10 questions with D.J. Ware
by Ed Valentine on Mar 10, 2010 7:57 AM EST
in Interviews
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PrintNew York Giants running back D.J. Ware is all over the Inter-Google with his own Facebook, Twitter and Web pages. And, while lots of athletes have those Ware actually uses his on a regular basis.
Today, Ware is actually here as well. Follow the jump for 10 questions with the Giants running back/social media maven.
And you can catch more of Ware Thursday night when he joins Patricia Traina of Inside Football and myself on Blog Talk Radio for 'New York Giants Talk' at 8 p.m. ET. Not sure we will be taking calls, but if you have a question about Ware or anything Giants related e-mail it to me at bigblueview@gmail.com (subject line "Blog Talk Radio') or use the chat function when you listen to the show.
Now, on with the Q&A.
Big Blue View: You said last season that you knew there was an opportunity there for you to become a regular part of the backfield rotation. It looked like you had earned that chance when the season started, but the year did not turn out that way. How disappointing was the season for you, personally?
DJ Ware: It was just frustrating because I worked so hard. To go out the first game and first kickoff, and have to sit out eight weeks was frustrating. You can’t dwell on the past, though, so I don’t look back on it as disappointing. I look back on it as motivation.
BBV: Toward the end of the season, head coach Tom Coughlin seemed to question your work ethic. Here is what he said. "To be honest with you, in special teams when he was back, he didn’t do much. He didn’t provide us with a lot.... we are trying to make him understand a lot of things about consistency and about what our expectation levels are, no matter what spot we are in. And hopefully he is going to learn that." What is your reaction to that?
Ware: I will listen to what [he] wants from me. To last in this league you have to do things you’ve never done before. It helps you to learn and grow. It’s part of the territory.
BBV: I know you were hoping 2009 would be your breakout season. You are still only 25, however. Do you still feel like you can be the next Ryan Grant or Derrick Ward? A guy who becomes a big-time back after a few seasons of relative obscurity?
Ware: Yes, I really do. If it doesn’t happen, it wasn’t meant to happen but I’m a great running back and I have great attributes to contribute as a play maker, so I think it will happen.
BBV: Give us a glimpse into your off-season schedule. What is a day or a week like? I'm particularly interested in your workout regimen.
Ware: You can check out my videos at www.facebook.com/djware28. I share exclusive videos with my fans about my workout. But, in terms of a general overview for a Monday, which is a lower body day…I come in at 9:30 bike, jump rope, stretch, lunges, do vertical jumps, and take a hot tub. Get running in for about 30-45 mins.
BBV: You are all over the Internet, with Facebook, Twitter and writing blog posts at your Web site. What are you hoping to accomplish with all that?
Ware: To give as many fans as possible a chance to get to know me with the helmet off you know. I love sharing myself with my fans. People want to grow up and become athletes, so I want them to be able to see the dedication and hard work it’s going to take to get there.
BBV: What's the deal with the cooking videos? You consider yourself a good cook?
Ware: I consider myself to be like Chef BoyarDJ. I believe I can cook anything if I have the right spices, herbs and seasonings.
BBV: Right now your primary competition for playing time would appear to be Andre Brown and Gartrell Johnson. We don't know yet if the Giants will draft anyone or bring in a free agent. Can you give me scouting reports on the strengths and weakness of those two guys?
Ware: Andre is just young and doesn’t know the offense that well yet, but he is very talented and a great guy. Gartrell is young and understands concepts but just has a little way to go in terms of making major decisions during game time. He is a hard-nosed running back, though, who loves contact.
BBV: Last season was disappointing for the team as a whole, missing the playoffs. The inability of the running game to live up to what it had done the past few seasons was part of that. Your thoughts on why the running game was not as successful in 2009 as it had been in previous seasons?
Ware: I don’t think it was bad. In terms of statistics, we weren’t that far off. Defense is just putting more guys in the box than they were because they didn’t expect our WRs to be so good. Next year, we’re going to work on opening that back up like we should.
