The Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator, and that means changes for their defense. How will it affect one of the league's most prolific pass rushers?
Monte Kiffin is installing a 4-3 defense, and in it DeMarcus Ware -- who has spent his entire NFL career as a pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 defense -- switches to defensive end. Ware played end in college, but at 254 pounds, he's on the light side for an NFL defensive end. It will be interesting to see how he transitions to the new position, and how it affects his numbers.
Over the past five years, there have been 64 seasons where an NFL player recorded 11 or more sacks. Ware has five of them, one of only two NFL players (the other is Jared Allen) to record more than three in that span.
The 11-sack seasons from 2008-2012 are presented below.
11-plus sacks, 2008-2012
Year Sacks
2011 22.0 Jared Allen, Minn.
2012 20.5 J.J. Watt, Hou.
2008 20.0 DeMarcus Ware, Dall.
2011 19.5 DeMarcus Ware, Dall.
2012 19.5 Aldon Smith, S.F.
2012 18.5 Von Miller, Den.
2011 18.0 Jason Babin, Phil.
2008 17.5 Joey Porter, Mia.
2009 17.0 Elvis Dumervil, Den.
2008 16.5 John Abraham, Atl.
2011 16.5 Jason Pierre-Paul, NYG
2008 16.0 James Harrison, Pitt.
2010 15.5 DeMarcus Ware, Dall.
2012 15.0 Cameron Wake, Mia.
2010 14.5 Tamba Hali, K.C.
2008 14.5 Julius Peppers, Car.
2009 14.5 Jared Allen, Minn.
2008 14.5 Jared Allen, Minn.
2011 14.0 Terrell Suggs, Balt.
2010 14.0 Cameron Wake, Mia.
2011 14.0 Aldon Smith, S.F.
2009 13.5 LaMarr Woodley, Pitt.
2009 13.5 Dwight Freeney, Ind.
2010 13.5 Clay Matthews, G.B.
2009 13.0 Will Smith, N.O.
2010 13.0 John Abraham, Atl.
2012 13.0 Clay Matthews, G.B.
2011 13.0 Chris Long, St.L.
2009 12.5 Trent Cole, Phil.
2010 12.5 Jason Babin, Tenn.
2012 12.5 Geno Atkins, Cin.
2012 12.5 Charles Johnson, Car.
2011 12.0 Tamba Hali, K.C.
2008 12.0 Mario Williams, Hou.
2008 12.0 Justin Tuck, NYG
2012 12.0 Jared Allen, Minn.
2011 11.5 Von Miller, Den.
2008 11.5 Robert Mathis, Ind.
2010 11.5 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
2012 11.5 Michael Johnson, Cin.
2008 11.5 LaMarr Woodley, Pitt.
2010 11.5 Justin Tuck, NYG
2012 11.5 Julius Peppers, Chi.
2012 11.5 DeMarcus Ware, Dall.
2011 11.5 Connor Barwin, Hou.
2012 11.5 Chris Long, St.L.
2012 11.5 Chris Clemons, Sea.
2010 11.5 Charles Johnson, Car.
2011 11.0 Trent Cole, Phil.
2010 11.0 Terrell Suggs, Balt.
2010 11.0 Shaun Phillips, S.D.
2010 11.0 Robert Mathis, Ind.
2011 11.0 Julius Peppers, Chi.
2010 11.0 Jared Allen, Minn.
2012 11.0 Greg Hardy, Car.
2012 11.0 Elvis Dumervil, Den.
2009 11.0 DeMarcus Ware, Dall.
2011 11.0 Cliff Avril, Det.
2011 11.0 Chris Clemons, Sea.
2010 11.0 Chris Clemons, Sea.
2011 11.0 Antwan Barnes, S.D.
2012 11.0 Anthony Spencer, Dall.
2009 11.0 Brian Orakpo, Wash.
2009 11.0 Andre Carter, Wash.
--Andy Richardson