Dallas Cowboys Report Card: Grading Each Unit vs. the St. Louis Rams

What a difference a week makes. Last week against the Patriots the Cowboys couldn’t pay to run the ball. The team totaled 77 rushing yards on 24 attempts. On Sunday against the Rams Dallas totaled 294 rushing yards and 8.6 yards per carry.

Well, maybe what a difference a defense makes. The Rams have the league’s worst rushing defense and Dallas Swiss-cheesed them up on Sunday. DeMarco Murray had a team record 253 rushing yards and a 91 yard touchdown run to top it off. Dallas was finally able to run the ball and run it well.

Because of Felix Jones’ injury Dallas was forced to go with Murray because of the team’s lack of trust in Tashard Choice.

But Dallas did a lot of things well on Sunday. The defense held the Rams to less than 300 total yards, Tony Romo had zero turnovers, Mike Jenkins had an interception and DeMarcus Ware got back on the sack train. It was a great day for Dallas players, coaches, a giddy owner and some very boisterous fans.

To top off the evening for Cowboy nation I think I’ll skew my grades toward the positive for Dallas tonight. They didn’t do much wrong as evidenced by their 34-7 beat down of the Rams.

Lets grade ‘em.

Quarterback: Tony Romo

Nothing bad to say about Romo’s performance. He was solid in leading the Cowboys to victory against the Rams. Well, he didn’t really lead them as that title really belongs to DeMarco Murray, but we know how much credit quarterbacks receive.

Romo did his job today, and instead of us hearing about how he threw another game away or how much head coach Jason Garrett doesn’t trust him, we didn’t really hear that much from Tony Romo today. At all. Not really a peep.

Grade: B-

Running Backs: DeMarco Murray, Tashard Choice, Phillip Tanner

Lets start our chat out by talking about DeMarco Murray.

The former Oklahoma Sooner burner had 253 rushing yards against the Rams and broke the Cowboys single game rushing record in the process. The Cowboys were taking a slow approach with Murray it seemed as his carriers came sparingly and he was mainly used if Jones was injured or needed a breather.

But he broke out in a big way on Sunday and now many fans are calling for him to start, just check Twitter.

The reason this group doesn't get an outright "A" is because of Tashard Choice. Somebody queue the Price is Right fail music for Tashard please.

Choice fumbled the ball and probably fumbled away his chances of seeing any playing time for the rest of the season.

Tashard was dejected after the game, which makes me feel for him because he seems like a likable guy.

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“I messed up, man. It came out and I lost the ball. I can’t get a break.”

 

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Grade: A-

Wide Receivers: Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson

The receivers did a serviceable job against the Rams. Dez finally showed himself in the second half and he lead the Cowboys in receiving yards with 90. He also caught a touchdown to prove that he was able to stick it out for the final 30 minutes of the game.

But Miles Austin was no where to be found as Al Harris seemed to have him locked up, and Laurent Robinson only caught two balls against his old team. But with the day that Murray had there was no real reason to pass the ball as Romo only put it up 24 times.

Grade: C+

Tight Ends: Jason Witten

Witten will always receive a solid grade because he always plays well. He had five catches for 35 yards and one touchdown. Again, the ‘Boys were focused on running the rock so Witten played his role and played it well.

He caught a touchdown and aided the Cowboys to victory. Can’t really ask for much more.

Grade: B+

Offensive Line: Doug Free, Montrae Holland, Phil Costa, Kyle Kosier, Tyron Smith

Jerry Jones had high praise for the recently re-signed Holland for his play on Sunday.

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“He was frankly outstanding. I’d give him my game ball.”

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Holland and the rest of the ‘Boys did a bang up job of opening holes for Murray, and he took full advantage of those holes. They kept Romo upright and his jersey clean.

A great job by the Cowboys offensive line even with a new moving part to play on Sunday in Montrae Holland.

Grade: A

Defensive Line: Marcus Spears, Jay Ratliff, Kenyon Coleman

The defensive line “held” Rams running back Steven Jackson to 79 yards and did a great job of harassing St. Louis quarterback A.J. Feeley.

The Cowboys didn’t allow the Rams more than 265 total yards, caused a few turnovers and only allowed one touchdown the entire game.

Not much to say but job well done.

Grade: C+

Linebackers: DeMarcus Ware, Sean Lee, Anthony Spencer, Bradie James

When the entire team does well…uuuhhhh… yeah the entire team does well. Bradie James has been criticized for his declining play and Anthony Spencer has been condemned for the same thing.

But the fellas did a pretty good job today. Ware got yet another sack to bring his season total to eight and Feeley did feel the pressure.

Grade: B

D.Backfield: Terence Newman, Abe Elam, Gerald Sensabaugh, Mike Jenkins

Jenkins had an interception and Elam caused a fumble. Feeley was held to less than 200 yards passing and he only completed 20 of his 33 passes. Well, that’s not really awful but you get where I’m driving this bus.

Overall the Cowboys defense played well and hopefully they can carry that solid play over to Philly next week.

Grade: B+

Special Teams: Dan Bailey and Mat McBriar

Dan Bailey may just be the field goal kicker the ‘Boys have been looking for. He banged two field goals against the Rams and had a long of 51 yards.

Punter Mat McBriar had three punts with two inside the 20 for an average of 45.3 yards. The Rams had bad field position which put the Cowboys defense in a good space. Dallas may have finally found a deadly kicker/punter combo, which is what they’ve been searching for for decades.

Grade: A+