BBV: Is there something you bring to the table that you think separates you from all the other backs the Giants currently have?
Ware: A lot of energy and enthusiasm. But we’re all like brothers and I think we all bring a lot to the table.
BBV: In all the years you have been playing, high school, college, pro, whatever do you have an absolute favorite moment on the football field?
Ware: I’d say my touchdown against Minnesota last year because we were losing and it was my first regular-season touchdown and it took a lot of fight and stretching to get down there.
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Concerning
the draft, I’m probably most intigued by what the Giants will do (if anything )re the RB situation. On paper, with the guys we’ve got it looks okay. Of course, the two RBs who have more less proven themselves are coming off injuries as is Brown, untested, as basically are DJ and G. Will the Giants stand pat? Can a couple of these guys come through? Will the Giants try to trade BJ or Bradshaw? Or…?
George
All of those are legit questions. How they handle running back will be very interesting.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 10, 2010 8:30 AM EST up reply actions
I think if the
the top tier 3 offensive lineman, McClain (who i’m not a huge fan of because of his system), Dan Williams are off the board and CJ Spiller is sitting there…the Giants have to take him.
BPA and that’s really all there is too it unless Eric Berry by some miracle of God slips to 15 too. Spiller would allow them to release or trade Hixon who I think just doesn’t use his full potential. Spiller automatically becomes our returner and pass-catching back…something we haven’t had in a lonnnnng time.
BPA is the way to go
and you’re right, with those players off the board, Spiller would be the BPA. I doubt, though, he gets by Jacksonville at 10. They lacked the RB to pair with Jones-Drew this past year. I wasn’t sold on the selection of Spiller to begin with, but when we picked up Rolle, I am completely on board now if he is there. (que some gloating by Free here) We could use Spiller well. I am not sold on McClain either. I like the idea of trading Hixon, if we were to get Spiller. That opens a WR spot on the roster for Barden.
I think some of that can be blamed on Killdrive
He doesn’t really use pass catching backs in his system
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 11, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Very good questions George...I read the team report and TC says everybody is 'On Track'
To getting healthy..but I’m not sure what ‘On Track’ really means..I assume that is good news, but it could also be just smoke…This was a very interesting exchange Ed had with DJ..but I would rather see him show us something on the football field instead of twitting, tweeting, twirping, texting, blah blah blah..I don’t care about his cooking skills either..let us see him play football..and that ‘scouting assessment’ he gave about Gartrell and Brown?..Who cares about hearing from a guy who put himself in TCs doghouse talking about other running backs?
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
I think you're being overly negative about Ware
He was just answering Ed’s questions, and I think he would love to show us something on the football field now if he could but there aren’t any games going on.
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 11, 2010 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
Can all these guys stay healthy?
and will the Giants be comfortable going in with that idea?
I still say someone like Spiller, maybe even Best…would allow them to cover their cornholes in case all 4 got hurt again, but even if all 4 are healthy, Spiller can return kicks and just be a weapon as he learns the offense.
There’s no questioning these 4 (at least the brief time I saw Andre Brown) are all talented.
Also, in the case of someone like Spiller or Best, all these dudes aren’t HR threats like him. I don’t think the Giants have ever had someone that fast on the team.
I dunno about RB. I know Jake and Bradshaw..I just know they’re gonna get hurt. They haven’t been healthy their whole careers. Then they’re gonna lean on Brown and Ware? Will they be healthy?
Master of the squeegee
Spiller is a change of pace back
He’s not an every down back. We’ve already got a shifty change of pace back in Bradshaw, who I like a lot. Even with a broken foot and a list of other ailments the guy was getting it done. I was very unhappy with Jacobs production last year though. He got soft. Our offense did best when it had a hammer with a change of pace. We still have the change of pace, we lost our hammer. I’d rather see us pick someone up that can replace what Jacobs used to be. Either Jacobs gets pushed by that to get back to being the dominant player he was and we just have another solid runner in the rotation, or Jacobs doesn’t get it in gear and we send him packing. I’m big on Toby Gerhart as a guy to bring in (probably 2nd round) and either push or replace Jacobs. I know I’m probably a minority there.
