Dallas Cowboys 2009 Season Preview: Glory Days Feel Like Ages Ago

Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Tony Romo was 16 years old the last time the Dallas Cowboys won a playoff game -- Dec. 28, 1996 over Minnesota. Since then, a span of 13 seasons, America's Team has gone 0-6 in the postseason and failed to qualify for the playoffs seven times. It's a shocking drought for a franchise with the history, and more obviously, the pride that Dallas does that there has been more recent on-field success. This is a big season in Big D, for Romo, for coach Wade Phillips, for the future of the franchise. But breaking that postseason jinx won't be easy.

Offense -- Romo's entering his seventh NFL season, his fourth as Dallas' starter. If he's going to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of quarterbacks, he absolutely must take a step forward this year. The good news for Dallas is that, unlike last year when things imploded after Romo went down due to injury, there is a capable backup on the roster in Jon Kitna, formerly of Detroit. Kitna's ex-Lions teammate Roy Williams will share the spotlight with Romo. All that Williams has to do is replace Terrell Owens as the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver. Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd round out the top four WRs, but the biggest receiving threat might be tight end Jason Witten. The Marion Barber-Felix Jones running back duo could be in for a stellar season behind a steady, if unspectacular, offensive line. Heat Index: 7

Defense -- Coordinator Brian Stewart was fired in the offseason, leaving Phillips to call the defense. And just like the offense, this group has undergone some turnover. Gone are guys like Chris Canty, Greg Ellis and the other Roy Williams -- both key pieces to past defenses -- and in are Igor Olshansky, Keith Brooking and Gerald Sensabaugh, among others. DeMarcus Ware does return, along with his 20 sacks from 2008, and should be a force again. In fact, Dallas' entire linebacker group will be a nightmare to deal with. In addition to Ware and Brooking, who averaged 116 tackles the past three seasons in Atlanta, Bradie James and up-and-coming Anthony Spencer are athletic options. Olshansky, Marcus Spears and Jay Ratliff make up an adequate three-man front. The secondary played well last year, but didn't force many turnovers -- expect more of the same in 2009. Heat Index: 8

Special Teams -- The Cowboys were exceedingly average in this area last year. They finished No. 22 overall in net punt average and No. 21 in kickoff returns. The latter number could rise dramatically if Jones stays healthy and is given an opportunity. Rookie Kevin Ogletree has averaged 28.4 yards per return in three preseason games, too, so if he makes the roster, that's a bonus. Kicker Nick Folk hit on 20-of-22 field goals and all 42 extra points in 2008, while punter Mat McBriar averaged 49 yards per punt (though just 38.8 net) before going on injured reserve after six games. Heat Index: 7

Coaching -- You can talk about how overrated offensive coordinator Jason Garrett may or may not be, but the coaching staff's 2009 performance begins and ends with how Phillips does. The heat was on Phillips following 2008's 9-7 finish, and he cranked it up a couple degrees by taking over the defense. Jerry Jones has been supportive of Phillips thus far, but also reiterated the need for Dallas to win soon. Is Phillips the guy to make that happen? In eight full seasons as an NFL head coach, Phillips has won just one division title (in 2007 with Dallas), and has never won a playoff game. Heat Index: 4

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Dallas Cowboys Photos

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 29: Runnng back Felix Jones #28 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against Dre' Bly #31 of the San Francisco 49ers at Cowboys Stadium on August 29, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Felix Jones;Dre' Bly

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Dallas Cowboys Photos

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 29: Running back Kory Sheets #30 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on August 29, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kory Sheets

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San Francisco 49ers fullback Brit Miller (47) runs for extra yardage as Dallas Cowboys safety Pat Watkins (25) attempts to bring him down in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers won 20-13. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett (80) is upended by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown, bottom, as linebacker Diyral Briggs, rear, assists on the tackle following Bennett's reception in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers won 20-13. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) walks off the field following the Cowboys' preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers won 20-13. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

DALLAS - AUGUST 29: Tashard Choice #23 of the Dallas Cowboys runs against Isaac Sopoaga #90 and Mark Roman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason game at Cowboys Stadium on August 29, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tashard Choice;Isaac Sopoaga;Mark Roman

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary, center, shouts instructions to his team in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys as running backs coach Tom Rathman, left rear, and quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson, right rear, look on, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers won 20-13. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

San Francisco 49ers fullback Brit Miller, left, celebrates with running back Kory Sheets (30) following Sheets' touchdown in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The 49ers won 20-13. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Dallas Cowboys safety Courtney Brown, right, is called for interference while defending the San Francisco 49ers' Jason Hill, left, in the fourth quarter. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys, 20-13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday August 29, 2009. (Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

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Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Tony Romo, left, and Jon Kitna share a laugh during preseason action against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys, 20-13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday August 29, 2009. (Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

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Intangibles -- The Dallas faithful are desperate for a successful season -- so the pressure to win is as high as ever. And last year had to leave a bitter taste in everyone's mouth, as the Cowboys lost at home to Baltimore in Week 16, then got shellacked by 38 in Philly in Week 17 to keep Dallas out of the playoffs. Romo should be motivated to perform well after the pinky injury sidelined him last season, and Phillips will do whatever he can to aid the cause. This franchise needs a good year. Heat Index: 6

Total Heat Index: 32/50 -- The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Cowboys could be one of the NFC's best teams in 2009, but they could also struggle to an average season. The coach is under fire, the quarterback is under fire, the fans are impatient. It's nothing really new for Dallas. An NFC East title and a playoff run wouldn't really shock anyone, but it's hard to say that the Cowboys are better than the Eagles or Giants right now.