Trent Williams vs DeMarcus Ware -- Who Has The Edge?

Football Friday Film Study (FFFS) is a weekly column originated in 2012.

When the Washington Redskins drafted left tackle Trent Williams fourth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, they did so hoping he’d become a franchise piece to the offensive line. At the time, it was perceived to be a risky pick as opposed to the safer selection in Russell Okung. However, three years later, he’s a pro bowl left tackle and protects the blindside of one of the league’s most important players. QB Robert Griffin III’s body guard has quickly become the elite player most figured his upside suggested. But really, this is just the beginning.

Williams has to face some of the league’s top pass rushers twice a year in the NFC East. One of those being Dallas Cowboys’ star Defensive End DeMarcus Ware. The 30 year old pass rusher is entering his 9th season, but still has a lot left in the tank. His lengthy resume includes: 7 pro bowls, 4 first team All-Pro and 3 second team All-Pro selections, 2 time NFL sack leader (2008, 2011) and NFC Defensive Player of the year award (2008).

DeMarcus Ware had the honor of introducing himself first to Trent Williams — not on the field — but on a flight back from the 2010 NFL Combine. Williams had no clue who was sitting next to him — until Ware introduced himself. This, of course, before Williams even knew he would be playing against Ware twice a season as a division foe.

The two reacquainted themselves in week one that season. And that’s where we start in today’s FFFS.

I had a good dialogue with a few guys on twitter earlier this week about the Williams vs Ware match-up and who exactly has won each battle. It’s tough to find stats on a OL vs DL match-up like that, so I went to the film vault and pulled all six of their battles the past three seasons.

When judging pass rush — too many people focus on the glamorous stats like sacks. And while that’s important, it’s also about what the name suggests — pass rushing. Can you get consistent pressure on a QB and disrupt his progression in the pocket? That’s what I look for.

When watching Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys games live the past three seasons, it seems like DeMarcus Ware doesn’t get his name called as often as he used to. It’s tough to gauge how dominant an offensive lineman is playing when watching live. So it wasn’t until this week that I got a clear understanding of just how good Trent Williams has been against DeMarcus Ware.

#FFFS - I compiled a few notes from every *passing* play in each game:

2010 first game Trent Williams vs DeMarcus Ware (30 passing plays)

1 Total Team Sacks Allowed

D. McNabb: 15/32, 171 yards

QB Hurries: 1
QB Hits: 1 (D.Ware inside move — Trent turned shoulders to sidelines)
NOT (D. Ware not lined up on Trent): 8
NTF (Not Trent’s Fault — lined up on Trent but twisted inside the guards): 1
Sacks: 1
Dominance: 14
N/B (No Block): 1
Ware Coverage drop: 3

(Ware Neck Strain at 4:40 in 4th Q — did not return)

- This was Trent Williams’ first professional football game. He allowed 1 QB hurry, hit and sack. But his dominance outweighed the bad. Not too shabby for him. One thing coach Mike Shanahan said prior to that game was – “He’s going to be a pro-bowler and I tell you what — we’re not going to help him.” Trent went one-on-one with one of the leagues top pass rushers every time he lined up on his side.

2010 second game (43 passing plays)

5 Total Team Sacks Allowed

Rex Grossman’s first start of the season

(Trent was beat on inside move by Anthony Spencer for QB hit in this game)

Rex Grossman: 25/43, 322 yards, 2 TDs and 1 int

QB Hurries: 2
QB Hits: 0
NOT (D. Ware not lined up on Trent): 11
NTF (Not Trent’s Fault): 0
Sacks (One sack Rex ran to sack, fumble): 2
Dominance: 13
N/B (No Block): 0
Ware Coverage drop: 6
Successful Cut Block: 1
Whiff Cut block (one of screen): 3
No Ware: 4
screen away: 1

- DeMarcus Ware had his fair share of plays in this game. Trent still had a decent outing, but allowed two sacks. However, one of those sacks I’d blame more so on QB Rex Grossman. Trent didn’t allow any further QB hits and only an additional two QB hurries. What Trent tried to do a lot of – and was very unsuccessful – he tried to cut block DeMarcus Ware. That doesn’t work often and it only worked once in that game.

2011 First game (36 true passing plays)

3 Total Team Sacks Allowed

Grossman: 22/37, 250, 1 td and 1 int (1 spike)

D. Ware’s had one sack on Jammal Brown

QB Hurries: 3 (inside move)
QB Hits: 1
NOT (D. Ware not lined up on Trent): 10
NTF (Not Trent’s Fault): 1
Sacks: 0
Dominance: 14
N/B (No Block): 3
Ware Coverage drop: 3
Successful Cut Block: 0
Whiff Cut block: 0
No Ware: 2

- This was Trent’s first no-sack game against the Cowboys and DeMarcus Ware. He did allow more hurries than usual and a QB hit. But overall, a pretty clean sheet for Trent Williams.

