IRVING, Texas – As the Cowboys focus on the offseason, training camp is still in sight.
Coming off two straight 8-8 seasons and three full seasons removed from the playoffs, the Cowboys have plenty of question marks surrounding them as they prepare for the 2013 season.
As we count down the days to camp, the writers of DallasCowboys.com will take a different question each day that is hovering over this team.
With eight days until the Cowboys take the field in Oxnard, Calif., today's question centers on getting over the .500 level the last two years.
8) Can Cowboys Finally Get Over Mediocre 8-8 Level?
Based off the Cowboys' last two seasons, they seem like they would make good carpenters. They seemingly know how to use a level. Sometimes the season leans one way, then they've got it leaning the other. And by the end of it all, it's right there even with an 8-8 records.
But this team isn't about hanging pictures, but rather getting into the playoffs – a place that has eluded the Cowboys since 2009.
The Cowboys have been 8-8 the last two years, which obviously hasn't been good enough for the postseason.
Heading into training camp, that's one of the biggest questions about this year: can they improve off that eight-win plateau?
Obviously they can. These games are close enough where the ball can bounce a little differently. Then again, as quickly as the Cowboys can be 10-6, they could possibly be 6-10.
Sticking with our numerical journey to training camp, let's take a closer look at the number 8:
- The Cowboys franchise has been to the most Super Bowls from the NFC with eight. They are tied league-wide with the Steelers, whom they have faced in the big game three times.
- Troy Aikman is easily the best player to ever wear No. 8 both in Cowboys history and he makes a good case in NFL history as well. The Hall of Famer is and likely will be the last player to don the jersey number for the Cowboys.
- Greg Ellis was the No. 8 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. That was the year the Cowboys decided to pass on Randy Moss and take the safer, less controversial pick.
- Michael Irvin and Drew Pearson are tied for the Cowboys' record for postseason touchdown catches with eight each. Pearson played in 22 playoff games to Irvin's 16.
- Marion Barber had eight 100-yard rushing games in his career, which ranks tied for six with Julius Jones.
- Emmitt Smith went to eight Pro Bowls with the Cowboys. He was recently tied by Jason Witten for second-most among offensive players in franchise history, trailing only Larry Allen (10).
