Quarterbacks

Starter: Tony Romo
Backup(s): Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee

Starting QB: A year ago the Cowboys were a preseason favorite to contend for a Super Bowl and Tony Romo was finally being widely recognized for the excellent quarterback many of us already knew him to be. Coming off his first playoff win, with a loaded team, Romo was expected to be ascendant. Unfortunately, Romo and the Cowboys got off to a 1-5 start and then he was shelved for the remainder of the season with a broken collarbrone. Entering this season, Romo is 100% healthy, and remains among the NFC's best pure passers. A career 64% passer, his 5.7% TD rate is the best among active passers, as is his 7.4 net yards/attempt. He's elite, and should be due for a bounce back year under new head coach Jason Garrett.

Backup QB: The backup situation remains stable as the Cowboys passed on drafting another QB in the April draft. While Jon Kitna will be 39 years old this season, the Cowboys are confident in his role as Romo's backup, particularly after his heroic efforts last year in Romo's stead. In 10 games, Kitna threw for nearly 2,400 yards and 16 TDs, completing nearly 66% of his throws. He clearly has a handle on Coach Garrett's system. Stephen McGee remains as the emergency QB, although his place on the active roster remains unclear.

Running Backs

Starter: Felix Jones
Backup(s): DeMarco Murray [R], Tashard Choice
Fullback(s): Chris Gronkowski, Shaun Chapas [R]

Starting RB: Three years into the Felix Jones era and Cowboys fans are still waiting for his breakout season. Last year, in spite of playing a full 16 games, Jones managed only 800 yards rushing and 1 TD. To his credit though, he caught 48 passes and was the Cowboys most dynamic running threat on a rushing offense that took a major step backward. This year, GM Stephen Jones has made it clear Felix will be the main guy again, but will not be asked to carry the ball 20 times, either. At this point, Jones has the tools but hasn't quite put them together on Sundays. The hope is that more focus from head coach Jason Garrett, and a rebuilt offensive line, will make his 4th season evocative of why the Cowboys took him 22nd overall in 2008.

Backup RBs: Rookie DeMarco Murray was highly coveted by Jerry Jones (as was Felix a few years ago), and it's clear they intend to give him a big role right from the start. While Murray was productive on a major collegiate program, it's important to note that he only averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his final two seasons at Oklahoma. His straight line speed and ability as a receiver do argue for a compelling option as a 3rd down change of pace back, however. Tashard Choice remains in a familiar role, as the 3rd option in what's likely a 2-back committee.

Fullback: Chris Gronkowski took over the fullback role last year and will have the edge over rookie Shaun Chapas for the lone FB slot in 2011.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Miles Austin, Dez Bryant
Backups: Kevin Ogletree, Manuel Johnson, Dwayne Harris [R]

Starting WRs: Miles Austin wasn't able to duplicate his transcendent 2009 season (81 for 1,320 and 11 TDs) last year, but still led the Cowboys with 69 receptions for 1,041 yards and 7 TDs. He uses his size well, and was 3rd among NFL receivers last year in yards after the catch. Austin was at his best with Tony Romo under center, which bodes well for rebound into elite territory in 2011. Dez Bryant's rookie season was a mix of good and bad. On a positive note, he caught 45 receptions for 561 yards and 6 touchdowns and looked, at times, like a dominant, physical receiver. On a negative note, immaturity and nagging injuries cast a shadow on whether he'll ever achieve his maximum potential. Bryant missed the final four games with a broken fibula, but has looked healthy this preseason. From a pure talent standpoint, Bryant has few peers. He's strong, fast, disciplined and has excellent body control. As long as his head is on straight, he is on a short list of 2nd year receivers that could be set for a breakout.

Backup WRs: The Cowboys released Roy Williams, which is an endorsement of Kevin Ogletree's readiness to assume the 3rd receiver position. It's a major endorsement for a 3rd year receiver who has 10 career receptions. Ogletree has shown a strong work ethic, and has been able to gain separation consistently in practice. Rookie Dwayne Harris and little used Manuel Johnson round out the receiving corps.

Tight Ends

Starters: Jason Witten
Backups: Martellus Bennett, John Phillips

Jason Witten is one of the best players no one seems to talk about. Witten is coming off his third 1,000-yard season in four years (94 catches for 1,002 yards) and is as sure handed and reliable as anyone at his position. While not explosive (11.3 yards per catch), he's always in the right position and has vacuums up anything thrown in his vicinity. After two years of struggling to find the end zone (6 TDs in 175 receptions), Witten led the Cowboys with 9 scores. Martellus Bennett has a lot to prove, as a combination of off-the-field immaturity and lack of on-field productivity (a woeful 7.9 yards per catch last year) puts him on a short leash.