From 99-0, TeamFB7 is looking back on the greatest players in NFL history to don each jersey number. No ties allowed, tough decisions will be made — next is No. 94 and DeMarcus Ware.
The debate around the best No. 94 in NFL history comes down to a pair of menacing edge rushers, Dallas Cowboys legends and Hall of Famers — Charles Haley and DeMarcus Ware.
In terms of “mythology,” Haley would be the presumed favorite here, right?
After all, he was one of the final missing pieces to the Cowboys’ roster build that netted three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s — three in Haley’s first four years with the team after coming over in a trade from the 49ers.
Joining the team in 1992, Haley helped immediately transform the Dallas defense into one of the top units in the NFL as the Cowboys gave up a league-low 245.7 yards per game and the fifth-fewest points (15.2 per game) after ranking 17th in both stats the previous year.
Haley made his mark when it mattered most, too.
He had a sack and forced fumble in Super Bowl XXVII — a 52-17 demolition of the Buffalo Bills to cap that 1992 season. The next year, he had a sack and forced fumble in the 38-21 NFC championship game win over his former team the 49ers and then a half sack in the Super Bowl XXVIII rematch win over the Bills. And two years later, after missing the end of the regular season and most of the postseason due to back surgery, he returned for Super Bowl XXX and had a sack and 4 tackles in a 27-17 win over the Steelers.
That gave Haley a remarkable five Super Bowl rings overall, including two earlier with the 49ers, which is the second-most of any NFL player ever behind Tom Brady’s 7. He’s also tied with Von Miller for the all-time record for most Super Bowl sacks with 4.5.
So how is he not the choice here?
The Case For DeMarcus Ware As The Best No. 94 In NFL History
Because Ware simply had a higher overall and longer-sustained peak. He also won a Super Bowl ring in his final season, with the Denver Broncos, notching 2 sacks and 5 tackles in a 24-10 win over the Panthers in Super Bowl 50 to go out a champion.
But the totality of performance is what gives Ware the edge here.
| Years | Sacks | Tackles | Forced Fumbles | Pro Bowls | 1st-team All-Pro | 2nd-team All-Pro | |
| Haley | 1986-99 | 100.5 | 503 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Ware | 2005-16 | 138.5 | 657 | 35 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
Since sacks became an official stat in 1982, Ware is tied for ninth all-time with those 138.5 (tied with his former Broncos teammate Miller). He twice led the NFL in sacks in 2008 (20) and 2010 (15.5) and then finished second in 2011 (19.5). Haley had only one season with more than 12.5 sacks.
Ware finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2008 and fifth in 2007. Haley finished third in 1990 and fourth in 1994.
In terms of durability and consistency, Ware played every single game his first eight seasons in Dallas, had 8 sacks as a rookie and then 11 or more for seven straight years.
Two all-time greats, two Hall of Famers — but only one can be the best No. 94 in NFL history and it’s Ware.
A very honorable mention, meanwhile, goes to longtime Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan, who returns to New Orleans for his 16th and expected final season with 132 career sacks, 8 Pro Bowl selections, 1 first-team All-Pro and 2 second-team All-Pro honors.
