Dallas Cowboys: Report Card Grades for Positional Units so Far This Preseason

The Dallas Cowboys played their first preseason game of the year on Monday night, and it was nothing short of a snoozer.

Jason Garrett's team beat the Oakland Raiders 3-0, and it was obvious that both sides was teeing off for the first time since last season.

Nevertheless, after that first, sluggish performance, we have a better idea as to where certain units stand.

The offensive line is a particular concern for many, as is the secondary.

Here are grades for each positional unit.

Quarterbacks: A

I give the quarterbacks an A grade because of Tony Romo and Kyle Orton.

Romo only threw six passes, which makes it tough to grade how well he may have actually done.

Meanwhile, Orton looked decent in his first outing. While he threw an interception, he seemed to have a pretty good grasp of the offense.

Stephen McGee, a man fighting for a roster spot, looked average.

Running Backs: B-Plus

Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray will be the main running backs for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Both men ran the ball a total of four times against the Raiders, which didn't provide us with much of a barometer for how well the duo will perform during the season.

Jamize Olawale received a good look from the coaches. He totaled 42 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

He's fighting for a roster spot and will have a chance with Phillip Tanner out.

Wide Receivers: A

Dez Bryant is one of the most athletic receivers I’ve ever seen. He adjusted greatly to a pass from Romo early in the game and made the catch look routine.

He’s having a very strong camp, as he did last year, and looks to have a breakout season in 2012.

Meanwhile, Andre Holmes also looked good against Oakland. Outside of his failed conditioning test, he has really impressed for the Cowboys so far.

According to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, he is the favorite to win the slot receiver job.

He must now remain consistent.

Dallas has a bunch of young talent at the receiver spot, and there may be a few players yet to emerge at that position this preseason.

Tight Ends: B

This grade does not include Jason Witten, who we know will be the starter.

Instead, I'm looking at James Hanna and John Phillips.

Phillips will take over the No. 2 tight end spot. He has to prove that he can be an effective run blocker. There won't be a threat to his spot unless Hanna emerges.

Hanna has to show more consistency when catching the ball. He recently caught his second touchdown pass of camp, which impressed.

I still believe he'll eventually take over for Witten down the road.

Offensive Line: C-Minus

Now we see why there have been so many changes on the offensive line.

The guard and center positions make me fear for Romo’s life, not to mention the ability to run the ball.

There has been a rash of injuries lately, which explains why guard David Arkin started at center.

Health will be key, but more than anything, there has to be stability. The team must find a good mix quickly.

Dallas is still searching for a guard and will work different players out at the position, including Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau.

According to ESPNDallas.com, Doug Free did not look good.

Does this spell trouble for the Cowboys moving forward?

Defensive Line: C

How about Marcus Spears?

There was talk of him being cut if he didn't step up, and I guess he heard that.

Spears has been an effective run stuffer, and if he plays like he did on Monday night, his roster spot will be fine.

I really wanted to see how well Tyrone Crawford performed, and he did well. He still needs some polish, and will grow, but it looks like he'll be fine.

Linebackers: B-Plus

I really wanted to give them an A grade, as Bruce Carter and Kyle Wilber looked good.

Carter showed why the Cowboys were willing to spend a draft pick on him, while Sean Lee continues to prove that he's going to be a great linebacker for a very long time.

I've said before that the Cowboys have the opportunity to have one of the best linebacking units in the entire league.

Victor Butler and Alex Albright were very bright spots for the team, and depth should not be an issue for them this season.

It showed on Monday night.

Secondary: B

That interception by Gerald Sensabaugh was a thing of beauty, wasn't it?

Scandrick was playing the right side and locked his man up as he should have.

Palmer floated a deep ball to the inside, while Sensabaugh played center field and came over to pick it off. That is the type of play that Dallas will need all season from the secondary.

We will receive a better look at this unit in the third preseason game, but for just a few plays, they showed a ton of potential.

Claiborne was hurt and Carr played a few snaps. Scandrick seems to be a little better, and Jenkins will play the slot when he returns.

Injuries may hold them back at first, but once they all come together, they should be just fine.

Special Teams: C

Dan Bailey and Chris Jones looked fine, but penalties killed the Cowboys as they always do.

Outside of that, all eyes will be on Jones. Dallas decided not to bring punter Mat McBriar back and give the job to the 23-year-old instead.

Will this turn out to be a mistake?

Field position can help or hurt the defense. As long as Jones doesn't serve as a detriment to the defense, he should be fine.

However, as always, the Cowboys have to stop the penalties.