I like Gerhart too.
I like Tiki Barber and I miss Tiki’s RB style. I think Spiller could develop into a complete back like that, but wouldn’t have to right away.
His pass catching is elite too. He’s just an all around weapon that no…not even AB is as fast as him.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 10, 2010 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
Fast vs. Quick
Bradshaw is more quick than fast. I prefer a shifty back rather than a straight line burner as my change of pace. That’s because I like the one two of a hammer that gets defenses into setting their feet hard and a shifty back that comes in and dekes them out of the cleats. I’m not saying Spiller is a slouch or that I’d be upset if we got him. He’s just not necessarily the best fit for what the Giants have done in the past and what I want them to do in the future. There is nothing saying that the Giants don’t change that strategy though. Gilbride has always really preferred a passing scheme over power running (and he now has a recieving corps to do that with) and Spiller would better fit that system.
All we need
Is for them to be relatively healthy, i mean seriously the Giants were a traveling hospital last year, we had 3 running backs with leg problems one who wore two protective boots thru the week until sunday, a rookie who tore his acl, one whos elbow slipped out of place and so on…….. my point is if we can just have them all at 80%-90%, we would be a diff team. i have never seen a team with so many injuries still control their destiny for the most part until the last two games……this strangely gives me hope because i dnt think it can get any worst from an injury and effort standpoint than last year.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
If Ware
Doesn’t step his game up in training camp, he’s probably a goner. I was rooting for him but he was definitely dealt a bad hand last season.
If by some chance the Giants do draft a RB, especially if it’s Spiller or Best, then Ware will most likely be cut.
"I'm not a scratch golfer. I don't know how to bowl. I can't read the stock market. Hell, I have a hard time rememberingmy wife's cell phone number. But I can call 'Flip right double X jet 36 counter naked waggle at 7 X quarter' in my sleep" - Gruden
And..
He somehow got in the doghouse late in the season, didn’t dress for at least one game, maybe two? He might be a goner, could be the RB version of S. Moss?
by Great Gatsby on Mar 10, 2010 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
I'm starting to warm up
to the CJ Spiller idea. How great would it be to have a game breaker returning kicks and a homerun threat for Eli out of the backfield? He could be like a Brian Westbrook (in his prime). He could help open up things for our WR’s.
Wow To Free
I’ve never seen a one man propaganda machine slowly change the minds of so many people the way FreeBradshaw has about Spiller. I was one of the first to agree, if Spiller is the BPA, then the Gmen should nab him. No sense in reaching for someone who will make less of an impact than Spiller just because of position. I just had to commend your patience and determination in the face of the howling hoardes Free…
LOL word....
Free is changing voters minds through his eloquent posts like Barack. Barack OBradshaw!
Nah but seriously i’m still against BPA so high in the draft. Now i hesitate to argue too loudly on this topic because i’m an admittedly ignorant college ball guy. i know next to nothing about college sports in general. So for me to argue McClain over Spiller, would be ridiculous.
My one argument, and i made it before to free, is the fact that we have two very talented RBs, and an unknown entity in Andre Brown(forget ware). To draft Spiller would be akin to giving up on A Brown, after only 1 lost season. Because lets face it. they draft Spiller at 15, A Brown is never seeing the field in any meaningful situation.
I understand the BPA argument, but i’ve always had the mentality to use the high rounds to address IMMEDIATE needs, and the later rounds to draft BPA. Lets remember that we’re not married to 15; if Spiller is the BPA, why not trade that pick down to a team in need of Spiller, and get that lower 1st rounder and a 2nd back. more draft picks for you draftniks(build through the draft).
