys (9-7) will watch the playoffs at home after losing their must-win regular-season finale against the Eagles.
But Ware could find himself in the headlines at the end of next month when the NFL announces its GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Year award. Fan voting lasts Jan. 3 through Jan. 29 on NFL.com.
Ware, a four-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowl selection, is considered a top candidate for the award after finishing with a league-high 20.0 sacks - 2.5 short of Michael Strahan's single-season record - and a career-high 110 tackles.
He became the first Cowboys defender to reach 20 sacks in a season since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, and his sack total also ties Derrick Thomas for the second-most in a season by a linebacker in league history. His 53.5 career sacks are the most by any NFL player since 2005.
"I think I do deserve it," Ware said last week before the Cowboys' final game. "I've been playing really well. A lot of other guys have been doing the same thing. I've been really effective this season and yeah, I do think I deserve it."
Other strong candidates include Ravens safety Ed Reed, who has a league-high nine interceptions; Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who has 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles; and Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, who trails only Ware with 17.5 sacks.
Winds of Change
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips declared this week he would make changes, including the way he handles his players, following the team's disappointing finish in 2008.
But Phillips, known for decades as a players' coach, emphasized on his Wednesday radio segment (KTCK 1310-AM) he won't try to develop some type of tyrannical personality.
"It's more than just, 'Wow, he's going to be a mean coach.' That's not exactly what I was talking about," Phillips said. "It's about things that we do with the team and how we do them, whether that's training camp, off-season, meetings, practices. And I have to have a plan, or a better plan, in some of these areas to help us do better."
Interview Skills
Phillips also endorsed Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who is expected to speak with the Lions about their head-coaching vacancy.
"I think Jason will certainly impress those people because I think he's a very good coach and he's very organized," Phillips said. "He has all the things you're looking for in a head coach."
The Cowboys fired special teams coach Bruce Reid on Wednesday, but Phillips has said both coordinators, Garrett and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, will return next season provided neither takes a head-coaching position.
Wilson Signs
The Cowboys signed practice squad wide receiver Travis Wilson to a futures contract on Wednesday.
Originally a third-round pick by Cleveland in 2006, Wilson has spent the last 13 weeks on the Cowboys' practice squad. The Cowboys also have re-signed practice squad players Marcus Dixon and Ryan Gibbons. Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
December 31, 2008 5:33 PM Change Font Size A A A A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER RECENT NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Root Of The Evil 1/1
• Special Teams Coach Bruce Read Let Go 12/31
• Two to Forget Mark '08 Struggles 12/31
• Mick's Mail: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
• Garrett Draws Lions' Interest In Coach Search 12/30
• Safety Position A Top Priority Again 12/30
• 'Boys Need More Return On Williams Investment 12/30
• Mick's Mail: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
• Phillips Sees New Approach As The Answer 12/29
IRVING, Texas - DeMarcus Ware would quickly trade his gaudy stats for another game this season. Unfortunately for the Pro Bowl linebacker, the Cowboys (9-7) will watch the playoffs at home after losing their must-win regular-season finale against the Eagles.
But Ware could find himself in the headlines at the end of next month when the NFL announces its GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Year award. Fan voting lasts Jan. 3 through Jan. 29 on NFL.com.
Ware, a four-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowl selection, is considered a top candidate for the award after finishing with a league-high 20.0 sacks - 2.5 short of Michael Strahan's single-season record - and a career-high 110 tackles.
He became the first Cowboys defender to reach 20 sacks in a season since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, and his sack total also ties Derrick Thomas for the second-most in a season by a linebacker in league history. His 53.5 career sacks are the most by any NFL player since 2005.
"I think I do deserve it," Ware said last week before the Cowboys' final game. "I've been playing really well. A lot of other guys have been doing the same thing. I've been really effective this season and yeah, I do think I deserve it."
Other strong candidates include Ravens safety Ed Reed, who has a league-high nine interceptions; Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who has 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles; and Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, who trails only Ware with 17.5 sacks.
Winds of Change
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips declared this week he would make changes, including the way he handles his players, following the team's disappointing finish in 2008.
But Phillips, known for decades as a players' coach, emphasized on his Wednesday radio segment (KTCK 1310-AM) he won't try to develop some type of tyrannical personality.
"It's more than just, 'Wow, he's going to be a mean coach.' That's not exactly what I was talking about," Phillips said. "It's about things that we do with the team and how we do them, whether that's training camp, off-season, meetings, practices. And I have to have a plan, or a better plan, in some of these areas to help us do better."
Interview Skills
Phillips also endorsed Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who is expected to speak with the Lions about their head-coaching vacancy.
"I think Jason will certainly impress those people because I think he's a very good coach and he's very organized," Phillips said. "He has all the things you're looking for in a head coach."
The Cowboys fired special teams coach Bruce Reid on Wednesday, but Phillips has said both coordinators, Garrett and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, will return next season provided neither takes a head-coaching position.
Wilson Signs
The Cowboys signed practice squad wide receiver Travis Wilson to a futures contract on Wednesday.
Originally a third-round pick by Cleveland in 2006, Wilson has spent the last 13 weeks on the Cowboys' practice squad. The Cowboys also have re-signed practice squad players Marcus Dixon and Ryan Gibbons. Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS