In his first season he was almost there. His second season, he was on the verge of it and by last year, there was no doubt just how great he had become.
So, just how much greater can DeMarcus Ware be?
That's a question the Cowboys outside linebacker has no problems answering.
"Oh man, I'm not even close," the pass-rusher said as he walked off the field after a training camp practice. "You can always get better . . . every day. So, I don't even think about all of that stuff. You want to do well, but you can never be satisfied with what you're doing. I think there's always room to improve, and that's what I'm trying to do."
That sounds good, but realistically, it could get rather challenging for Ware to keep improving every year, at least statistically.
After recording eight sacks as a rookie in 2005, Ware took his game to the next level the following year with 11 ½ sacks, scoring two electrifying touchdowns on a fumble and interception return, all of which landed him a starting spot in the Pro Bowl.
Then last season Ware was even better, posting 14 sacks, second most in the NFL and the highest by any Cowboys player in 21 years. Not only did Ware start in the Pro Bowl for the second straight year, but he was a consensus All-Pro selection as well.
Even before last season, Ware admitted that he set high goals for himself. He wanted to improve his sack totals and has even said that a 20-sack season is not out of reach. However, as he enters his fourth pro year, Ware seems over all of the individual stuff.
"It's all about team goals now," Ware said. "That's really the most important thing. Numbers don't matter that much. I mean, I had 14 sacks last year. Greg (Ellis) had 12. I'm just throwing some numbers out there. But, it didn't help us get to the Super Bowl. That's really the only goal we've got."
And that's quite a goal, one that is shared by every player on this team.
But there're only a few players that have the ability, not to mention talent, to actually lead the Cowboys to that destination. And Ware is certainly one of them, although he shies away from the notion he is considered one of the NFL's brightest young stars.
"Superstar? I don't know about all that," Ware said. "I'm just a player. I wear a number like everyone else, and I'm trying to make the team like everyone else."
But he doesn't play like everyone else.
When it comes to rushing the quarterback, he is the triggerman of the attack. But, head coach Wade Phillips said Ware is more than just a pass-rusher. Because of his sack totals, that's obviously his forte, but that's only a part of his game.
"The guy is a Pro Bowl player, certainly, and an outstanding player," Phillips said. "But he can do it all. He plays the run tremendously well. He is hard to block, and you can't keep him blocked."
Just like you can't keep his spirits down as well. As consistent as he is on the field, Ware's charming personality is just as constant. And his willingness to work hard and improve never stops either, something Phillips has easily noticed.
"That's the other great thing about him. He's just learning and working hard and trying to get better all the time. Some of the great ones are like that. It doesn't get to them. They just go ahead and try to get better. They feel like they can get better all the time, and he seems that way. And he'll come off smiling every once in a while and say, 'Coach, I think I messed up that play.' I'll say, 'Well, you didn't mess up too bad. You made the play."
So, Ware may not have any more individual goals, but that doesn't mean there aren't some out there for him. Even Phillips says there is one within reach.
"I think he can compete for Defensive Player of the Year and those kinds of awards," Phillips said. "He's got a lot of awards and so forth, but he had three sacks and three big plays where he was called offsides and wasn't offsides. I think with more recognition, they'll realize how quick he is off the ball."
The Cowboys' offensive tackles, two of the best in the NFL, know exactly how quick Ware is off the ball, something they've found out again already here in training camp.
In Saturday's afternoon practice, Ware put on quite a show during the one-on-one pass-rushing drills. The linebacker bull-rushed right tackle Marc Colombo on one play and easily marched his way to the quarterback. On the other side, he burned left tackle Flozell Adams with a spin-move that propelled him past the four-time Pro Bowler.
If Ware can continue to beat his man to the quarterback, he'll continue to rack up sack totals and awards. And if that happens, it will only drive up the price it will take for the Cowboys to re-sign Ware, who just might be the next top-priority player to re-sign.
Sure, the Cowboys would like to get a new deal for Chris Canty, and even players such as Colombo, Kevin Burnett and Tank Johnson are in the final year of their contracts. Ware's contract expires after the 2009 season, but it's safe to assume the Cowboys will have a new deal completed for him long before that.
And it won't be cheap. Indianapolis just shelled out $72 million over six years to re-sign Dwight Freeney, who has 20 sacks in the last three years, although he missed half of last season with an injury.
But still, the 33 ½ sacks by Ware over the last three seasons is a sure sign that he is ready to cash in as well. Of course, that's yet another thing Ware doesn't feel too comfortable discussing.
"When you talk about contract stuff, I put that on the backburner," he said. "Right now, I'm trying to get to the Super Bowl. That is the last thing I'm worried about."
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Nick Eatman - 
