- Messages
- 5,432
- Reaction score
- 0
Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne ready to stand out, knows he hasn't lived up to expectations
OXNARD, Calif. — Those who insist on pointing out that Morris Claiborne has yet to live up to expectations can take a day off.
Claiborne knows. He’s heard it from the fans. He’s heard it from the media. He’s heard it from his coaches and some of those close to him. At times, it has felt as if the weight of the world were on his shoulders.
It’s hard to be your best with all of that baggage to lug around. Claiborne vows he has put all of that aside entering this training camp.
“I’m not accepting anything less than great for myself,” he said. “That’s how I’m approaching my workouts. That’s how I approach practice and walkthroughs.
“There ain’t nothing else to do. I might as well be the best that I can be.”
This has not been the case so far. Injuries and immaturity are hurdles the cornerback has been unable to clear in his first two seasons with the Cowboys.
Owner Jerry Jones believes Claiborne has the skill level to “be the guy we want to have out there” when the club moved up to the No. 6 spot of the 2012 draft to select the LSU star. This offseason and training camp will show whether Claiborne has laid the groundwork necessary to work his way back.
“I don’t need to really remind him or anyone the commitment we made and the commitment he made,” Jones said. “He’s got a lot of pride.”
Pride that has taken a hit.
Claiborne has two interceptions and has forced one fumble in his time with the Cowboys. He has missed seven games with injuries and lost his starting job as last season progressed to Orlando Scandrick.
There have been injuries. Wrist surgery heading into his rookie season. A concussion. A separated shoulder that hindered his effectiveness for much of last season and later a pulled hamstring. He had shoulder and finger surgery this offseason.
“There has been so much,” Claiborne said. “I can’t even explain all of it. But it has all gone to make me finally realize I can’t take something for granted.
“This ain’t no time to be running around feeling sad for yourself or down because this happened. You have to live every moment like it’s your last. I’m excited for the season.”
One reason Claiborne has been unable to grow into his potential is that injuries have cut into his practice time. He never stepped on the field in Oxnard his rookie season. His time in last year’s camp was limited.
“That’s definitely a big concern, being on the field and keeping yourself healthy,” Claiborne said. “That’s why I’ve been trying to do all of the little things I can do, not taking things for granted, not missing any ice baths, taking care of my body.
“If I won’t take care of it, no one else will. Being on the field getting those reps is really important. I had to find out the hard way, but I know now.”
When Claiborne did practice, it was not always with the focus and sense of urgency needed for improvement. He concedes he didn’t handle working through some of the aches and pain well because in part, he didn’t want to embarrass himself or “put bad tape up.”
He took walkthroughs for granted. He doesn’t now.
That happens when you feel like you can’t sink any lower.
“You feel like you have nowhere to go,” Claiborne said of the emotions that gripped him at the end of last season. “You feel like you’re hitting rock bottom, and you feel you have to turn it around.
“From all of that I feel like I’m a better man to this day.”
Coach Jason Garrett has mentioned Claiborne’s strong offseason on several occasions. The cornerback has improved his strength — a necessity — and was highlighted after the first practice of this camp for his work in fundamental drills.
Claiborne engaged in a series of spirited battles with receiver Terrance Williams on Saturday. He was locked up with Dez Bryant on Sunday. He broke up the first two passes to Bryant, but No. 88 got the best him on the next two.
“I think his demeanor is better than it’s been,” Garrett said of Claiborne. “He’s certainly becoming more and more mature, and I think his approach to playing the game, the physical nature, the competitiveness, is just getting better and better and better.
“That’s really what we saw in lot of ways at LSU.”
Claiborne’s role entering this camp is up for debate. Is he a starter or must he beat out Scandrick or Brandon Carr to again make that claim?
“I come into camp thinking I’m ready to work, no matter what it may be,” Claiborne said. “I plan on outworking my competition, if you put it like that.
“I want to stand out. Whatever I have to do, I’m willing to do that.”
OXNARD, Calif. — Those who insist on pointing out that Morris Claiborne has yet to live up to expectations can take a day off.
Claiborne knows. He’s heard it from the fans. He’s heard it from the media. He’s heard it from his coaches and some of those close to him. At times, it has felt as if the weight of the world were on his shoulders.
It’s hard to be your best with all of that baggage to lug around. Claiborne vows he has put all of that aside entering this training camp.
“I’m not accepting anything less than great for myself,” he said. “That’s how I’m approaching my workouts. That’s how I approach practice and walkthroughs.
“There ain’t nothing else to do. I might as well be the best that I can be.”
This has not been the case so far. Injuries and immaturity are hurdles the cornerback has been unable to clear in his first two seasons with the Cowboys.
Owner Jerry Jones believes Claiborne has the skill level to “be the guy we want to have out there” when the club moved up to the No. 6 spot of the 2012 draft to select the LSU star. This offseason and training camp will show whether Claiborne has laid the groundwork necessary to work his way back.
“I don’t need to really remind him or anyone the commitment we made and the commitment he made,” Jones said. “He’s got a lot of pride.”
Pride that has taken a hit.
Claiborne has two interceptions and has forced one fumble in his time with the Cowboys. He has missed seven games with injuries and lost his starting job as last season progressed to Orlando Scandrick.
There have been injuries. Wrist surgery heading into his rookie season. A concussion. A separated shoulder that hindered his effectiveness for much of last season and later a pulled hamstring. He had shoulder and finger surgery this offseason.
“There has been so much,” Claiborne said. “I can’t even explain all of it. But it has all gone to make me finally realize I can’t take something for granted.
“This ain’t no time to be running around feeling sad for yourself or down because this happened. You have to live every moment like it’s your last. I’m excited for the season.”
One reason Claiborne has been unable to grow into his potential is that injuries have cut into his practice time. He never stepped on the field in Oxnard his rookie season. His time in last year’s camp was limited.
“That’s definitely a big concern, being on the field and keeping yourself healthy,” Claiborne said. “That’s why I’ve been trying to do all of the little things I can do, not taking things for granted, not missing any ice baths, taking care of my body.
“If I won’t take care of it, no one else will. Being on the field getting those reps is really important. I had to find out the hard way, but I know now.”
When Claiborne did practice, it was not always with the focus and sense of urgency needed for improvement. He concedes he didn’t handle working through some of the aches and pain well because in part, he didn’t want to embarrass himself or “put bad tape up.”
He took walkthroughs for granted. He doesn’t now.
That happens when you feel like you can’t sink any lower.
“You feel like you have nowhere to go,” Claiborne said of the emotions that gripped him at the end of last season. “You feel like you’re hitting rock bottom, and you feel you have to turn it around.
“From all of that I feel like I’m a better man to this day.”
Coach Jason Garrett has mentioned Claiborne’s strong offseason on several occasions. The cornerback has improved his strength — a necessity — and was highlighted after the first practice of this camp for his work in fundamental drills.
Claiborne engaged in a series of spirited battles with receiver Terrance Williams on Saturday. He was locked up with Dez Bryant on Sunday. He broke up the first two passes to Bryant, but No. 88 got the best him on the next two.
“I think his demeanor is better than it’s been,” Garrett said of Claiborne. “He’s certainly becoming more and more mature, and I think his approach to playing the game, the physical nature, the competitiveness, is just getting better and better and better.
“That’s really what we saw in lot of ways at LSU.”
Claiborne’s role entering this camp is up for debate. Is he a starter or must he beat out Scandrick or Brandon Carr to again make that claim?
“I come into camp thinking I’m ready to work, no matter what it may be,” Claiborne said. “I plan on outworking my competition, if you put it like that.
“I want to stand out. Whatever I have to do, I’m willing to do that.”
