DeMarcus Ware has not been cleared yet
By Mike Dyce
May 21, 2013; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Anthony Hargrove (99) defensive tackle Jay Ratliff (90) and linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) during organized team activities at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Ware told reporters after a high school football camp hosted by the Dallas Cowboys that he still hasn’t been cleared to practice by team doctors. Ware is still recovering from shoulder surgery this offseason.
“I feel good. I’m not 100 percent, but I’m good enough to play,” Ware said, via Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas. “I still got a couple of months to recover and get ready for training camp and I’ll be ready by then.”
DeMarcus Ware needs to participate in this offseason more so than in past years because of the switch being made on the defensive side of the ball. When Bill Parcells was the coach he implemented a 3-4 defensive scheme that Ware was drafted into. That system remained under head coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. But Rob Ryan became the scapegoat for the 2012 season and has been ushered out of Valley Ranch.
Under new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin they’re switching to a 4-3 that would move DeMarcus Ware from an outside linebacker to a defensive end, and more importantly keep his hand in the dirt. Many think this will make Ware a better pass rusher by keeping him from dropping back in to coverage as often.
Ware led the Cowboys with 11.5 sacks last season despite playing with 1 arm for the last few weeks of the season. His injuries included a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which required surgery, and hyperextended his right elbow several times but avoided surgery for that injury. Ware doubts that he’ll start training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
“I don’t think so,” Ware said of being on the PUP list. “I will be out there doing training camp. I might be limited, but I will be doing training camp stuff.”