DeMarcus Ware’s right arm is braced in a sling after his shoulder surgery.
One of the league’s premier outside linebackers is also braced to move to end in the Cowboys new defensive scheme.
“I think it can benefit me,’’ Ware said Thursday as he made the media rounds at Super Bowl XLVII. “I can play a lot more aggressive. I don’t have to worry about dropping into coverage. Then guys like Sean Lee and Bruce Carter and Jay (Ratliff) can really get after it.’’
Ware played defensive end during his college days at Troy University. But he made the transition to outside linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 defense as a rookie and has been at that position ever since.
The veteran has earned seven consecutive Pro Bowl invitations at linebacker. But the club has replaced defensive coordinator Rob Ryan with Monte Kiffin, meaning the defense will return to its 4-3 roots for the first time in nine years.
“I was just standing up in the 3-4,’’ Ware said. “I’ll still be an edge guy, rushing the passer, maybe once in a while putting my hand down. It’s just a different terminology.
“But at the end of the day, I played 4-3 in college. There’s not a big change.’’
Ware was surprised by the shift, saying, “Rob is a great coach. But it’s a business decision they made.’’ He also pointed out that Kiffin will be the sixth defensive coordinator he’s played for since joining the Cowboys in 2005.
The others: Mike Zimmer, Brian Stewart, Wade Phillips, Paul Pasqualoni and Ryan.
“Sometimes, change is good,’’ Ware said. “This is the first one where we’ve had a total revamp, a total change.’’
Ware had surgery earlier this month to repair a torn posterior labrum. He will be in the sling for another two weeks. Ware also said he intends to have clean up surgery on his right elbow in the near future.
Ware hopes to be cleared by the start of training camp in July.
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Source:
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/demarcus-ware-on-dallas-cowboys-shift-to-a-4-3-i-think-it-can-benefit-me.html/