Offseason Breakdown: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys hope free agent acquisition Brandon Carr (No. 39) can help solidify a secondary that finished 23rd in the league in yards allowed last year. (Matthew Emmons/US Presswire)

With NFL training camps just around the corner, were taking a team-by-team look at how the offseason played out and what you can expect in 2012. Click here to read them all.

On Nov. 6 of last year, the Cowboys kicked off a four-game win streak by downing the Seattle Seahawks. One week later, the Giants stumbled in San Francisco, lifting the lid on a four-game losing streak.

All signs pointed to Dallas pulling away in a very mediocre NFC East and returning to the playoffs after missing out in 2010.

That all changed in Week 13, though. Despite a lethargic effort on the road at Arizona, Dallas was in position to pull out its fifth straight victory. But at the end of regulation, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett inexplicably iced his own kicker prior to a potential game-winning field goal. Dan Bailey then missed the 49-yarder, Arizona went on to win in overtime, and the Cowboys lost four of their final five games including a 31-14 shellacking in the Meadowlands in Week 17, which gave the Giants the division crown.

Dallas looks like a favorite in the NFC East again. As owner Jerry Jones said just a few weeks ago, however, the window might be closing on the Cowboys aging core.

2011 Record: 8-8 (third place, NFC East) Key Additions: CB Brandon Carr, CB Morris Claiborne, LB Dan Connor, DE Tyrone Crawford, G Nate Livings, QB Kyle Orton, S Brodney Pool, FB Lawrence Vickers Key Subtractions: TE Martellus Bennett, S Abram Elam, CB Terence Newman, WR Laurent Robinson Team Strengths: QB, RB, WR, CB, OLB Team Weaknesses: OL, DE

Three Things to Watch:

1. Has the interior of the offensive line been fixed?: During the 2010 season, the Cowboys lined up Andre Gurode at center with Leonard Davis at right guard and Kyle Kosier on the left. Last season, Dallas featured a Montrae Holland-Phil Costa-Kosier interior for the majority of its games.

The drop-off was severe.

Continued here:
Offseason Breakdown: Dallas Cowboys