Nov 27, 2011; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) celebrates after a sack during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

That situation is very similar to the one facing our 2012 Dallas Cowboys.  As well as the defense  played Saturday night against the Rams, the more I watch the this team play while superstar OLB Demarcus Ware rehabs his hamstring, it is painfully evident that another pass rusher is needed immediately to complete the rebuilding process of Rob Ryan’s defense.

I believe that the Cowboys should pull the trigger on make a deal with the Indianapolis Colts for OLB/DE Dwight Freeney.  The Cowboys could send CB Mike Jenkins and a late draft pick to Indianapolis for Freeney who could come in as a pass rush specialist opposite Ware and take this defense to the next level.

The deal makes perfect sense due to the fact that Mario Butler has played so well as the 4^th CB that the Cowboys can afford to trade the soon to be free agent Jenkins who the Colts were interested in just months ago.  Freeney is also a soon to be free agent at the end of the year and won’t be back with the rebuilding Colts, so from a contract standpoint the deal makes perfect sense.   Freeney is a seven time pro bowler and has 102.5 career sacks.  Just think how dangerous this defense will become when offensive coordinators have to block someone else the DeMarcus Ware coming off the edge in passing situations, it is a deal that makes perfect sense.

There are many players we can choose from, Derrelle Revis, both Andre and Charles Johnson, Mike Vick, Phillip Rivers, and even our own Tony Romo would get some consideration.  However, in my opinion this question only has one answer, DeMarcus Ware #94 OLB Dallas Cowboys.   All the previous mentioned players are good, but none of them will have a chance to make NFL history by breaking multiple records as Ware can and barring injury, will.   Those records are the NFL single sack record currently held by Michael Strahan at 22.5 sacks, and the all- time sack record currently held by Bruce Smith with 200 sacks in a 19 year career.  

The single season sack record is well within reach for Ware due to the fact that he is the only NFL player to be listed on the top ten single season sack list twice with 19.5 in 2011 and 20 in 2008.  In fact, if you look closer at his sack #’s, Ware has compiled 99.5 sacks in 112 games, which is 1.13 sacks a game.  If you then calculate out that Ware keeps up that same pace for his career he will pass Bruce Smith in less than six years.   Ware is only 29 years old, so that record just as a QB running from the pocket, is well within his reach.

DeMarcus Ware not only displays amazing talent on the field, but he also matches it with professionalism and a genuine kindness off the field, you could say that he is very similar to former Cowboy legend Emmitt Smith, a great player with a great attitude and someone who should be rewarded for doing things the right way and staying balanced and humble in the process.   I, myself was witness to this first hand some five years ago when The Sporting News had an online contest, to ask a question to your favorite NFL player.   I naturally chose DeMarcus Ware and wrote an entry with a question asking why he chose to wear #94 in the NFL, and if it was due to him being a fan of former Cowboy pass rushing great Charles Harley.  Mr. Ware not only took the time to answer my question, but sent me a personal thank you letter that I still have hung up in my office to this day.  I am sure we all know that many athletes today would not have taken the extra time and effort to do that, and I only hope that the next question I get to ask DeMarcus is one that deserves to be answered soon, just what size Super Bowl Ring you WARE.

Sep 13, 1992; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson (28) prior to the game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: US PRESSWIRE

When the Dallas Cowboys announced that they hired former Cowboys defensive lineman Leon Lett (the cat) as a defensive assistant-defensive line coach,  it got me thinking about Leon Lett’s playing days.  Back then, Dallas had one of the best defenses in the league.  Charles Haley, Jim Jeffcoat, Ken Norton, Darren Woodson – players with heart that played with passion and purpose.  Remember Ken Norton’s famous line – “Dallas Cowboys defense…UNCONSCIOUS!” (more…)