Also, lets finally not forget that we still have 2 pieces of the number 1 rushing team 2 years removed. Them being hurt and ineffective one year IMO is not cause to blow it all up. I’ve read numerous things here about trading big boy, or cutting him, drafting Spiller, promoting Abrad….etc. Really jumping the gun here to me. We’re not talking over the hill 30+ Thomas Jones type backs here. We’re talking about Earth…and Wind…..remember when we loved them?
I 100% agree
with everything you say here. Let’s also not forget that we were blaming a lot of the running game problems during the season last year on the O-Line. All this blame on BJ losing his mojo and AB’s injuries is shortsighted. We have plenty of talented RBs while at the same time we have TONS of holes to fill on defense. BPA is great and all, but there are going to be some very highly rated defensive players at #15 (or in a trade down) that the Giants NEED desperately.
I agree that it may look like its ‘giving up’.
But the biggest point about Spiller is that even if miraculously for the first time in their brief careers…Jacobs and Bradshaw actually play 16 games as healthy as a RB can be (can anyone convince me this will ever happen?) and/or Danny Ware and Andre Brown are capable as backups….then, Spiller can be a KR. He could even just get in a few games here and there.
He could be the Giants Percy Harvin, except..well, used more like Percy at Florida instead of a slot burner (tho maybe do that too)
The problem with Earth and Wind…too many earthquakes have shattered the ground, and the climat changes just don’t seem to make the wind go like it used to.
I’m indifferent on the RB situation. They could either be compacent with the 4 of them. Or they could just say fk it, Jake and AB WILL get injured, and I dunno if I trust AB^2 and Ware as the top 2.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 10, 2010 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
So spend a #15
on a kick returner? Sorry, that seems like such a huge waste when there are so many holes to fill. And you are assuming both BJ and AB will be hurt at the same time? That’s like lightning hitting someone twice, 2 years in a row.
Plus, how do we know if Ware & Brown are not capable if they’ve never been given a chance? You need to convince ME that they will never amount to anything based on the little time that we’ve seen them.
Love this though … “too many earthquakes have shattered the ground, and the climate changes just don’t seem to make the wind go like it used to.” … LOL, awesome.
if you look at it like that..then no..simply a KR is not a good idea at #15.
But that’s the “best case scenario” that takes into account Jake, AB, Brown and Ware are all 100% at all times.
I never said don’t given them the chance…tho Ware pretty much had all the chance in the world with 8 games left and Jacobs with a torn MCL and Brashaw with 2 waiting to be broken feet.
Brown deserves a chance…Ware I think got his.
So…Jacobs, Bradshaw and Brown. One’s never player, the other 2 are never healthy.
Should one go down…then Spiller’s not a kick returner, he’s our RB.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 10, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
No. 15 is too high to spend on an insurance policy
wouldn’t you much rather trade down, and have an extra pick instead?
The only non “insurance policy” picks IMO would be MLB if they want someone to just play over Goff..or safety cuz KP’s not ready (both seem like insurance polices that way too…)
If they go OL, DT, DE..or whatever, isn’t that “insurance”? I don’t think its set a rook OL, DT or DE will start…we got starters there who would have to get injured for the rook to play.
Same goes for RB. Spiller is different cuz he can make a difference on one single play…by scoring a TD from anywhere on the field.
If they can trade down…yea, I’d like to see that. But that’s not so easy usually.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 10, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
isnt Spiller a big name back though?
if he fell to us i’d think the remaining 17 teams behind us, someone would have interest in him, no? Draft and trade, that’s an option.
Insurance vs planning
There is a big difference between insurance and planning for the future. If they go LB in the first they are looking for someone who can compete to get a starting job year one. LB is a position where rookies can make an impact as starters. If you go OL you might be in the back of your mind hoping he can be an instant starter, but really you are laying a foundation for the future. The opportunity to pick high draft OL is rare. I don’t think we go DL in the first because we don’t have the need, and I don’t think we go RB in the first. Spiller is good, but not such a rare talent that he warrants wasting a 1st just on insurance.
the thing about “LB in the first” is that there probably is a “LB in the 2nd” who can do the same, and that’s make an impact.
