Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) celebrates after blocking a field goal in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of play at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday, September 15, 2013. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)
Orlando Scandrick had his best season in 2013. The fifth-round pick and only player remaining from the Dallas Cowboys’ 2008 draft class had career-highs with two interceptions and 12 pass-breakups.
Scandrick was Dallas’ most effective cornerback, going from nickel to a 15-game starter.
The goal for 2014? Make his first Pro Bowl.
“In order to make the Pro Bowl, I got to go and get the ball,” Scandrick said. “You can go out and make all the percentage pass yards against, if you don’t intercept the ball you’re not going to be in Hawaii.
“You got to make game-changing plays and I know I have the ability to. I’m really starting to take strides and I have to take strides this year, too.”
Receivers in Scandrick’s coverage area were targeted 101 times last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Only nine other NFL corners were targeted more. Scandrick allowed 62 receptions but held those receivers to 10.5 yards per catch, the fourth-lowest average by a corner playing at least 75 percent of his team’s snaps.
To increase his interception total, Scandrick says he’s been working in the off-season on becoming a better receiver.
“Just focusing on catching the ball and looking the ball in,” Scandrick said. “When you catch it you got to see it into the pocket. And those were some of my issues last year, I was catching the ball and turning my head.”
Scandrick, who signed a contract extension in December that will keep in Dallas through the 2018 season, said he has been watching film of last year’s games against Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia because he dropped potential interceptions in each.
“I’m trying to get a little better,” he said. “I’m a veteran player and I just need to get better. I don’t feel like I’ve reached my ceiling, yet.”
Orlando Scandrick had his best season in 2013. The fifth-round pick and only player remaining from the Dallas Cowboys’ 2008 draft class had career-highs with two interceptions and 12 pass-breakups.
Scandrick was Dallas’ most effective cornerback, going from nickel to a 15-game starter.
The goal for 2014? Make his first Pro Bowl.
“In order to make the Pro Bowl, I got to go and get the ball,” Scandrick said. “You can go out and make all the percentage pass yards against, if you don’t intercept the ball you’re not going to be in Hawaii.
“You got to make game-changing plays and I know I have the ability to. I’m really starting to take strides and I have to take strides this year, too.”
Receivers in Scandrick’s coverage area were targeted 101 times last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Only nine other NFL corners were targeted more. Scandrick allowed 62 receptions but held those receivers to 10.5 yards per catch, the fourth-lowest average by a corner playing at least 75 percent of his team’s snaps.
To increase his interception total, Scandrick says he’s been working in the off-season on becoming a better receiver.
“Just focusing on catching the ball and looking the ball in,” Scandrick said. “When you catch it you got to see it into the pocket. And those were some of my issues last year, I was catching the ball and turning my head.”
Scandrick, who signed a contract extension in December that will keep in Dallas through the 2018 season, said he has been watching film of last year’s games against Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia because he dropped potential interceptions in each.
“I’m trying to get a little better,” he said. “I’m a veteran player and I just need to get better. I don’t feel like I’ve reached my ceiling, yet.”
