Add outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware to the list of those who believe that a full offseason with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will play a pivotal role in the Dallas defense improving from a lackluster season in 2011.
Last season of course, the longest work stoppage in league history wiped all mini-camps and OTAs from the schedule, leaving players to work out on their own and prohibiting contact between they and the coaches. This was a blow for the defense more than the offense, as they were charged with picking up a new defense chock full of idiosyncrasies.
Whether this lack of an offseason was what was wrong with the defense in 2011, we don’t know. But it couldn’t have helped.
"I don't think you can really wrap it around one thing or one player or somebody's playing not to their potential," Ware said, per the Dallas Morning News. "You got to look at the whole team, just in general and assess, 'What did we do not as well in that game? How can we improve?'
"And I think there's going to be a big improvement having Rob Ryan for a whole another year, knowing his system, knowing what's really going on. Having Jason Garrett, the leader, that motivational guy for us. I think it's going to all just pan out next season."
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