Dallas Cowboys: Can Sanity Exist?

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

You could use just about every adjective for "crazy" to describe the '08 Dallas Cowboys. At the beginning of the year, they were expected to produce, but never did. Quarterback Tony Romo struggled with injury issues and the ability to step up in big games. They still had a chance to advance to the playoffs but couldn't take down Donovan McNabb and company in the last week of the season. Oh, and Adam "Pacman" Jones and Terrell Owens were as psycho as ever. A lot needs to change in Dallas during the offseason to make the Cowboys a contender in their new stadium.

Free Agents: Miles Austin, WR (RFA), Stephen Bowen, DE (RFA), Tony Curtis, TE (RFA), Sam Hurd, WR (RFA), Cory Proctor, OL (RFA), Joe Berger, OL (UFA), Brooks Bollinger, QB (UFA), Chris Canty, DE (UFA) , Keith Davis, S (UFA), Tank Johnson, DT (UFA), Carlos Polk, LB (UFA).

Draft Picks: 2 (19), 3 (5), 4 (1, 17), 5 (21, 32), 6 (25) AND 7 (19)

Needs

1. Figure Out T.O. First -- If any team knows that distractions can take away from the goal, it is the Cowboys. Last year much was made about the feud between Owens and his teammates, and it drove Dallas fans mad (just ask my father). The team needs to figure out what to do about T.O. first before moving on, just so the headlines aren't all about him. The latest news is he is staying, and if so, it needs to be concrete before Dallas moves on with other players. Also, it wouldn't hurt to figure out a way to make Owens and Roy Williams coexist. I might be one of the few left on the planet that think those two could be scary if they ever found themselves on the same page.

2. Address the Defense -- For the first 14 weeks of the season, the defense "got by." The last two? Not so much. The Ravens and Eagles put up 77 combined points on a defense that has more holes than anyone is willing to admit. Jones didn't help an already overrated secondary, so that is a place to start. Maybe putting Wade Phillips in charge of the defense is a good move, if he could avoid the head coaching duties.

3. Get Romo Comfortable -- Last season was Romo's worst statistical year, even without the injuries. His completion percentage was down, his yards gained per pass attempt was off and his quarterback rating was low. He admitted that he needs to practice and commit more to the team, but that needs to be seen in the coming months. If Romo can find a little peace in Dallas (and maybe some tougher coaching) he might actually lead this team for the first time. If he doesn't, it could be another long year for the silver stars.

Latest Cowboys Photos

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. Jones announced that country icon George Strait will headline the first event at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington on June 6. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys shoots over NBA legend Clyde Drexler during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens;Clyde Drexler

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys holds the MVP trophy following the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Terrell Owens was named Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens

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PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys dribbles against Special K Daley of the Harlem Globetrotters during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Special K Daley;Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys shakes hands with actor Chris Tucker during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens;Chris Tucker

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PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys runs during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens

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PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Former NBA legend Magic Johnson and Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys joke around during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens;Earvin Johnson

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys and former NBA player Dominique Wilkins joke around during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dominique Wilkins;Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys wears a costume prior to the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images