Dallas Cowboys: 5 Key Offseason Moves to Push the Cowboys into Super Bowl XLVII

The Dallas Cowboys are frequently touted as the best team not to make the playoffs every year.

Likewise, analysts often say that they're one of the most talented team in the NFL, yet they continue to fail when things matter most. Their counterparts, most notably the New York Giants, have the opposite approach.

They have a solid team, not a great one, but they gel when it matters and play remarkable football after Thanksgiving every year. Although there's great heartache to see the Giants in yet another Super Bowl, it gives Dallas a strong blueprint to succeed in following years.

Here are the five crucial offseason moves to push the Cowboys into Super Bowl XLVII next season.

Carl Nicks

Jerry Jones has salary cap space for a reason, and that reason is Carl Nicks.

Adding this stud guard will solidify the interior offensive line—a serious gap in the team over the last many years. It will finally provide Romo the protection he needs against elite pass-rushers on the other NFC East teams.

Additionally, grabbing Nicks would put a dent into Drew Brees' success, and for Cowboys fans, that's a great thing.

Nick Saban and Alabama

With April's NFL draft around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys would be suited to take as many Alabama defenders as they can get their hands on.

This starts with potentially troubled cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

Although one of these two is likely guaranteed with the first-round pick, the Cowboys would be best suited to take another cornerback or offensive lineman with their second-round pick.

Tackle Swap

What was the bigger surprise of 2011: how remarkably well Tyron Smith played, or how pathetically Doug Free played? Who knows?

But the result of 2011 is that Smith needs to take over the all-powerful left tackle spot, while Free needs to go back on the right side.

Although I am tempted to let Free go, he has shown bursts of talent and will be an above-average right tackle.

Junk Gotta Go!

It has been widely stated that Terence Newman leads the pack in players who have played their last game in a Cowboys jersey.

Oh, do not worry, he will have company. In addition to Newman, Martellus Bennett, Anthony Spencer, Kyle Kosier and David Buehler among others need to go.

Although Jerry Jones went on a purging rampage before the 2011 season, he will need to have another one in order for Dallas to take the next step forward.

Young Guns

The most important strength of the Dallas Cowboys is their set of ultra-talented young group of players.

This includes Sean Lee, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson, Tyron Smith, Orlando Scandrick and Dan Bailey.

Encouraging the healthy development of these players will be the single most important thing the Dallas coaching staff must do in order to set the stage for great future Cowboys teams through this decade.

Although there's some unnecessary flair and lack of discipline among these players, they're the foundation of the future Cowboys teams.