NFL Offseason Roadmap is a series focused on the needs of NFL teams as they begin the offseason. The offseason roadmap for the Dallas Cowboys isn't as much as "what we need to do to get this team to the top" as much as it is getting over that little playoff hurdle and into a Super Bowl. When you look at it, the resources are all there. The question is getting the Ts crossed and dotting the lowercase Js.
1. Lame Duck – Let's see. How many times during the next year will we hear about Jason Garrett possibly replacing Wade Phillips as head coach? Not as much as you'll hear it if the Boys start struggling. Dallas has wanted Garrett to be in training for the head coaching job ... eventually. But like any other position on the field, the question will be when to let the young guy take the reigns. We all know that if Phillips has a problem with it, Garrett ain't the one who will be shown the door.
2. Roy Williams – The man so popular and devestating that they have a rule named after them has become a controversial figure. Opponents loved to get him matched up in coverage to expose his lack of skills in that department. What to do? Do you change your defensive philosophy to cover his weakness or do you work with him to try to get him up to speed? I think that the latter has been tried and it isn't working out.
3. Julius Jones – Julius Jones is pretty much done in Dallas which means Marion Barber gets the full time gig. That should make Barber fans (and fantasy owners) elated. Well, except for that last game they played ... Barber's first starting job of the season. He wore out as the game went along and that devestating advantage the Cowboys had using him in the fourth quarter was gone.
4. Wide Receiver – Sure, they have Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton, already. Yep, a healthy Terry Glenn makes them dangerous. But this is an old bunch and Dallas might want to look at grooming a new guy. Obviously, Glenn is breaking down and may wondered about Crayton's motivation once he signed. Not to mention that this will be Year 3 of T.O. and you never know when that expiration date comes. They don't need anyone to step in and be the man now, but a plan of attack for 2009, 2010 and so forth. That might also allow Crayton to stop returning kicks.
5. Offensive line – What? This was one of the best units in the NFL. Still, as with the receivers, age is a factor.
