Dallas Cowboys: Full Report Card for the Final 53

And now, the end is near. And so I face the final curtain. My friend. I’ll say it clear. I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain…Frank Sinatra

The Dallas Cowboys released 26 players this past Saturday to get down to the NFL mandated 53-man roster. Gone is linebacker Brandon Williams and defensive end Igor Olshansky. The ‘Boys also cut safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and rookie cornerback Josh Thomas.

Surprisingly, Dallas held on to kicker David Buehler even after a lackluster preseason.

So with the final 53 finally set to go, let's take a look at them and give them a final grade. From the quarterbacks to the specialists, I’ll judge them as I’m supposed to.

Quarterbacks, B+

Tony Romo – A

Jon Kitna – B

Stephen McGee – C

With Tony Romo back at full strength, I think the Cowboys chances of making the playoffs have risen, obviously. But what's interesting about this group is that we now know what Jon Kitna is capable of in Jason Garrett’s offense.

When Romo went down with his injury last season, Kitna came in and played well enough to lead Dallas to a 5-3 record under Garrett.

Hopefully, Romo isn’t injured again this season, but if he is, I believe Cowboys nation is comfortable with the team being led by Kitna.

Running Backs, B-

Felix Jones - A

Tashard Choice - C

DeMarco Murray - C

Phillip Tanner - D

Dallas has another stable of good running backs with Jones, Choice and Murray leading the way. Jones is No. 1 in Dallas, and he’ll get the bulk of the carriers.

But how will Choice pan out in 2011 and will Murray eventually take carries away from him?

I still believe that Tashard will be traded before the year is over, but until that day arrives, I’m curious as to how the Cowboys will use T.C.

Wide Receivers, C+

Miles Austin - A

Dez Bryant - B

Kevin Ogletree - C

Jesse Holley - D

Dwayne Harris - D

Austin and Bryant will be two of the best receivers in the NFL this season. Bryant is poised for a breakout season, and Austin is Romo’s No. 1 option at wide receiver. But after those two, there is a drop-off which is why I give them a C grade.

Ogletree is decent, but Holley and Harris are unproven. Holley has to earn his spot on the roster every season, and 2011 was no different.

Dallas is still searching for a veteran receiver to add to the roster due the inexperience of the last three on the roster.

Tight Ends, B+

Jason Witten - A

Martellus Bennett - C-

John Phillips - C

Martin Rucker - D

I can’t give them a grade lower than a B due to Jason Witten. Witten is a future Hall of Famer and he’s one of the best in the league at what he does.

Bennett is one of the team’s better blockers, but he can’t seem to put it all together. He had another good camp and preaseason, but two huge drops allowed negative thoughts to creep in about him again.

Offensive Line, C-

Doug Free - B
Bill Nagy - C
Phil Costa - B
Kyle Kosier - A
Tyron Smith  - B-
David Arkin - C
Kevin Kowalski - B 
Jermey Parnell - C

Derrick Dockery- C

The offensive line is still being tinkered with by head coach Jason Garrett. The team cut lineman Montrae Holland over the weekend and added guard Derrick Dockery.

Sam Young was also let go, and there may be more changes in store.

Overall, I think Dallas has a good group upfront led by Kyle Kosier. Rookie Tyron Smith is still learning and developing, but he should have a nice season.

Not saying that there won’t be any growing pains but this line is young and should have a much better time of it in 2011.

Defensive Line, C-

Kenyon Coleman - C
Jay Ratliff - B
Marcus Spears - C
Josh Brent - C
Sean Lissemore - D
Jason Hatcher - C
Clifton Geathers - D

I’m not really sold on what this line can do this season, but I’m not against them either. Spears is back which should held the Cowboys run defense and lineman Kenyon Coleman knows Rob Ryan’s defense.

Dallas will have to get pressure on the quarterback from upfront to take some of the pressure off of the secondary. Hopefully, this group of guys is able to do it.

Jay Ratliff may play a little end if needed, but that won’t be his permanent position as he’ll remain at nose tackle.

Outside Linebackers, B+

DeMarcus Ware - A+
Anthony Spencer - C
Victor Butler - C
Alex Albright - C
 
Ware is the best linebacker on the team bar none but he’s also one of the best defensive players in the league. He led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2010 and will look to continue that same production this year.
 
Spencer on the other hand is a different type of animal. This will be make or break for him and if he can’t get it done this year then I believe this may be his last go round in Big D.
 
Albright made a name for himself on special teams and Butler may eventually take over for Spencer.

Cornerbacks, D

Mike Jenkins - C

Terence Newman - C

Orlando Scandrick - D

Alan Ball - D

Bryan McCann - D

This will be the most scrutinized position on the team this season. Collectively this group of players played awful at times last season and will have to do better in 2011.

Newman is still hurt and Jenkins wants to return to his 2009 form. I believe that they’ll be better and there will not be a repeat of their performance from last year. We should expect more from Orlando Scandrick since the team wants him to eventually take over Newman, according to a story on ESPNDallas.com.

Safety, C+

Abram Elam – B+

Gerald Sensabaugh – A-

Barry Church - C

Danny McCray - D

I liked the addition of Elam, and Gerald Sensabaugh is playing at a high level right now. Church is playing well, and McCray is improving.

The safety position seems to be in good hands right now with Elma and Sensabugh.

Special Teams, C

Mat McBriar – A

David Buehler – D

Dan Bailey – D

L.P. Ladouceur - C

I give this group a C because of the contrast between McBriar and Buehler. McBriar is one of the best punters in the league, and Buehler’s leg has a mind of its own.

He won’t handle field goal duties this season; that job has been given to Dan Bailey. Whoever differentiates himself will eventually have both jobs. As of right now, there are to many inconsistencies for Dallas to trust just one guy.