IRVING, Texas – For the first time since 2004, the Dallas Cowboys will have a right-side pass rusher not named DeMarcus Ware to open the regular season.

After the Cowboys released Ware, the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks, they signed Mincey, who had two sacks in 10 games last season for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos.

Mincey is not looking at it as if he is replacing Ware, but getting the chance to play a position in which he can attack the passer more than he has in the last few seasons.

The Cowboys will use him as the right defensive end in the base defense and he will likely move inside to tackle in the nickel defense, with Kyle Wilber possibly playing end.

In order to get adjusted to full-time work on the right side, Mincey dropped 12 pounds and has changed his body.

“I feel a lot better than I did a few months ago,” Mincey said. “I’ve been working hard, dieting, eating right. Flexibility is coming back. Speed is coming back. I’m just focused on having a big year for the Cowboys. I love it here.”

Ware’s game was built on speed first and power second.

“Me playing right end, I mean, I’m a power guy, basically, so it’s tougher for left tackles to handle a stronger end and I think what [the coaches] are doing is good," Mincey said. "And I’m getting back to full, to -- how do I put it? -- my whole pinnacle. I like the move.”

And the Cowboys like Mincey. He is the Cowboys' only defensive linemen other than George Selvie to have recorded a sack in 2013.

“Mince has been fantastic,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s come in here, and he works as hard as any player on our football team. Just go to practice. He has a tremendous intensity about him in everything that he does. He’s a real pro, and he’s made the guys around him better. He’s made the other defensive linemen better. He’s made the offensive linemen that he goes against better. One of the best parts of my day is when pass rush starts and we line up 77 (Tyron Smith) and 92 over there and they go at each other. He brings it every play, every day. He’s a real pro, and he’s really helped our football team.”