How Much Better Will The Cowboys' Offense Be In 2012? If At All?

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - We can no longer bitch about Terence Newman being embarrassed as a human hurdle by Giants' tight end Bear Pascoe. Alan Ball can no longer be blamed the blown coverage. Montrae Holland's bean-bag body is no longer the punch-line for the joke of an offensive line.

Nope, the Cowboys will different in 2012. But will they be better.

After signing NFL free agents, drafting seven players and signing 21 undrafted rookies, the Cowboys have the makings of the roster they will take to Oxnard, California for training camp in July.

Let's break it down position-by-position on offense – defense to come next week – and see if there's improvement, or merely change.

 QUARTERBACK

2011: Tony Romo; Jon Kitna; Kyle Orton; Stephen McGee

2012: Tony Romo Kyle Orton; Stephen McGee

Better. With better protection and even further grounded mindset as a father, Romo should be healthier and happier – and even more productive – than his 4,000-yard, 31-touchdown, punctured-lung season. Orton a younger, better player than Kitna.

FULLBACK

2011: Tony Fiametta

2012: Lawrence Vickers

Better. While Fiametta was decent, Vickers is an above-average receiver who cleared holes in Houston for Arian Foster.

RUNNING BACK

2011: DeMarco Murray; Felix Jones; Phillip Tanner

2012: DeMarco Murray; Felix Jones; Phillip Tanner

Same. Will Murray be better in his second season or will the effects of that gruesome broken leg retard his development?

 TIGHT END

2011: Jason Witten; Martellus Bennett; John Phillips

2012: Jason Witten; John Phillips; James Hannah

Better. I know the Cowboys claim Bennett was a great blocker, but his hands also cost Romo interceptions and his lack or urgency only weakened the position. Hannah, the rookie from Oklahoma, has the athleticism to make big plays down the field.

 RECEIVER

2011: Miles Austin; Dez Bryant; Laurent Robinson

2012: Miles Austin; Dez Bryant; Kevin Ogletree

Worse. Robinson caught 11 touchdowns before signing with Jacksonville as a free agent. Ogletree has been given this job twice and lost it. Fifth-round draft pick Danny Coale from Virginia Tech is said to be a poor man's Wes Welker.

OFFENSIVE LINE

2011: Doug Free; Derrick Dockery; Phil Costa; Kyle Kosier; Tyron Smith

2012: Tyron Smith; Mackenzy Bernadeau; Phil Costa; Nate Livings; Doug Free

Better. Smith is a monster and Free is back on the right side, where he was spectacular in 2010. Costa needs to get stronger to protect Romo from in-his-face pressure. Bernadeau and Livings better be worth their free-agent money.

 KICKER

2011: Dan Bailey

2012: Dan Bailey

Same. You'd think Bailey would get better in his second season. But with handling kickoffs full-time and without David Buehler pushing him, you never know. He's a kicker, after all.