Cowboys Final Report Card

The Cowboys didn't finish their season well but the overall grade for the season hasn't been determined yet. They didn't do well in their first report card but improved mightily by the second term and now here's the final report on the Cowboys season.

Quarterbacks : Tony Romo took every snap this season for Dallas; he finished the season with a 63.1 completion percentage, 26 TDs and just nine interceptions. Romo cut down on his INTs this season after week two and carried the Cowboys during December. Jon Kitna sat on the bench all season and Stephen McGee continued to develop. Grade : A

Running backs : While neither Smash, Dash nor Tash didn't have an individual 1000-yard season, as a group they had 1,966 yards and 13 TDs. Marion Barber started the season well but wasn't his usual wreck-less self and had only one 100-yard game this season.

Felix Jones really came on at the end of the season including a 91-yard game against the Eagles and a 148-yard outing against them the next week in the wild card playoff.

Tashard Choice played mostly out of the wildcat but his carries also increased at the end of the season prompting some people to think the Cowboys can be successful with just Jones and Choice. The combined efforts of all three however helped the Cowboys finish seventh in the league in rushing. Grade: A-

Wide Receivers : Miles Austin had a breakout season with 81 receptions for 1,320 yards and 11 TDs. Austin is now planning for his trip to the Pro Bowl, however almost every other receiver struggled.

Roy Williams missed just one game but couldn't produce half of what Austin did this season. Williams had 38 receptions for 596 yards and seven TDs. His highest receptions total for one game was six and he went three games without a reception. 

Patrick Crayton had a decent season as the third receiver with 37 receptions for 622 yards and five TDs. He had a good game in the wild card playoff catching four balls for 99 yards and a TD. However he could've done more this season.

Tight End Jason Witten had another outstanding year while Martellus Bennett, who was supposed to break out this season, did nothing but talk and get hurt. John Phillips produced more in two games as the backup than Bennett did in most games Grade : C

Offensive Line : The line stayed healthy for most of the season and when Marc Colombo went out backup Doug Free filled in nicely, however he showed last Sunday he still needs to improve. They allowed 34 sacks as a group which was tied for 15th, but they did a great job in the running game opening up holes. Grade : B-

Defensive Line: Defensive Tackle Jay Ratliff made the Pro Bowl and had six sacks and seven tackles for a loss this season. Igor Olshansky had a solid season on the end. Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen have played well enough to garner more time next season (provided Hatcher comes back) Marcus Spears hasn't lived up to his draft hype but is still a decent backup. Grade :B-

Linebackers : Bradie James and Keith Brooking were first and second on the team in tackles. Brooking became the team leader throughout the season and helped a young secondary mature.

Anthony Spencer took off late in the season and finished tied for second on the team in sacks with six. DeMarcus Ware had a solid season despite a bevy of injuries and even Bobby Carpenter finally came around and played well enough to keep his job through the season. Grade: A

Secondary : Mike Jenkins asserted himself as a shutdown corner. Terence Newman made the Pro Bowl as a reserve and had a great season under the radar. Orlando Scandrick had a solid season in the slot. Alan Ball is a good hybrid who can play anywhere if someone is hurt.

Ken Hamlin started the season shaky with his assignments but improved as the season went on. Gerald Sensabaugh played well enough to garner a contract to return next season even with the bad game he had in Minnesota. Grade: B+

Special Teams : David Buehler led the league in touchbacks and wasn't afraid to make a tackle. The Cowboys allowed just one return TD this season.

The kicking game was atrocious. Nick Folk played so bad he got cut, Shaun Suisham made every kick he was supposed to make but missed every important kick and now the Cowboys might have to draft another kicker. Grade: C

Coaching: Wade Phillips did a great job with the defense making the Cowboys the seventh ranked defense in the league. Jason Garrett got another terrific season out of Romo and things took off once he committed to the running game.

Phillips guided the Cowboys to a winning record in December a win against an undefeated team and a playoff win, before getting blown out last week. Grade: A-

Final Grade : The Cowboys won the East, exercised their demons against Philly and won a playoff game. All in all it was a good season even though they didn't make it as far as people thought they could. Grade B+