doesn’t have enough time to spell out all the things has done for him.
“I could sit here all day and write a book about the moments that DeMarcus has impacted my life,” he said.
When he arrived in Denver in 2014 as one of the key pickups of ‘s defensive shopping spree, Ware not only become the backbone of the Broncos’ defense but the mentor Miller needed.
Miller was only two months removed from knee surgery and five months removed from a drug-policy suspension. The Broncos’ star-in the-making had gone off course and the signing of Ware, Elway told me in August, was in part to help Miller.
The plan worked.
“I’ve been in the league six years and three of those years have been with DeMarcus,” Miller continued. “If you look at my years with DeMarcus and you look at the type of player that I was and the type of person that I am now during DeMarcus’ tenure is entirely different. If you know about Denver and the , you would know exactly the type impact that he’s had in my life and in my career.”
It’s possible Ware took his final snap for the Broncos in rainy Kansas City on Christmas night as their playoff hopes vanished. Itap possible he also took the final snap of his 12-year career.
Ware was scheduled to undergo surgery Friday to repair a ruptured disc in his back. Itap the latest on a long list of significant injuries for the 34-year-old. He missed five games last season because of the injury, then dealt with a bacterial infection in his back during training camp, then missed five more games this season because of a fractured forearm.
When this season officially ends, so, too, will his three-year contract with the Broncos.
Ware has said on Twitter that “fuel is still in the tank,” repeating what he said after 50 when he was asked then about his future. And those who know him best believe he wants to return for season No. 13.
“I think he does,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. “He’s still physically a presence. All that you have to do is look at him, so hopefully he can come back from that.”
Ware’s success and longevity (a Hall of Fame career if you ask Phillips), his teachings (Miller and will tell you), his voice and earned respect made him the leader of the Broncos. And itap a role he’s embraced.
“He’s amazing. He really is,” coach said. “Everybody looks up to him and, of course, his career speaks for itself. He’s such a class act for kids to see every day. I know Von has reached an MVP level and has made a lot of Pro Bowls, but Von still watches DeMarcus handle himself every day. Thatap just the utmost respect for ‘94’ and what he means to the football team and people around him.”
But if Ware doesn’t return to Denver — as a salary-cap or personnel decision, or both — one thing is certain: The Broncos will have lost an irreplaceable leader only a year after losing its biggest leader in .
For a team coming off a trying season with a pair of young quarterbacks and an imbalance between its offense and defense, that stable locker-room presence and leader by example is vital.
Ware made Elway’s hope a reality. But if his time in Denver has officially ended, then the Broncos will be searching for more than a revamped offensive line and offensive consistency this offseason.
They’ll be on the hunt for their next leader.
3 UP
. threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the Vikings to help the Packers to their fifth consecutive win and setting up a showdown with Detroit for the NFC North title.
. The Steelers gained 240 yards and scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a comeback win over the Ravens last Sunday to clinch the AFC North.
. The Browns finally won a game and — AND! — still retained their projected No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, thanks to the 49ers’ earlier loss to the Rams. Christmas miracles, indeed.
3 DOWN
. In their biggest game, the Broncos play their worst, giving up 243 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter alone in a 33-10 loss at Kansas City. Goodbye, playoffs.
Injuries. Titans QB Marcus Mariota, Raiders QB Derek Carr and Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett all broke their fibulas last weekend. Mariota is done for the season, Carr is out indefinitely and Lockett, who also broke his tibia, is expected back by training camp.
. After claiming his defensive backs defied his calls in coverage against Green Bay, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer downplayed it and called it all a miscommunication. The only thing clear in this? Minnesota unraveled and is out of the playoffs.
Spotlight on Tom Savage, Houston Texans’ QB
When: Tom Savage replaced in Week 15 after Osweiler, Houston’s $72 million quarterback, threw a pair of interceptions in the first half against the Jaguars and was subsequently benched. Last weekend, Savage helped the Texans clinch the AFC South title in his first start, against Cincinnati, and will lead them again in their regular-season finale at Tennessee on New Year’s.
What’s up: Osweiler’s 16th interception was the tipping point. The guy Houston signed after only seven starts in his NFL career, all with the Broncos, had failed to live up to expectations — or his hefty contract — so Bill O’Brien decided to bench him and give Savage a try. In his six quarters at the helm, Savage has completed 41 of 65 passes for 436 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions for an 82.6 passer rating. He has also taken four sacks.
Background: A 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback out of Pittsburgh, Savage was selected in the fourth round (No. 135) of the 2014 draft by Houston. He was placed on injured reserve in 2015 after hurting his shoulder in preseason and has played only four regular-season games in his pro career.
Jhabvala’s take: Savage was welcomed with open arms in Week 15. Few knew what he was capable of and many still don’t. But the change, fans believed, offered hope of improvement. So far it has. Savage has played solidly for Houston the last two games and, most importantly, has protected the ball. Nothing against Osweiler, but right now, Savage is clearly the better QB for the Texans heading into the playoffs. Now if only he can put up some touchdowns and fix Houston’s red-zone issues.
