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Denver Broncos: Demarcus Ware, The 12th Man On The Field

By David Robinson

November 9, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) is congratulated by defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 9, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) is congratulated by defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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With veteran pass-rusher Demarcus Ware mentoring his younger team-mates, he may be out in body, but he is fully engaged in spirit.

Injured in Week 2 against the Colts, 12th year veteran Demarcus Ware watched his team-mates from the side-lines in the Tampa Bay game.  Nine pro-bowl nods, leading in sacks for 2 years in his career, Ware is a strong candidate for the Canton nod upon retirement.

From his time with the Broncos, Ware has transitioned from being a player, to being a mentor.

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray (56) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray (56) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Giving Shane Ray advice for his first career start against Cincinnati, Ware expressed concernabout Ray’s lack of taking notes, “…sometimes you get a guy that comes in and doesn’t listen.

The whole time in meetings, he didn’t write anything down before the meetings.  But I saw when he was out there playing that he was doing every single thing that I was telling him — what the tackles were going to do, how to attack it — and after the game he was like, ‘It worked.’ I told him, I’m going to give him everything I got because I want you to be great.”

To Ware, being a Bronco is much more than getting a paycheck.

I’ve been saying since last season, that Ware’s value as a mentor and quasi-linebacker coach is worth every penny of his contract.  I also hope that we can re-sign him after this year as either a player, or a coach.

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Star OLB Von Miller’s relationship to Ware is far from business.  Coming off a 6 game suspension for repeatedly breaking the rules against pot consumption, Von states, “He [Ware] came to the Broncos at a time when I needed him the most.”  Idolizing Ware during his time at A&M, Von adopted Ware’s two point stance, and white gloves in his ambition to follow in Ware’s foot-steps.

Ware recognized Von’s talent immediately stating, “When I saw him, I was just like; Dang!’ I’d never met a pass rusher where I could say, ‘He’s faster than me,’ ..’ He can get around the corner lower than I can.’ And during the first practice, I went to him and said, ‘Do you know how good you are?’ And he looks at me. I said, ‘No, I’m gonna stay on you every single day … because you can be the best player that ever played this position in the NFL.’

And we can just assume that Ware has kept on him.  With 4.5 sacks already, Von would be onpace for an 18 sack season this year – 7 more than last year.

With many teams searching for their identity, the Broncos have leaders like Ware to give it its cohesion; its unity.  The Broncos defense evolved into a brotherhood with help of Ware.  The gentle giant serves as an anchor for a team with widely varying personalities and temperaments.  Moving forward, Ware is out in body for now, but he is fully engaged in spirit.

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