Omiyale more than holds his own against Ware

ARLINGTON, Texas - It wasn't just that Frank Omiyale had to move from right tackle to left tackle when Chris Williams suffered a hamstring injury on the third play of the game Sunday.

Omiyale also had to contend with DeMarcus Ware, who is considered by some the best pass rusher in the NFL after picking up 31 sacks over the previous two seasons.

"The stress level definitely went up a couple of notches," said Omiyale, who made one start at left tackle in 2008 with the Panthers. "But you have to do your job. I wanted to win the game, and that's what I had my focus on."

Ware did not add to his impressive sack total and the Cowboys did not drop Cutler after the first series.

Initially, Kevin Shaffer took over at left tackle on the Bears' second possession, but he was flagged for a false start and holding on back-to-back plays (although the hold was negated by an offsetting Cowboys penalty). On the next series, Shaffer went to right tackle, Omiyale went to left tackle and quarterback Jay Cutler lived happily ever after, throwing for 277 yards with his best passer rating as a Bear (136.7).

Omiyale spent all last season playing guard for the Bears and started 12 games with mixed results. He was switched to right tackle in the off-season and appears more comfortable there, but left tackle is considered the more difficult position because that position usually handles the opponents' best pass rusher, as was the case Sunday.

"It can be as difficult as you make it to be," Omiyale said. "I just told myself, 'stay cool'. It's something that needs to be done, and I took pride in them feeling like I could make that change."

Cutler appreciated the job the six-year veteran did.

"Going against a guy like DeMarcus Ware, you always have to be wary of him," Cutler said. "Frank hadn't played left (tackle) in a long, long time. He had been practicing right so hard. It's tough in the middle of a game for a guy to switch over like that and then go against DeMarcus Ware. You have to be proud of his effort. I though he played phenomenal down the stretch."