OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys are now seeing their top pass rusher practicing fully and completely healthy for the first time this year.
DeMarcus Ware said after participating in most drills in minicamp and OTAs, he finally feels 100 percent and is ready to get back to his old form during training camp.
"Playing at least eight games where you're not totally healthy, your mind sort of has to take over and your body's not doing what your mind's telling it to do," he said. "Now to be able to do everything, go out and play, feel whole again, it's really good. Just like Roy Jones Jr. said… 'Y'all Must Have Forgot.'"
Ware won't need a brace and said it's "no holds barred" now that he's on the field when the pads come on. He's come a long way from the outside linebacker at the end of last season that could hardly move his arm.
He's now a full-time defensive end for the first time, and after recovering from his injuries he's ready to put the end of last season and the Redskins game in Week 17 behind.
"No comment on that game," he said. "I don't even want to go back."
His focus is entirely on this season, where he will transition back to a position he played in college. He said the transition from linebacker to defensive end is much easier than the other way around. As a linebacker, he had to worry much more about dropping back in coverage and recognizing offensive fronts.
The fact that he's dealing with another defensive coordinator doesn't frustrate him, either. He said he's gathered bits and pieces from every defensive coordinator during his time with the Cowboys that can help him moving forward.
"I figured out how to be a chameleon," he said. "I think that's how I have to be out there when I'm playing, figuring out where I fit at and how I can slip and dive through the guys to make plays. Having different coaches, you learn a lot from each one of those coaches. You get your toolbox ready during training camp and bring it to the season."
Now it's all about what he does best, which is rushing the quarterback. That excites head coach Jason Garrett. [embedded_ad]
"He had a real good offseason working back from the different injuries he had," Garrett said. "He has a green light to go, but like with a lot of our players, we'll continue to monitor them, see how they do each and every day and look for spots to get them a break if they need one. He was pretty impressive in that conditioning test yesterday."
