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Scandrick tells Morris Claiborne to 'stay off the ground,' but he's not listening
By Brandon George
OXNARD, Calif. -- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne's NFL career has been plagued by injuries and disappointment. But the past two years, he's started fast at training camp.
Claiborne is making plays all over the field through the first four training camp practices, diving for pass breakups and playing as physically as anyone. It's similar to the way he looked to start last year's training camp.
But considering Claiborne's long injury history, is it the best idea for him to be hitting the ground so much?
The Cowboys coaches want their players to stay off the ground. They don't want players tackling to the ground. They don't want injury risks.
But all the players are competing for jobs and know they must perform at a high level in practices. It's a tough balance.
Claiborne had three pass breakups in the first padded practice Monday, often getting the best of receiver Dez Bryant. He said cornerback Orlando Scandrick offered him some advice while on the sideline Monday.
"I was talking to Orlando on the sideline, it's just pacing yourself, try not to burn yourself out too early," Claiborne said. "That's one of the things I'm keeping in my mind, not in the back of it but in the front of my mind, just trying to make it all the way through the season and stay healthy. It's kind of a hard with a young guy like myself. I see Brandon [Carr] and Orlando all the time, they're able to keep that same pace all the way through camp and that's something where I'm trying to get to."
Claiborne didn't seem to take Scandrick's advice to heart. On Tuesday, Claiborne hit the ground at least twice trying to break up a pass. Once, he stripped the ball away from Bryant.
"I don't know about pacing yourself. He goes hard," Scandrick said about Claiborne. "I just told him to try to stay off the ground. Nothing good happens when you're on the ground. Mo plays so hard, dives and breaks up a lot of passes. I just told him, 'Try to stay off the ground. Try to eat right and stay hydrated.'"
By Brandon George
OXNARD, Calif. -- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne's NFL career has been plagued by injuries and disappointment. But the past two years, he's started fast at training camp.
Claiborne is making plays all over the field through the first four training camp practices, diving for pass breakups and playing as physically as anyone. It's similar to the way he looked to start last year's training camp.
But considering Claiborne's long injury history, is it the best idea for him to be hitting the ground so much?
The Cowboys coaches want their players to stay off the ground. They don't want players tackling to the ground. They don't want injury risks.
But all the players are competing for jobs and know they must perform at a high level in practices. It's a tough balance.
Claiborne had three pass breakups in the first padded practice Monday, often getting the best of receiver Dez Bryant. He said cornerback Orlando Scandrick offered him some advice while on the sideline Monday.
"I was talking to Orlando on the sideline, it's just pacing yourself, try not to burn yourself out too early," Claiborne said. "That's one of the things I'm keeping in my mind, not in the back of it but in the front of my mind, just trying to make it all the way through the season and stay healthy. It's kind of a hard with a young guy like myself. I see Brandon [Carr] and Orlando all the time, they're able to keep that same pace all the way through camp and that's something where I'm trying to get to."
Claiborne didn't seem to take Scandrick's advice to heart. On Tuesday, Claiborne hit the ground at least twice trying to break up a pass. Once, he stripped the ball away from Bryant.
"I don't know about pacing yourself. He goes hard," Scandrick said about Claiborne. "I just told him to try to stay off the ground. Nothing good happens when you're on the ground. Mo plays so hard, dives and breaks up a lot of passes. I just told him, 'Try to stay off the ground. Try to eat right and stay hydrated.'"
