Dallas Cowboys Midseason Report Card
posted on 18 Aug 2008 21:34 by alyssaschwartQuarterbacks: C+
Drew Bledsoe: D+
Tony Romo: B
Bledsoe simply wasn't getting the job done. He was holding on to the ball too long, and making too many mistakes. While I'm being cautious, Tony Romo appears to have what it takes to be a quality starting quarterback. He seems to know what he is doing out there already, and the scary part is that he will only get better. His grade could be higher, but there is still a chance some of the mistakes like he made in the Giants game will come back at some point this season. He has looked like a seasoned vet in his two starts, but I'm sure there will are some forgettable moments yet to come.
Running Backs: B+
Julius Jones: B+
Marion Barber: B+
Oliver Hoyte: B
You can't complain about the performance of the two running backs. They aren't making big plays all by themselves, but with a hole they will get the job done. Jones has stayed healthy and ran pretty well. Barber is the perfect No. 2 back with his power, hands, and blocking skills. Hoyte, the former LB, is doing a good job as the lead blocker. He has actually stolen a lot of playing time from Fasano in recent weeks. He has plenty of power in his blocks, and he is a great special teams player.
Receivers: B-
Terrell Owens: C+
Terry Glenn: A-
Patrick Crayton: C+
Jason Witten: B-
Anthony Fasano: C
This receiving corp has been underachieving a bit in my opinion. Terrell Owens has been good, but he hasn't really had a major impact in any of our games. Not to mention the dropped passes have absolutely killed us. Terry Glenn had an excellent first month, but his numbers have tailed off since. I give him an A-, because I've watched the tape and the defenses are respecting him as much or more as Owens. That being said, we really could use a few big plays from him in the 2nd half.
The tight ends have played decent. Witten's numbers have improved since Romo became the starter. Fasano has been solid as a blocker, but his receiving skills haven't been used as much as I would have hoped for a 2nd round pick. Although, there are only so many balls to go around. Fasano's impact will probably be felt more in the post Owens/Glenn era when we won't have near the WRs we have now and we will need to rely more heavily on both tight ends.
Offensive Line: C+
Flozell Adams: C
Kyle Kosier: B-
Andre Gurode: B-
Marco Rivera: C+
Marc Colombo: B
This unit is doing a fairly good job this season. The have been superb at opening up running lanes for Jones and Barber. The pass blocking has been a little shaky, but nothing like last season. The insertion of Tony Romo seems to have off-set any weaknesses this unit has in that area.
Flozell Adams has had an up and down season. He seems to be getting his footing back under him though. Kyle Kosier has been a solid upgrade at LG. He makes a few mistakes, but he was definitely a good addition. Andre Gurode has done a good job at center. His mental mistakes have been minimal, and there is no doubt he has more power behind his blocks than Al Johnson ever did. Marco Rivera is better than he was last season, but he isn't the Pro Bowl guard he once was. He is no better than an above average starter. Marc Colombo is probably the team's biggest surprise. He has done an excellent job this season both run and pass blocking. The great thing is that he is only 27, and he will only get better the stronger he gets.
OFFENSE TOTAL: B-
It is hard to be too hard on this offense when you consider we have averaged nearly 28 points a game. You definitely can't complain with that point production, but the amount of turnovers from the Bledsoe led offense made that group a lot less attractive than one might think. We have only turned the ball over once in Romo's two starts. If we can continue to put up the same amount of points, while limiting the turnovers then we will have a truly elite offense.
COACHING: C+
I haven't been too impressed with the Cowboys coaching staff this season. I know Terrell Owens is a distraction, but this team is too good to be 4-4. The penalties and lack of discipline are partly the responsibility of the coaches. I also think the defensive play calling has been too conservative. We need to start blitzing more. I know you can't blitz every play, but considering our safeties can't cover I would probably be sending them after the QB as much as possible. I would also like to see a few trick plays from the offense as well.
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