Well, here's my outlook on the offseason:
If Romo is healthy and can still play at a high level next year, then there's no reason to believe that we won't have one of the best offenses in the league again. What we did this year was no fluke, and a line like our allows us to give even the best defenses fits with our ability to hurt them both in the air and on the ground. This is something I expect to continue if Romo is ok.
We all know this team desperately needs to improve the defense. On that note, I think you have to get a starter at both DT and DE. Those 2 positions should be the top priority, followed by S, then a solid nickel corner type. Church and Wilcox aren't awful, but they aren't ever going to do anything to help you win games either. We've had average safeties for far too long, and it's time to finally get one capable of making plays. We could also use a corner. Moore was a microcosm of this entire a defense - a guy who gave you everything he had but just wasn't good enough because the talent just isn't there. Carr needs to restructure or hit the road altogether, and we need to bring in a decent replacement.
I think our LB's are pretty good and they should be even better next year if Lee doesn't miss the entire year. Hitchens was very impressive as a rookie and I expect him to get better. I would not give much money to McClain. I know he's all the rage here, and I too appreciate the toughness he brought, but his impact steadily decreased as the season went on and he missed a lot of snaps. We already have one LB who we can't rely on, so we don't need to have two guys like that.
I would bring back Carter before McClain. He showed me enough to bring him back on a decent deal. If he's willing to take 2 to 3 million a season for 3 or 4 years, then good. If he wants more, than see ya later and go find some LB depth in the draft.
As for RB, I think I'm letting Murray walk. I was not in favor of going after Peterson to replace Murray, but I am now. I was a big fan of Murray and I think he'll continue to be a good back, but I don't know if he'll continue to be great. More importantly, he lost me yesterday with that fumble. I was willing to overlook the ones from earlier in the year, but for him to lose that ball on such a huge play in such a big game.....well, that's just one too many for me. I'd rather commit a 2 year deal to AP than a 4 or 5 year deal to Murray. We can use his funds to get some quality defensive FA's going forward as opposed to soaking up more cap on top of what is certain to be a huge deal for Dez.
And finally, for as much as it sucked to lose a close game yesterday, we still have to view this season as a big time success. Not only did we win 13 games and a division title, but it was how we got there that made it that much more enjoyable. The team that always found ways to lose became the team that always found ways to win. The team that was usually the one that folded now was punching their foes in the mouth and making them quit. This season could have a very profound effect going forward, especially for so many young players we have on this team. What happened this year is something they are going to come to expect, and a winning mentality could be the norm. We have a chance to really do something special going forward so long as the front office and Garrett understand what it is that got them to this point, and continue to build the team's foundation and set aside their egos.
I don't know if we're going to be good again or if this was a lightning in a bottle year, but for the first time in a very long time, we can actually go into an offseason with hope and optimism. We just have to hope that the team makes the right decisions in the coming months.