IRVING — Eli Manning is set to host “Saturday Night Live” this weekend. Wouldn't it be fitting if that princess of pessimism, Debbie Downer, made a special appearance to remind him that his days of dominating the Cowboys could be over?
I say remind because I'm pretty sure the Giants quarterback realized last week that Dallas is finally serious about improving its defense.
What else could he conclude after watching the Cowboys trade up eight spots in the first round to select Morris Claiborne?
Fans should applaud Jerry Jones' bold move. In the LSU cornerback, Dallas bagged the draft's top defensive player. With Claiborne starting opposite free-agent signee Brandon Carr, the Cowboys are finally equipped to deal with a division that boasts quarterbacks such as Manning, Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III and receivers such as Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Santana Moss and Pierre Garcon.
“The receivers we have to cover are outstanding, and the passing games we have to face are outstanding,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “There are very few weeks we go into a ballgame saying of our opponent, ‘Those guys don't throw it very well.' They all throw it well, and you need really good cover guys.”
Dallas could have one of the best in Claiborne.
Jones was convinced after watching the Giants' defensive line harass Tom Brady in the Super Bowl that he had to find a pass rusher in the draft to pair opposite DeMarcus Ware. Only one problem: There weren't any elite pressure players available.
But there was an elite cornerback.
In the days leading up to the draft, the Cowboys discussed whether they should trade up from the 14th pick. Everyone at Valley Ranch agreed there was only one defender that would justify taking such a risk: Claiborne.
Then on Thursday afternoon, Dallas got lucky. The Rams, owners of the No. 6 spot, called to say they were willing to swap spots in the first round and would only ask for the Cowboys' second-round pick.
Some argue Dallas should have stuck with No. 14 and selected, say, LSU defensive end Michael Brockers, then grabbed another starter in the second round.
But that's short-sighted thinking. Claiborne is a difference-maker at a premium position. Brockers' future seems bright, but he's not an elite player at a crucial spot. Pair Brockers with Ware, and the Cowboys' defense is only a step above ordinary. Couple Claiborne with Ware, and you've got a much-improved unit with linchpin players at two key positions.
And then there's this: Jones revealed that had the trade not been made, Dallas would have taken Utah State inside linebacker Bobby Wagner in the second round. That's hardly a move that would have bothered Manning, who in sweeping the Cowboys last season passed for more than 700 yards with five touchdowns and only one interception.
“The great teams in this league play really good pass defense,” Garrett said. “And a lot of that comes from pass rush but also guys being really good at the back end. And we feel like adding a guy like (Claiborne), this elite kind of player, at one of those premium positions, was the right thing for us to do.”
Manning won't be thinking about any of this Saturday night while performing with Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis and Andy Samberg. But on a Wednesday night in September? On another big stage? With Claiborne taking away half the field?
It could be a real downer for Manning.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...real-downer-for-New-3520040.php#ixzz1tWrXks00
I say remind because I'm pretty sure the Giants quarterback realized last week that Dallas is finally serious about improving its defense.
What else could he conclude after watching the Cowboys trade up eight spots in the first round to select Morris Claiborne?
Fans should applaud Jerry Jones' bold move. In the LSU cornerback, Dallas bagged the draft's top defensive player. With Claiborne starting opposite free-agent signee Brandon Carr, the Cowboys are finally equipped to deal with a division that boasts quarterbacks such as Manning, Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III and receivers such as Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Santana Moss and Pierre Garcon.
“The receivers we have to cover are outstanding, and the passing games we have to face are outstanding,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “There are very few weeks we go into a ballgame saying of our opponent, ‘Those guys don't throw it very well.' They all throw it well, and you need really good cover guys.”
Dallas could have one of the best in Claiborne.
Jones was convinced after watching the Giants' defensive line harass Tom Brady in the Super Bowl that he had to find a pass rusher in the draft to pair opposite DeMarcus Ware. Only one problem: There weren't any elite pressure players available.
But there was an elite cornerback.
In the days leading up to the draft, the Cowboys discussed whether they should trade up from the 14th pick. Everyone at Valley Ranch agreed there was only one defender that would justify taking such a risk: Claiborne.
Then on Thursday afternoon, Dallas got lucky. The Rams, owners of the No. 6 spot, called to say they were willing to swap spots in the first round and would only ask for the Cowboys' second-round pick.
Some argue Dallas should have stuck with No. 14 and selected, say, LSU defensive end Michael Brockers, then grabbed another starter in the second round.
But that's short-sighted thinking. Claiborne is a difference-maker at a premium position. Brockers' future seems bright, but he's not an elite player at a crucial spot. Pair Brockers with Ware, and the Cowboys' defense is only a step above ordinary. Couple Claiborne with Ware, and you've got a much-improved unit with linchpin players at two key positions.
And then there's this: Jones revealed that had the trade not been made, Dallas would have taken Utah State inside linebacker Bobby Wagner in the second round. That's hardly a move that would have bothered Manning, who in sweeping the Cowboys last season passed for more than 700 yards with five touchdowns and only one interception.
“The great teams in this league play really good pass defense,” Garrett said. “And a lot of that comes from pass rush but also guys being really good at the back end. And we feel like adding a guy like (Claiborne), this elite kind of player, at one of those premium positions, was the right thing for us to do.”
Manning won't be thinking about any of this Saturday night while performing with Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis and Andy Samberg. But on a Wednesday night in September? On another big stage? With Claiborne taking away half the field?
It could be a real downer for Manning.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...real-downer-for-New-3520040.php#ixzz1tWrXks00