2011 second game (38 passing plays)

3 Total Team Sacks Allowed

Rex: 25/38, 289 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT

Trent offensive holding on Ware outside rush (no play — arguable)

Ware sack on Jammal Brown

QB Hurries: 0
QB Hits: 0
NOT (D. Ware not lined up on Trent): 19
NTF (Not Trent’s Fault): 0
Sacks: 0
Dominance: 10
N/B (No Block): 4 (chipped by a TE twice)
Ware Coverage drop: 1 (9:13 mark in 2nd Q first time Ware lined up over Trent)
Successful Cut Block: 0
Whiff Cut block: 0
No Ware: 4

- This was undoubtedly Trent Williams’ first dominant game against DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys showed Trent respect from the beginning, however, because Ware didn’t line up over Trent [passing play] until the 9:13 mark in the 2nd Q. When Ware did line up against Trent, he was simply dominated.

2012 first game (28 passing plays)

4 Total Team Sacks Allowed

RGIII: 20/28, 311 yards, 4 tds and 1 INT

Sack (Anthony Spencer on TE Block – Logan Paulsen)

QB Hurries: 1
QB Hits: 0
NOT (D. Ware not lined up on Trent): 10
NTF (Not Trent’s Fault): 0
Sacks: 0
Dominance: 10
N/B (No Block): 7
Ware Coverage drop: 0
Successful Cut Block: 0
Whiff Cut block: 0
No Ware: 0

- With Robert Griffin III and the whole pistol package/read option, there’s a lot of “no blocking plays” sometimes. The genius, Mike Shanahan somehow made a living off occasionally leaving a team’s best pass rusher completely unblocked or chipped by a tight end. That typically froze the rusher or made him bite for the inside rush. Washington would play action off that or throw right in the direction of the “freed” rusher. As for Trent vs Ware in this match-up — it became Trent’s second consecutive clean sheet against Ware and the Cowboys. Zero sacks and QB hits — only one QB hurry.

2012 second game (18 passing plays)

D. Ware played with a harness on his strained right shoulder and brace on his right elbow — thought to play 60% of his snaps.

1 Total Team Sack Allowed

RGIII: 9/18, 100 yards

QB Hurries: 0
QB Hits: 0
NOT (D. Ware not lined up on Trent): 3
NTF (Not Trent’s Fault): 0
Sacks: 0
Dominance: 7
N/B (No Block): 3
Ware Coverage drop: 0
Successful Cut Block: 0
Whiff Cut block: 0
No Ware: 5

- Okay, I’ll admit, it was a tad difficult to sit and judge DeMarcus Ware in this game. He played — for the most part — without a right arm. But let’s not forget, Trent Williams had the duty of protecting the blind side of a QB (Robert Griffin III) who essentially played without his right leg. Of course, this became Trent’s third consecutive clean sheet game against Ware and the Cowboys. He allowed zero hurries, QB hits and sacks.

Silverback Island? Trent Williams has allowed 7 total QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 3 sacks total against DeMarcus Ware in six games. This all, according to my personal film study. Trent Williams has not allowed a sack against the Cowboys or DeMarcus Ware since his rookie season.

What I learned: Trent Williams vs DeMarcus Ware is a great match-up to watch. DeMarcus Ware tries to catch Trent Williams on his occasional mistake — turning his shoulders completely parallel to the sideline. What happens is, Ware kicks inside of Williams on either a speed or spin move and attacks the quarterback inside Trent’s right shoulder. As a rookie, Ware caught Williams on that a lot of times. But he’s improved as he’s matured at the position:

Now Trent Williams keeps his shoulders square making it difficult for Ware to use his spin or speed inside rush move.

I also learned that when Ware attempts to speed rush on the outside left shoulder of Trent Williams, it’s a very difficult task for him. A lot of times, he does initially beat Williams. But Trent is so athletic that he can recover quickly and push Ware completely out of the play.

In the Washington Redskins offense with Robert Griffin III at helm, they do occasionally leave a team’s best pass rusher unblocked. Or they occupy time by using a tight end:

Ware came clean from the left side and totally planted Robert Griffin III — although, this ended up being a catch to Joshua Morgan for a nice gain. Either way, you don’t want your QB getting smashed like that, which is the risk of leaving a top pass rusher unblocked. Every now and then you’ll come across a guy who stays “home” and reads the play correctly.

Conclusion - I don’t think it’s a stretch to give Trent Williams the nod to use his nickname “Silverback” as his own Island. He’s creating a nice streak against Dallas and DeMarcus Ware. In 2013, Ware will play defensive end in the Cowboys’ new four man front alignment. I don’t expect him to try beating Williams with speed. He will continue to try beating Williams on that inside rush with the occasional spin move.