10 Players Most Responsible for the Dallas Cowboys' Success or Failure in 2012

The success of the 2012 Dallas Cowboys season is contingent upon a few things. Execution, discipline, game planning and, most of all, players will play a key role in taking the Cowboys to the playoff this season.

The roster is full of talented players on both sides of the ball, such as Tony Romo and DeMarcus Ware. But there are other players on the roster who may not be as talented as Romo and Ware, yet they'll play an equally vital part.

So as we slowly move toward training camp and the preseason, let's take a look at 10 players who will be responsible for Dallas' success in 2012.

Tony Romo

Well, this one is obvious. Romo plays the most important position on the field for the Cowboys, hence the reason the Cowboys went out and signed Kyle Orton.

Romo had a fantastic 2011 where he threw 31 touchdowns and for over 4,000 yards. He is in the prime of his career and has young weapons around him like Dez Bryant and Miles Austin.

What will be key for Romo and the team's success will be discipline. Decreasing the turnovers and idiotic penalties will go a long way for Dallas; let's just see if they can do it.

Dez Bryant

Bryant's growth this season will be closely watched by not only coaches, but fans and pundits as well. He had some issues with the playbook last year and would totally disappear from the second half of many of the Cowboys' games.

He is to talented not to make an impact, and if he simply lends himself fully to Garrett's system and being a more disciplined player, the sky is the limit.

Bryant has the talent and skill to develop into the team's No. 1 receiver. He will play a major role in their quest for a Super Bowl in 2012.

Tyron Smith

In his second season as starter, Smith will move to the left tackle position to protect Tony Romo's blindside. Tackle Doug Free did the job last season and was sub-par. Smith will be charged with turning into an anchor on the Cowboys line.

He has the talent, but does he have the skill to play left tackle?

If Romo is ever blindsided and injured because of a missed block by Smith, the questions will start regarding his youth and ability.

Smith has to succeed in 2012 if the Cowboys are to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Miles Austin

Austin had injury issues last year and admitted that he didn’t prepare for last year as he should have. Austin cannot do that again, and the Cowboys need everyone to be on one accord.

Austin hasn’t lived up to his contract and has to turn back into the receiving threat he was from a few seasons ago.

Bryant learning and digesting the playbook fully and Austin’s health will go a long way in the Cowboys having a great year receiving from their top two guys.

Brandon Carr

The Cowboys released Terence Newman in the offseason due to injury and age. Newman just wasn’t good anymore, and the Cowboys needed to get younger and better at the cornerback position.

Dallas overpaid for Carr—Jerry Jones said so—so it may impossible for him to live up to his $50 million contract. But while Jones’ wallet may be a little lighter, he’s hoping Carr’s skill pays off in the end.

Carr will be an upgrade over Newman, but how he fits into defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s system will be interesting to watch.

Morris Claiborne/Mike Jenkins

The Cowboys paid a lot to have Claiborne on the roster by trading up to grab in the first round. If he doesn't start right away, he will start soon. Dallas' secondary is much better by the addition of Carr and Claibrone, and keeping Jenkins only makes it stronger.

Jenkins is the team's best corner, and having him start or rotate with Claibrone should aid the Cowboys against teams with executive-type passing games such as the Saints, Giants and Steelers.

Both players will be responsible for Dallas' success, and this possible tandem will be high on the list.

Sean Lee

Lee will eventually develop into the team's top defensive talent. Ware is getting older, and while he's still at the top of his game, he will not remain there for much longer. Lee is going to be great, and as he continues to develop and get stronger, so will the presence on defense.

Last season, he led the team in tackles with 105 and will more than likely do the same in 2012. He's good in pass coverage, but needs to improve on his balance and leverage and can sometimes get lost in the pack.

Lee's growth will be important, and so will his role with the team in 2012.

DeMarco Murray

Murray fractured his ankle last season just as he was getting into a nice groove. He says that he's good to go now and ready for next season.

So are the fans.

Murray forced balance onto the offense, and because he was so good last year, Garrett had to continue to put the ball in his hands.

Same will go for this season. Murray is good in space, in the flat and his agility and power are such a weapon because he can be deceptive. Can't wait to watch him work in 2012.

DeMarcus Ware

He's the most important defensive player on the field for the Cowboys...right now. His pass-rushing abilities make him such a superior linebacker. Ware isn't just a one-trick pony, as his presence forces opposing offense to change their gameplan and work around him.

He's good at run support, and if he has a large advantage over an offensive lineman, some teams have no choice but to throw their gameplan out of the window.

Ware is still great and will continue to play at a high level for the next few years.

Anthony Spencer

Spencer wants a new contract, and if he's able to parlay 2012 into a long-term deal with Dallas, then that means he stepped his game up.

He has to give the Cowboys more than just six sacks this year if he wants a new deal. He'll also have to do more to provide better support for the team's defense. Spencer is pretty good at stopping the run, but the team wants to see a little more out of him when it comes to rushing the quarterback.

Spencer may be one of the top three or four people on the defensive side of the ball in 2012, and if he's able to grow, the Cowboys defense will be more than formidable.

*Bonus Bruce Carter/Dan Connor

These two gentlemen are fighting over the left inside linebacker position. Carter is expected to start soon, but in the interim, Connor will more than likely fill that void. Carter is still learning the defense, and the team wants to continue to bring him along slowly, as they did with Sean Lee.

Connor is a savvy veteran now and will look to prove that he's just as capable of handling the position.

I believe that Connor will start the season, and depending on how well he plays, he may end it there as well. Having two strong linebackers in the middle for Dallas continues to show just how improved it is on the defensive side of the ball.