Dallas Cowboys: Grading the Strength of Every Position Unit Heading into Camp

Training camp is finally here and the Cowboys have gotten off to a rather interesting start. A slew of tweaked hamstrings to go along with a season-ending injury to Tyrone Crawford are not the way to begin the camp of what will be a crucial season under Jason Garrett's reign.

But these are also known as the dog days of summer, and camp is about grinding, building off of the previous day's work and knocking off the rust. The key is staying healthy, but at the same time, giving everyone enough reps to build the proper chemistry and rhythm.

The positional battles and competitions haven't even heated up yet so there is lot of work to be done before the August 4th preseason opener. With camp at such a very early stage it's critical for the coaches and front office to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of this team with careful monitoring.

It's never too early for any type of assessment especially when you are managing injuries. And that's exactly the predicament the Cowboys are in right now. Questions related to the depth of this football team will quickly come into play and maybe the Cowboys will ultimately find some pleasant surprises.

For now, let's look at just how strong this team is at each position.

Quarterback

There isn't a whole lot of debate, question or argument regarding the quarterback position in Dallas. Tony Romo is the starter, Kyle Orton is the backup and maybe, just maybe, Nick Stephens or Alex Tanney make the practice squad as a potential developmental prospect.

After going with two quarterbacks last season, there is no reason to believe that will change. Romo, the recipient of a nine-figure contract in the offseason, gives the Cowboys the best chance at winning despite his lack of production in the playoff win department.

It's just that simple and he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The haters are going to hate, his critics will criticize even in his moments of greatness, but the Cowboys are Romo's team. He will once again put up over 4,000 yards and over 20 touchdowns, but he will also, at times, be a source of indigestion.

Romo is now fully recovered from his back procedure and ready to roll, but he is fully expected to produce some playoff wins to a starved fan base.

Kyle Orton is arguably one of the best backups in the league, so the Cowboys are in good hands should he be pressed into duty.

Let's hope he never sees the field.

Grade: A-

Running Back

The Cowboys are looking to improve from a 31st-ranked rushing attack from 2012, and that all starts with DeMarco Murray. The question is whether or not he can remain healthy for 16 games and run effectively behind an offensive line that is marked with inconsistency.

Behind Murray is rookie Joseph Randle, who, as a fifth-round pick, will be given every opportunity to secure the backup role. Standing in his way will be explosive second-year back Lance Dunbar and veteran Phillip Tanner.

Kendial Lawrence is an undrafted rookie who might surprise a lot of people and his presence will make running back one of the more interesting competitions. But Murray will be the key to this position, and if he can remain healthy, the Cowboys will benefit tremendously.

This is rounding out to be a nice mix of backs for the Cowboys and you better believe Bill Callahan will run the ball in 2013. It's simply a must on many levels, but mainly for the win column.

Grade: B+

Wide Receiver

The Cowboys watched the maturation of Dez Bryant in 2012, and in 2013, everyone will witness the making of a flat out superstar. Yes, Bryant is that good and he will continue to prove that he is rapidly approaching elite status in the NFL.

Off the field it looks like he's figured out that being under-the-radar is a desirable business model for his present and future. So with Bryant setting the tone, Miles Austin, Terrance Williams, Dwayne Harris, Cole Beasley, Danny Coale and Eric Rogers round out this group of talented receivers.

The third receiver spot is looking to be another great battle to watch, and the group as a whole, is deep, talented and looking to cause mismatches for opponents. This is arguably a position of strength in Dallas and health will be the key. Paging Miles Austin.

Grade: A

Tight End

There aren't enough words to describe Jason Witten's value to this football team and the way he continues to produce at a high level. He also continues to serve as Romo's most trusted target which is important for this offense.

But it's time to start helping him out and adding a few new wrinkles to this offense so enter second-round pick Gavin Escobar, second-year player James Hanna and veteran Donte Rosario. It's highly conceivable that the Cowboys keep four tight ends this year given that Lawrence Vickers was released.

The Cowboys want to run more 22 personnel, they need to dominate the hash marks and they also need to improve red zone scoring. All signs point to getting more contributions by people not named Jason Witten. This will be an exciting group to watch.

Witten will be his usual self but the rest of this group has to step up right away. Will this work?

Grade:  B

Offensive Line

Is it fair to say that the success of this season rests with this group? That very well could be the case and it is a fair argument. This group needs to protect Tony Romo, they need to fuel this running game and they need to be the glue of the offense.

