IRVING, Texas – DeMarcus Ware didn't have the field day against Seahawks backup left tackle Frank Omiyale that many expected.
Starting left tackle Russell Okung sat out with an injury, yet Ware didn't register a sack against the Seahawks in a 27-7 loss last weekend. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan indicated Friday that Ware might not be 100 percent.
"We all know DeMarcus isn't full speed," Ryan said. "When he is, look out."
Ware missed the rest of the preseason after tweaking his hamstring in the week leading into the second exhibition game against the Chargers. He finished with two sacks in the regular-season opener against the Giants, but was a limited participant in practice prior to the Seahawks game.
Ryan said the Cowboys will find out this week just how hampered Ware is by his hamstring.
"I know he's improving," Ryan said. "He's working on it. When he's full strength, I agree with you, he's the best in the league, and he's the best there ever was. But he's still never gotten a sack when they run the football."
In addition to his health, Ryan attributed Ware's lack of sacks to the Seahawks' propensity to use running back Marshawn Lynch. Seattle rushed 41 times and only threw 20 passes.
Whether or not he was limited, Ware still played and was credited with two solo tackles and six assists against the Seahawks. The Cowboys gave him eight solo tackles and five assists based on coaches' film, his 13 total tying a career high.
Ryan said the Cowboys got away from their anticipated game plan after falling behind early. He said he plans to pressure the quarterback more, but wants to be more efficient than a junior varsity high school defense that sends a "blitzathon" at the opposing quarterback.
"I think we're the fifth leading team at sacking the quarterback per pass attempt," Ryan said. "We're always up there because we do have great pressures, we do know when to pressure, we know how to pressure, we know how to attack protections."
