DeMarcus Ware
FILE - Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) breaks tackles on the way to the end zone for a touchdown after intercepting a pass throw by Washington Football Team's Taylor Heinicke (4) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. The Cowboys are bringing back Lawrence on a new contract that will create more room under the salary cap, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Monday, March 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
DE DeMarcus Lawrence says return to Cowboys was 'no-brainer'

By Schuyler Dixon Mar. 25, 2022 02:15 AM EDT

Los Angeles Rams' Von Miller holds the George Halas trophy after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams won 20-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Miller back on big stage 6 years after MVP performance

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 09, 2022 04:41 PM EST

FILE -Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen (69) celebrates a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Jared Allen is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Dick Whipple, File)
Hester, Ware, Andre Johnson 1st-year Hall of Fame finalists

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2021 05:50 PM EST

Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Raiders visit Cowboys, seek to change Thanksgiving fortunes

By The Associated Press Nov. 24, 2021 11:40 AM EST

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) is stopped after catching a pass by Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon (21) in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Cowboys, Chiefs on collision course for Arrowhead Stadium

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 11:10 AM EST

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, left, performs a dance move after catching a touchdown pass as side judge Jeff Lamberth (21) looks on in the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Prescott, Cowboys say lesson learned as Mahomes, Chiefs loom

By Schuyler Dixon Nov. 15, 2021 12:48 PM EST

FILE - Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is shown after an NFL football training camp practice at the team's headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, that the Denver Broncos are trading star linebacker Von Miller, the franchise's career sacks leader and Super Bowl 50 MVP, to the Los Angeles Rams for two 2022 draft picks.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Von Miller leaves snowy Denver behind for Rams, sunshine

By Arnie Stapleton Nov. 01, 2021 12:52 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) celebrates after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Rookies catch on quickly for Bengals, Dolphins and Falcons

By The Associated Press Oct. 29, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

FILE - This Oct. 30, 2016, file photo shows Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) smiling prior to an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Denver. Ten first-year eligible players, including defensive standout DeMarcus Ware, are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Ware, Mathis among 1st-year eligibles for Pro Football Hall

Sep. 22, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

FILE - Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning (18) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Colts' 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl 41 NFL football game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, in this Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, file photo. Peyton Manning never wanted to leave Indianapolis. But when a neck injury forced him to miss a season and the Colts moved on to Andrew Luck, he couldn’t have landed in a better place than Denver, where he produced a terrific second chapter to his Hall of Fame career. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
Manning tamed doubts, injuries to secure Hall of Fame status

By Arnie Stapleton Aug. 02, 2021 05:06 PM EDT

FILE - Former quarterback Peyton Manning motions to the crowd during the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, file photo. Peyton Manning was unanimously elected to the Broncos Ring of Fame on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Manning will be honored during the Broncos’ game against Washington at Empower Field at Mile High on Halloween. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Peyton Manning going into Denver Broncos Ring of Fame

By Arnie Stapleton Jun. 09, 2021 04:40 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Free-agent pickups have made a difference for some champions

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 16, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) speaks during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (NFL via AP)
Out of Miller's shadow, Barrett aims to follow his footsteps

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 02, 2021 12:45 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (28) runs off the field with quarterback Tom Brady (12) after Fournette ran 46-yards for a score against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Ex-Bronco Shaq Barrett returns to Denver with Buccaneers

By Arnie Stapleton Sep. 24, 2020 04:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) chases a play against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver. Miller's body is buffer, his hair tinted orange on top. The star linebacker says his dramatic offseason transfiguration was a result of his battle with the coronavirus, Kobe Bryant's untimely death and the Michael Jordan documentary. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Von Miller's transformation driven by Kobe, MJ, COVID-19

By Arnie Stapleton Aug. 04, 2020 06:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2011, file photo, Betty Wold Johnson smiles on the sideline before an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys in East Rutherford, N.J. Johnson, the mother of Jets owners Christopher Johnson and Woody Johnson, has died. She was 99. The Jets announced her death Friday, May 8, 2020, on their website, but did not provide details. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Cowboys-Jets 9/11/2011

May. 08, 2020 08:41 PM EDT

FLE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning, left, is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game in Santa Clara, Calif. Next Monday, April 6, 2020, the Hall of Fame and the NFL will announce the roster for the 2010-19 All-Decade team. Kuechly is a possible pick at linebacker. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
All-Decade Team a dicey proposition, other than a few stars

By Barry Wilner Mar. 30, 2020 03:43 PM EDT

NFL announces defensive line and linebackers finalists

By The Associated Press Nov. 25, 2019 07:16 PM EST
Hall of Famers Joe Greene, Deacon Jones and Dick Butkus are among the finalists on defense for the NFL’s All-Time Team. The league on...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians calls out form the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
LB Shaquil Barrett proving to be bargain find for Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Oct. 17, 2019 06:44 PM EDT