In order for that to happen a lot of things need to take place. That includes a rebound year for Doug Free, consistent play from Travis Frederick, health and the ability of several players to step up like Ron Leary. The Cowboys are really feeling the injury bug and failed conditioning tests early in camp and the offensive line has been hit hard.

Jerry Jones only added Frederick in the draft and failed to really add any other additions of substance unless you consider Demetress Bell significant. The Cowboys are really relying on the same pieces from last year to band together, grow under Callahan and improve in 2013.

This will be the single most important battle of camp and of the 2013 season.

Grade: C

Defensive Line

Rod Marinelli will improve this unit in 2013 and he will get results. The Cowboys are switching to a 4-3 alignment and that means DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer will switch back to defensive end. It also means that depth will be a huge issue for a number of reasons.

The position was already thin at depth by having to rely on young players like Kyle Wilber, Monte Taylor, Nick Hayden and Cam Sheffield, but now it will be tested even more with the injury to Tyrone Crawford. Losing Crawford is a huge blow for this team and the Cowboys need to figure out a plan fast.

Will the Cowboys look to a veteran? Is the answer already on this roster? Stephen Jones confidently says the answer is in house. So maybe those younger players will either be the Achilles heel of this team or one of it's untapped strengths.

Either way it doesn't appear John Abraham will walk through the doors in Oxnard so let's assume no additions will be made. Does this group have enough playmakers? Does this bring renewed debate over bypassing Sharrif Floyd? Is Jay Ratliff's injury a concern?

Interesting questions that will definitely need time to answer. This unit is on the clock.

Grade: B- 

Linebacker

Sean Lee and Bruce Carter are the starts of this group, but the Cowboys also have a nice mix behind them. Justin Durant is expected to be the other starter in this new 4-3, and players like Alex Albright, DeVonte Holloman, Ernie Sims and Brandon MaGee will have ample opportunities for playing time.

Albright adds a lot of versatility and he's an intriguing player for the 2013 season. Overall, this is a solid group, and the key is whether Lee and Carter can stay healthy. I can't stress that point enough with each of those players and for what they bring to the table.

As a combination, they provide speed, athleticism, instincts and playmaking ability. All are important attributes for success in the 4-3, and their ability to read plays, react and close could make this pair the best in football.

Grade: A- 

Cornerback

Cornerback is arguably the greatest strength of the Cowboys roster for many reasons. Morris Claiborne will flourish in his second year, Brandon Carr will be more comfortable in year two of his free agency arrival and the depth in this area is outstanding.

Orlando Scandrick, when healthy, is one of the better slot corners in the league, rookie B.W. Webb has shown potential early on and will get opportunities and Sterling Moore is a tough veteran with versatility. This is a deep group who are athletic, tough, versatile and capable of making plays.

The key to this unit will be the ability to create turnovers and how often they can achieve that. Claiborne will be expected to live up to his draft billing and improve from one interception and Carr needs to do more in order to justify his huge contract.

This group is one of the best units the Cowboys have had in a long time, but seven interceptions will not get this team into the playoffs.

Grade: A

Safety

The safety position has long been an area of concern, frustration and flux for a number of years in Dallas since the departure of Darren Woodson. But things appear to be heading in the right direction as long as a few questions can be attended to.

Barry Church appears to be healthy and ready to reclaim his job from 2012, but between Matt Johnson, Will Allen, rookie J.J. Wilcox and Danny McCray, the other spot is somewhat wide open. Johnson and Wilcox are the most intriguing since they represent fourth and third-round picks respectively.

Johnson has a reputation for being around the ball, as does Wilcox, and that is what this team needs. This is going to be yet another outstanding camp battle and an important one as the Cowboys look to protect the back end of their defense.

But there are a lot of question marks here, and before we can deem this an area of strength, there is a lot to sort out.

That will all be determined and based on who produces consistently in practices, who makes plays in the games and who gives this team the best chance at winning. A lot of eyes will be on this position.

Grade: B-

Specialists

Not really a whole lot to discuss here unless there is an epic failure to perform. Dan Bailey is a stud of a kicker who is only getting better, L.P. Ladoceur has been a model of consistency as a long-snapper and Chris Jones is finally healthy.

The special teams units as a whole should see improvement under new coach Rich Bisaccia, and the Cowboys will need and welcome any contributions from this area. Players like Dwayne Harris showed an outstanding ability in the return game and he will have competition from B.W. Webb and Terrance Williams this season.

Special teams has the ability to change the course of a game in a moment's notice and the Cowboys need to realize the importance of that. For a team coming off of disappointment in two straight seasons, this area could provide a boost.

Grade: A