Williams, Ware expanding their horizons

SAN ANTONIO -- Five observations on the Dallas Cowboys, gleaned from the team's practices:

Strong safety Roy Williams looks like a different player. On May 1, he weighed about 245 pounds. He reported for camp at 221 pounds, and he's actually looked decent in coverage. He had the play of the day Saturday, when he made a diving interception on a Tony Romo pass intended for Jason Witten. Wade Phillips is hoping the presence of veteran free safety Ken Hamlin will free up Williams to make plays near the line of scrimmage. He'll line up a lot more in the box, and Phillips is planning to bring him on a variety of different blitzes.

Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware said he feels "unleashed" in Phillips' 3-4 defensive scheme. The Cowboys will move him from side to side to keep him away from the tight end. With veteran Greg Ellis still nursing an injury, Ware is the only proven pass-rushing threat the Cowboys have. Phillips will call for a variety of stunts, making it easier for Ware to get to the quarterback. He has been overwhelming at times during camp, and the coaches think he's capable of having a 14-sack season. And I swear he told me he was going to play some middle linebacker in the nickel defense, although I didn't see him do it in practice.

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