a coaching change, that would've meant a new defensive coordinator as well as a new offensive system for Romo at age 30.
Now, what can improve?
It'll be tough to add much in free agency. The top priorities would appear to be re-signing their own guys and adding more talent through the draft.
On offense, they've got to keep developing an O-line farm system for the day Flozell Adams leaves or someone gets injured again. Felix Jones needs to be a 12-to-15-carry-a-game guy every single week. He averaged 6.0 yards on 13.2 carries in the final six games, including playoffs. Roy Williams needs to be more involved, and Kevin Ogletree's package of plays should expand because his speed is a weapon. Jason Garrett can find ways to get him on the field without taking Patrick Crayton off the field too much, because he's a guy Romo trusts.
On defense, more takeaways would leave a shorter field for the offense. On special teams, they need to find a kicker they trust. And if Felix's offensive role increases, drafting a return guy might be a good move.
And assuming the roster doesn't change much, that means players just have to keep getting better, too. They wouldn't have won the division without the development of Mike Jenkins and Anthony Spencer. This is an important off-season for young guys like Jason Williams, Brandon Williams, Victor Butler and Mike Hamlin.
Should the Cowboys be tabbed contenders next season? Absolutely. Will they be in the Saints' position this time next year? Impossible to say, and the regular season won't be easy with road games at Indianapolis, Green Bay, Minnesota, Arizona and Houston. The retirement of Kurt Warner and possibly Brett Favre would help matters.
The Cowboys got close in 2009. They want to get that much closer in 2010. Remember, the big game's only a short drive down 360 to Arlington next February.