I think you all are missing on the Spiller is “just insurance” type thing.
He’s not, I’d put some dough on him being that #3 back and challenging AB for the #2 back.
That’s why “worst case scenario” for Spiller at least, is that he’s #4 or 5 on the chart and merely the KR, so he’s insurance for the future.
That’s actually “best case” for the Giants…..cuz it means the top RB’s are actually healthy for once in their careers.
But I’d bet that Kenny Phillips has a better chance of playing 16 games in 2010 then Jacobs or Bradshaw.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 10, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree
I really don’t think what will be there in the 2nd for LB is equal to what will be there in the 1st.
A first round pick for a #3 back? Even that is a waste in my book. If you are burning a 1st rnd pick on a back you better be damn sure he will at least be the #2 and possibly a starter in my book. A #3 back and a good KR can be had far further down the draft board.
agree to disagree then.
Maybe Weatherspoon is the MLB you refer to. But I don’t see him as better then Jamar Chaney.
Spiller is an impact player. The Giants need 2, probably 3 solid backs with their injury history. If they get one with the all around skill that Spiller has, even better.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 10, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Spiller is much more than a kick returner
Clemson receivers the last two years had hands of stone so Spiller caught a lot of deep passes in addition to running out of the backfield for big yardage and catching a ton of screens, many of which he took for huge yardage. He was virtually the entire offense at Clemson last year but even with everyone keying on him he still had a bunch of 300 total yard games. Plus he is a true game breaker on kickoffs and punt returns. He runs at “ludicrous” speed.
by giant fan since 57 on Mar 10, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
preaching to the choir
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 10, 2010 7:07 PM EST up reply actions
we understand that 57
but you draft him, you might as well cut andre brown. because his giants career would be over.
that's not true....
Danny Ware, yes.
Not AB^2. Brown’s actually a KR/PR too (or was in college early on) so he could do that.
The inevitable Jacobs and/or Bradshaw injury would get him on the field too.
If Jake gets hurt early, and like he said this year…probably should’ve gotten surgery after week 1…..well, there we go. Still got 3 strong RB’s.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 12, 2010 8:43 AM EST up reply actions
Spiller would be a nice pick up
I hope Jacksonville does not pick him. MJD and Spiller would be a scary combination. We could pickup a decent MLB in the 2nd round to learn behind Goff or a FA and a DT in the 3rd, I would be happy with that.
Ed...good job landing DJ
i’m glad you went right to business w/ Question #2….seemed like a lot of folks on this board had already written DJ off, but the kid is a class act.
yeah, he likes to talk but I think TC unnecessarily threw him under the bus, and his response was professional and well put.
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
Yeah, Ware is a good guy
Unfortunately for him, though, I think he may have already missed the boat with the Giants.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 10, 2010 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
He's dead in the water...
i haven’t seen Coughlin throw someone under the bus like that since he replaced Fassel and basically called his training camp “camp cupcake”….accused him of too many players ending the season on IR….
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
I don't think he answered that work ethic question very good at all..
He skipped over that question faster than a flat rock skips across a pond..DJ..We hear what your saying…start playing…We don’t need cooks, they have concession stands..We need running backs.
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
the fact that Ed brought up question #2
and DJ didn’t get up and walk out/hang up IMO enough for me to like the guy.
it’s not his fault he got injured…yes, it is his fault that he fumbled 1 ball this year…and that’s why old man Coughlin has pretty much wrote him off….and i think that’s unfair.
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
Well yes your right there..
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
yeah....DJ is/was Water apparently...
the best part is hearing him explain why he’s water….if you have about 10 minutes I think it will make sense.
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
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