DeMarcus Ware begins by going back and the first name that comes to mind is Bill Parcells, the Hall of Fame coach who gave Ware a rough welcome to Dallas and the NFL.
Parcells, the coach who of Ware in 2005, was the one who got in Ware’s face and in his head while his body ran on fumes trying to keep up in practices. Parcells was the one who broke Ware down early to build him up for years to come, perhaps because he could see what Ware couldn’t at the time.
“He always said, ‘I want you battle-hardened,” Ware said. “He would crush us in practice and play mental games. Then you start to figure out that those mental games are because he wants you to do better.”
The second name that comes to mind is Greg Ellis, Ware’s teammate, teacher and unofficial life coach in Dallas for the first four years of his career. Ellis was the one who helped Ware become the Cowboys’ all-time sack leader (117), sharing his tricks to help the young linebacker refine his technique and approach to bulldozing quarterbacks.
Ellis was another who taught Ware to look forward.
“He’s one of those big-time guys who showed me the intricate things about pass-rushing, about life and finances, all the way to Christianity and religion,” Ware said. “We used to talk about that all the time.”
Since he arrived in the NFL, Ware has been taught to look ahead — to pay it forward just as those before him did, and to become more than just a player.
Now — after revising the final year on his contract to stay in Denver, and after a lengthy recovery from a back injury — looking ahead for Ware often includes questioning of the next phase. The phase without football. With the Carolina Panthers and the start of his 12th NFL season looming on Thursday, Ware is entering what very well could be his final seven months as a Bronco.
But he refuses to look too far ahead.
METHODICAL RETURN
Ware’s 2016 offseason and preseason has been unusual, to say the least, and mostly closed to the public. But over the past few weeks, as he’s inched toward a return, he’s found some sense of normalcy on the field.
Hours before the Broncos’ home preseason games, Ware has taken his place near the south end zone of Sports Authority Field to run sprints and work on hand-speed and pass-rush drills with outside linebackers coach Fred Pagac.
. working with OLBs coach Fred Pagac before Rams game.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala)
The routine is short and its scope is limited, but itap all part of Ware’s calculated and measured plan to return in full. Or, rather, 94 percent, Ware’s joking reference to his jersey number. Ware paid former Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton “” to keep his No. 94 in Denver, and itap been good to him. Two and 7.5, for a second Super Bowl title and sacks needed to propel him past Michael Strahan at No. 5 on the NFL’s all-time list, would be even better.
But his quest for both started later than he had hoped. Much later. The back injury that kept him out of five games last season needed extra time to heal after the Broncos’ extended postseason.
“I think itap one of those injuries where if you left it alone in a normal life you’d be fine,” Ware said. “But if you’re out here and going against 350-pound guys and bending around the corner and hitting guys — itap a car collision every time you play. And thatap not real life. So I think once I’m done playing everything will be fine. Won’t have to require any surgery or anything.”
Ware, who was let go by Dallas in part because of his injury history, returned from the latest one last December. In the Broncos’ final five games, including the playoffs, he had 15 tackles (eight solo), 4.5 sacks for a loss of 45 yards and recovered three fumbles. All while playing, he said, at only 70 percent.
“If he was and he goes to 100 (percent), then watch out,” said defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. “As long as he’s at 94, we’re in good shape. … He doesn’t seem to have any problem with his back. He says he feels better than he did last year at the end of the year. At the end of the year, he was DeMarcus Ware, Hall of Famer.”
Ware’s role figures to change this season. His playing time likely will be reduced to mostly third downs in an effort to preserve his health and to use him where he’s most needed, most effective — and most destructive.
But one plan won’t change.
IN THE MOMENT
John Elway’s vision in 2014 included more than just building an all-star defense that would maul Tom Brady and demoralize Cam Newton. If newcomers Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward would be two new diamonds, Ware would be the gold ring, anchoring all the jewels of their Super Bowl-winning defense.
At the time, the centerpiece of that defense needed buffing and refining and Ware was the one to do it. It was part of the grand plan and one in which Ware wanted a large part.
“We knew what Von (Miller) could do and we knew the physical talent he had,” said Elway, the Broncos’ general manager. “Obviously, he had some bumps in the road there, but thatap going to happen to some guys. They’re young. So I think DeMarcus was a guy we thought, no question, would be a great role model for Von to get him to see what it takes to be great, what it takes to be a leader and start creating that legacy for Von.”
Miller’s legacy began to take shape when Ware arrived. Ware’s legacy has been sealed with the help of Miller, the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Two seasons in Denver will forever link them in ways that go beyond the wins and the losses, or the gaudy statistics and accolades.
“When he’s out there, he’s taking advantage of every play,” Miller said. “You want to take advantage of every opportunity you get on the field. D-Ware, whenever you see him on the field he’s going 100 percent. Thatap inspiring. Thatap the type of player I know I can be and seeing it up close and in person has definitely helped me.”
Others, too. Ware’s ways have trickled down to Miller and the younger linebackers who soon could be Ware’s replacements in Denver.
“He’s teaching Shaq (Barrett), teaching Shane (Ray),” Ware said of Miller. “He’s teaching all those guys and thatap what itap about. All the knowledge in your head, how can you teach it to that next person? You can see now Shane is doing it to the younger guys. You can harbor all that, but itap a team sport and if you can share your mind, you can create something thatap bigger than you can fathom.”
Ware is paying it forward while still looking forward. He has a weekly show for NFL Media, “.” He is a self-described “entrepreneur at heart” who has long had an interest in technology — he majored in business information systems at Troy University — and music and life beyond the field.
Ware always has had a Plan B for his Plan A. But his plan for now won’t let him get too far ahead.
“People always ask me, ‘Is this it?’ No! I’m a competitor,” he said. “I’m going to get out there and play. I want to win another win. They say there’s a bullseye on us. I say, ‘No, the bullseye is on the other team. We already won the Super Bowl. We’re the team thatap chasing another one. We’re not a team that has to defend. We don’t have to defend anything. We already won one. We need to go out there and get another one and put it behind us.”
By the Numbers: DeMarcus Ware
Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware says he doesn’t think about Canton. But Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips says Ware’s resume is “no doubt” Hall of Fame-worthy. A snapshot:
9: Career Pro Bowl selections, the most among active defensive players
2: Seasons he’s led the league in sacks — 2008 (20) and 2010 (15.5). He’s one of six players since 1982, when sacks became officially counted, to lead the NFL in multiple seasons.
0.81: Career sack rate, which ranks second behind Reggie White (0.85 sacks per game) among players appearing in at least 100 games.
134.5: Career sacks, 11th in NFL history. He needs 7.5 to move past Michael Strahan (141.5) and sit at No. 5 on the all-time list.
33: Career multi-sack games.
35: Career forced fumble, tied for third all time in the NFL.
