Primarily, the biggest show of support to Romo was made getting rid of disruptive receiver Terrell Owens.

But as far as new weapons are concerned, Romo won't see an upgrade. Instead, the bulk of the lineup changes and impact additions have come on defense.

The Cowboys expect to have four new starters on defense -- all free agents -- in linebacker Keith Brooking, defensive end Igor Olshansky, safety Gerald Sensabaugh and Mike Jenkins or Orlando Scandrick at cornerback.

They also emphasized defense in the draft with five of the first seven picks used on defenders and seven of 12 total picks coming on the defensive side of the ball.

The Cowboys led the league in sacks last season. But they didn't generate a lot of turnovers and they were in the lower part of the league in points allowed.

"I hope we are progressing to be a top pass-rush team and pressure team to help us get more turnovers than we did. That's an emphasis," coach Wade Phillips said.

While the offense needed some attention -- it was productive enough to win games -- the defense needs to improve.

As such, Phillips plans to oversee the unit. A defensive-minded head coach, Phillips let coordinator Brian Stewart run his defense the past two years. Stewart has been fired and Phillips will add duties as defensive coordinator.

With Phillips going into the final year of his contract and his job on the line, the Cowboys have become as much "Phillips friendly" as anything going into the 2009 season.

In his third season, Phillips is getting more players who will be able to play the style of defense he wants to use. He is an aggressive coach who wants to keep constant pressure on the opposition's offense.

It's no coincidence that outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has developed into the league's most feared pass rusher under Phillips, who insisted the Cowboys give Ware more help.

The Cowboys added pass rushers Brandon Williams and Victor Butler in the draft to provide some push along with Anthony Spencer and Greg Ellis.

"We've come a long way pass-defense- and pass rush-wise, leading the league in sacks," Phillips said. "We are progressing the way I'd like our defense to progress. But we still need pass rushers."