IRVING, Texas --The day the Cowboys selected DeMarcus Ware in the 2005 NFL Draft, then-head coach Bill Parcells -- usually short on effusive praise, especially for players who had yet to enter the NFL -- compared his new pass rusher to Lawrence Taylor.
It wasn't a hollow statement. Parcells coached Taylor with the Giants and felt Ware had the combination of speed, power, quickness and work ethic to be great. Six years later, he's a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL sack leader.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick coached Taylor specifically as the Giants linebackers coach and later as defensive coordinator under Parcells. He doesn't disagree with the LT-Ware comparison, calling Ware "the best player we've faced this year."
"He does all the things you want him to do," Belichick said. "He's strong against the run, he can rush the passer, he's great at pursuit, he's got power, he's got speed, he's got good technique, he's good at pass coverage, he gets a lot of depth, he's an asset to your pass coverage if you want to drop him.
"I can say all those same things about Lawrence Taylor."
Ware was flattered by Belichick's comments.
