DeMarcus Ware and 10 NFL Players Dominating on Bad Teams

The NFL's premier pass rusher is just one of many players who are dominating the opposition in 2011, despite plying their respective trades for bad teams.

The fact that DeMarcus Ware is continuing to terrorise quarterbacks around the league should come as no surprise.

Ware is joined by other dependable veterans whose stellar performances can still be relied upon, even though their teams are stuttering through the schedule.

There are also some younger players who are already proving they are a cut above many of the mediocre players and underachievers they share a roster with.

Here is a list of 10 players, including the relentless Ware, who are dominating for bad teams.

10. Chris Long, DE, St. Louis Rams

Proving that 2010 was no fluke, St. Louis Rams star Chris Long is rapidly becoming one of the finest pass rushing defensive ends in the game.

Long destroyed the New Orleans Saints offense in the Rams upset win last week.  He took down Drew Brees three times, taking his season tally to six.

The fourth-year pro combines tremendous power with a quick takeoff and great closing speed.  Long is always a threat to collapse the edge of any pass protection scheme and continues to refine and improve his game under the influence of head coach Steve Spagnuolo.

9. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings

The dominating play of Jared Allen has been one of the few positives for a Minnesota Vikings team which has surprisingly struggled in their first full season under Leslie Frazier.

Allen leads the league with 12.5 quarterback takedowns for the sack-happy Vikings.  He may not be everybody's favourite player, but Allen remains relentless when coming off the edge.  He still possesses one of the quickest first steps in the game.

It's hard to argue with the consistency of a player who has amassed an eye popping 52.5 sacks since joining the Vikings in 2008.

8. Chris Clemons, DE, Seattle Seahawks

Chris Clemons continues to excel in the "elephant" style, roving pass rusher role for Pete Carroll's defense.  The former Philadelphia Eagle has five sacks so far this season, two passes defensed and one forced fumble.

Clemons is the only fearsome pass rush threat on the Seattle Seahawks defense and is on his way to matching his impressive debut season in the NFC West, when he tallied 11 sacks.

The 6'3" 254 pounder has worked to make himself more of a physical presence against the run, and the ex-Gerogia standout has been a force in the Seahawks' rush defense at times this season.

7. Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers

Another former Georgia bulldog out to prove he is more than a one season wonder, Charles Johnson is the single dominant player on a struggling Carolina Panthers defense.

Johnson has moved to the weakside and utilised his potent combination of deceptive quickness and straight ahead strength to notch seven sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.

The stout, 6'2" 275 pound defensive end is usually the first to the ball, evidenced by his 21 solo tackles, an impressive tally for a lineman.

6. Joe Haden, CB, Cleveland Browns

One of the reasons so many teams take to the ground against the Cleveland Browns defense, is the play of smart, second-year cover man Joe Haden.

The 22-year-old has yet to record an interception, but is rarely tested by the opposition.  Haden has already registered 10 pass breakups, 20 solo tackles and one sack.

Haden is definitely a player on the rise, and he has the ability to develop into one of the best corners in the league.

5. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys

One thing the legendary Bill Parcells could always do was identify players who would thrive in the 3-4 defense.  DeMarcus Ware represents Parcells' last truly great success.

Since entering the league in 2005, the former Troy defensive end has totalled 92 sacks and has been the league's finest pass-rusher throughout his career.

The greatest thing about Ware is that he is a guarantee.  When watching any Dallas Cowboys game, you know with certainty that somewhere along the line, Ware is going to get the quarterback.

In terms of defensive dominance, he is this generation's Lawrence Taylor, and despite the fact that he plays for the Cowboys, long may his dominance continue.

4. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

It's almost impossible not to be impressed by the awesome start Cam Newton has made to his pro career.  The former Auburn sensation was expected to struggle early on, but instead, Newton has set the league alight, torching every defense put in his way.

His 87.1 passer rating and 2,393 yards through the air after eight games, are phenomenal numbers for any rookie.  But it is Newton's exploits on the ground that are the most impressive.

The 6'5" 244 pound gunslinger has rushed for 319 yards at a 5.1 average and scored a whopping seven touchdowns.

It's not as if NFL teams didn't know about Newton's exploits as a scrambler in college, and still nobody can corral the No. 1 overall pick when he takes off on a run.

3. Fred Davis, TE, Washington Redskins

Previously under-performing tight end Fred Davis has been the most productive player on a struggling Washington Redskins offense.  This is despite being the unit's only truly standout player.

Davis has amassed 517 yards receiving and provided the Redskins with consistent big play ability.  Despite his 6'4" 258 pound frame, Davis manages to routinely stretch the field.

If the Redskins could only find a running game or another receiver to share the burden and ease the pressure on Davis, then the talented tight end could reasonably expect to exceed 1,000 yards by season's end.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite being the lone offensive weapon for the Jacksonville Jaguars, stout rushing dynamo Maurice Jones-Drew is still managing to pile up the yards.

Jones-Drew is second in the league with 740 yards and still manages to fulfill his role as the workhorse for Jacksonville's offense.

Not bad going for a player who is routinely greeted with eight and nine man fronts on a weekly basis.

1. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

The NFL's best wide receiver has needed only 34 receptions to surpass 600 yards and boasts an impressive 17.7 yards per catch average.

Even though he draws the most attention from opposing defenses, Fitzgerald continues to be a thorn in the side of every secondary he comes up against.

His route running is as precise as ever and his hands are still excellent.  No matter how defensive coordinators scheme to try and control him, there is just no stopping Fitzgerald.

The players on the list continue to dominate the opposition every time they take the field, whether they are established veterans or fast rising stars.  It is up to their respective franchises to provide these players with a proper supporting cast.