The Dallas Cowboys missed the 2011 NFL playoffs by one win, or more accurately, by losing to the New York Giants twice during the season. The Cowboys now look to rebound in 2012 with a more experienced team and Jason Garrett entering his second full season as the head coach of the franchise. Here is a look at how the Dallas Cowboys' offensive unit should look in 2012.
Quarterback
In 2011, Tony Romo finished the best season of his career. He threw 31 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions and finished the season with a quarterback rating of 102.5. What that tells me is that Romo had nothing to do with the Cowboys missing the playoffs in 2011. Sure, he made some mistakes throughout the year, specifically against the Detroit Lions, but he did what he could to help Dallas win. He will be back as the starter in 2012 and there is no reason to think he should leave. At the moment, Stephen McGee is his backup but there is a good chance Dallas tries to find a veteran to join the team as well.
Running Backs
DeMarco Murray earned the right to be the number one running back thanks to his play in 2011. However, I believe he needs to enter training camp in 2012 and compete with Felix Jones for the job. I have no doubt that Murray will win this competition but it is something that is the right thing to do. Dallas should enter 2012 with Murray, Jones and Philip Tanner as the running backs. The one free agent here is Tony Fiammetta and Dallas needs to do everything in their power to re-sign him.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Dallas has to re-sign Laurent Robinson. I know Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are the starters but Robinson is the best player of the three for two reasons. Number one, Austin is an injury risk every year. Number two, Bryant is a bonehead. Re-sign Robinson and you have a great three receiver set. Then bring back Jesse Holley and Dwayne Harris for depth.
As for tight ends, Jason Witten is still the man but I believe Martellus Bennett will leave on his own free will to become a starter somewhere else. That leaves John Phillips as the backup and Dallas should either find a cheap blocking tight end on the free agent market or late in the draft.
Offensive Line
The Dallas offensive line from 2011 had three first year starters at the position. I also believe they began to shap into a decent unit by the end of the season. The two exceptions were Doug Free, who had a horrible season giving up more sacks than anyone else, and Phil Costa, who was too small to play center. Dallas needs to find a new center, possibly via the draft, and make it someone bigger and better than Costa. Bill Nagy is still a question mark thanks to his injuries. I like Tyron Smith on the right side but Dallas needs someone better than Free on the left. Outside of the secondary, this is something Dallas needs to focus on in the NFL Draft.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and has been a Dallas Cowboys' fan since he was a child. His favorite players range from Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett to the Triplets of the 90s and he enjoys talking about all Cowboys' related news, good or bad
