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Bench Warmer
The Dallas Cowboys are planning a late afternoon news conference Monday to announce the signing of outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware to a six-year extension totaling close to $80 million, according to a source.
The deal is worth close to $13 million per season, with about $40 million guaranteed.
It's one of the richest contracts in league history for a defensive player.
Redskins nose tackle Albert Haynesworth has the richest deal for a defensive player. He signed a seven-year, $100 million deal with $41 million guaranteed this offseason. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen signed a six-year $74.5 million deal two years ago with $34 million guaranteed. Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs signed a six-year $62.5 million contract this summer with about $38.1 million guaranteed.
Ware and his agent, Pat Dye, who did not return a call seeking comment, have been seeking a huge money contract from the Cowboys. Ware wanted to finish his career in Dallas and didn't want to be given the franchise tag, which would have prevented him from being an unrestricted free agent. He said it would bother him if the club had done so.
Now, with Ware in the fold long-term, the Cowboys don't have to worry about have him upset over his contract.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last week he was hopeful of getting an extension completed soon for Ware, the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft who is in the final year of the contract he signed then. There have been talks about a deal for several months.
"I've been lucky to be around a lot of good ones," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Monday regarding some of the top pass rushers he's been around. "He's at the top of the class, and it doesn't take long to call the roll. You know that statement. He's very special that way. But he's an all around player, and he plays the run well too. That's what you really like about him."
Since 2005, Ware has compiled 57½ sacks, the most by any linebacker. He had 20 sacks last season.
Ware is the fourth player in Cowboys history with three consecutive 10-sack seasons. The last Dallas player with more than Ware in a single season was Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White with 16 in 1978.
There was also Ware's NFL record-matching streak of 10 consecutive games with a sack, the longest in the NFL in 15 years -- though it is not recognized as a Cowboys record. Harvey Martin had sacks in 11 consecutive games from 1976-77 before the NFL considered sacks an official stat.
Ware is among only six players to have 20 sacks in a seasons since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
The deal is worth close to $13 million per season, with about $40 million guaranteed.
It's one of the richest contracts in league history for a defensive player.
Redskins nose tackle Albert Haynesworth has the richest deal for a defensive player. He signed a seven-year, $100 million deal with $41 million guaranteed this offseason. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen signed a six-year $74.5 million deal two years ago with $34 million guaranteed. Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs signed a six-year $62.5 million contract this summer with about $38.1 million guaranteed.
Ware and his agent, Pat Dye, who did not return a call seeking comment, have been seeking a huge money contract from the Cowboys. Ware wanted to finish his career in Dallas and didn't want to be given the franchise tag, which would have prevented him from being an unrestricted free agent. He said it would bother him if the club had done so.
Now, with Ware in the fold long-term, the Cowboys don't have to worry about have him upset over his contract.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last week he was hopeful of getting an extension completed soon for Ware, the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft who is in the final year of the contract he signed then. There have been talks about a deal for several months.
"I've been lucky to be around a lot of good ones," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Monday regarding some of the top pass rushers he's been around. "He's at the top of the class, and it doesn't take long to call the roll. You know that statement. He's very special that way. But he's an all around player, and he plays the run well too. That's what you really like about him."
Since 2005, Ware has compiled 57½ sacks, the most by any linebacker. He had 20 sacks last season.
Ware is the fourth player in Cowboys history with three consecutive 10-sack seasons. The last Dallas player with more than Ware in a single season was Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White with 16 in 1978.
There was also Ware's NFL record-matching streak of 10 consecutive games with a sack, the longest in the NFL in 15 years -- though it is not recognized as a Cowboys record. Harvey Martin had sacks in 11 consecutive games from 1976-77 before the NFL considered sacks an official stat.
Ware is among only six players to have 20 sacks in a seasons since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
