By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—The Dallas Cowboys are depending on basically the same defense to be better this year after giving up a franchise-worst 436 points last season.
Ten of 11 defensive starters are back. It would be all 11 if not for Alan Ball returning to cornerback from safety, where newcomer Abram Elam takes over.
New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan inherits a group coming off an absolutely miserable season.
But Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware says there is a different mentality and motivation.
Part of the reason Dallas can expect to be better with the same players is that those same 10 starters were part of one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2009, when the Cowboys were NFC East champions and got their first playoff victory in 13 years.
