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| Former Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware speaks to the media on February 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo |
By The Sports Xchange
Former Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware knows a little something about getting after the quarterback.
So, it says something when Ware compares Denver Broncos rookie Bradley Chubb to one of the elite pass rushers in NFL history: himself.
"You know what? He can be," Ware said on a Talk of Fame Network podcast when asked if Chubb can fill his shoes. "He's one of those guys who's mature. He listens. And that's what you want from a young guy. Because some of them come in very arrogant, saying, 'OK, I'm in the league now.' But to me, he has that 'I just arrived' mentality. 'Now what do I need to do to deliver?'"
Ware retired in 2016 after spending the last three seasons of his 12-year NFL career with the Broncos, helping the team win a Super Bowl championship following the 2015 campaign. He walked away from the game ranked eighth on the all-time list with 138.5 sacks.
Earlier this month, Denver hired Ware as a pass-rush consultant for the team, which will give him an opportunity to work with Chubb, the No. 5 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.
Chubb, who signed his rookie contract on Thursday, recorded 25 sacks and 54.5 tackles for loss with North Carolina State. He registered 10 sacks in each of his last two seasons with the Wolfpack.
With Broncos linebacker Shane Ray expected to miss the start of the season, Chubb will start opposite All-Pro linebacker Von Miller. Denver amassed at least 41 sacks in each of Ware's final three seasons, but that number dipped to 33 in 2017.
Ware expects Chubb to boost that sack total this season as well as provide a sturdy presence against the run.
"Chubb is probably 6-4, 270," Ware said. "He's the guy who can come in and be that power guy and really help Von out. The attributes that he really brings to the game -- stopping the run and being able to be that strong-side guy for Von -- that's what you need. [The Broncos] have that tag-team again."
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