Tony Gutierrez / AP

Coach Wade Phillips' Cowboys fell a win short of making the playoffs. 

James turned out to be the most high-profile player to step up in front of cameras Monday. The only others were linebacker Zach Thomas, receiver Roy Williams and rookie running back Tashard Choice, all whom were in their first season in Dallas and thus have less perspective about what went wrong.

James’ take: “There were a lot of personalities put on this team and we didn’t jell. We didn’t find a way to jell. This past game, you could see it. When you know you’ve got something on the line and you’re playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself.”

Thomas finished his 13th NFL season and said he’ll be healthy enough to return for No. 14, although not necessarily in Dallas.

“I’m going to weigh my options,” he said. “I’m healthy and I feel like I still got a lot of fuel left in this tank.”

He heads into the offseason shaking his head that this collection of talent won only nine games, while the 1-15 Miami team he left went 11-5. Cowboys fans look at the Dolphins’ turnaround and grumble about it being orchestrated by former Dallas folks, from Parcells to coach Tony Sparano, who was among the people passed over when Jones hired Phillips and made Jason Garrett the offensive coordinator in 2007.

“We didn’t really get to our full potential,” Thomas said. “We were inconsistent all year. I don’t understand it, but that’s something for them to fix. I mean, they’ve got a great organization here, a lot of great players. Something’s missing. I’m hoping they find out because Jerry Jones deserves it, Wade deserves it.”

Williams caught only 19 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown over 10 games after being acquired from Detroit for three draft picks, including Dallas’ first-rounder (20th overall). He and Romo never got in sync, including an interception on a ball thrown his way Sunday.

“I would love to take the blame for that one, but I can’t,” Williams said. “Once we get a training camp under our system, we’ll be good.”

More news

NBC Sports

What's up with Alex and Cam?

  SportsTalk: 49ers quarterback Alex Smith rips on Panthers' second-year QB Cam Newton.

NBC Sports

Sanchez looking over his shoulder at Tebow?

  SportsTalk: Is Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez concerned about being benched for Tim Tebow? It's possible.

Headlines

• Label

PFT: Jeff Garcia still wants to play in the NFL

PFT: Ex-Dolphin testifies in bizarre murder case

PFT Live: Top picks bring QB competitions

PFT: Williams tape may hinder 'Hard Knocks'

PFT Live: Cardinals' DB Campbell is excited

PFT: Polamalu thinks kids should play football

PFT: Vanderjagt attacks kid for 'wide left' taunt?

PFT Live: Is Cowboys' title window closing?