In analyzing the Cowboy vs other teams, one of their downfalls has been the over-dependence on stopgap veterans. This leads to a lack of development of young players because the stopgap vets get all of the valuable playing time that the young players need to get experience. Stopgaps like Will Allen get you 8-8 and then they are too old the following seasons and you don't have anyone with experience to take over which leads to another stopgap veteran.
This was a better 8-8 season than some other 8-8 seasons because many young players gained valuable experience. They won't all be successful because of the experience, but the more that get experience the better the odds of hitting on some successes.