Yea, but we couldn't pay him that money.
And I know I'll catch shit for it, especially from my good pal [MENTION=14]NoDak[/MENTION], but I'm kinda glad he's not here.
The new toughness and mentality this team has is a result of so many new faces and guys with no prior history here, IMO. Ware was an amazing talent and probably the best pass rusher in team history, but he was a softie with no leadership ability at all. If he were here, Rolando McClain may not have stepped into the leadership role the way he has and guys may not have gravitated towards him if Ware were here simply out of respect. He'd be looked at as the elder statesman, and rightfully so, and McClain's impact in the locker room would not have been the same.
On both sides of the ball, there are very few holdovers from an era that might be the most humiliating in team history, and I can't say I was sad to see any of our older players leave, no matter how talented they may have been.