Cornerback Brandon Carr is the new favorite whipping boy of Dallas Cowboys fans because he has yet to live up to the $50.2 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2012.
Instead of becoming a shutdown corner, Carr has routinely be victimized for big plays. More pointedly, he has not countered with any plays of his own. He has just nine pass deflections and no interceptions in 2014. He has actually gone 29 games without an interception.
Coach Jason Garrett said earlier in the week the Cowboys have no thoughts of benching Carr because he remains a key part of the defense.
Owner Jerry Jones echoed Garrett on Thursday.
He acknowledged Carr has not lived up to the enormous expectations but said he is glad he is on the team and glad he is still paying him because of the size he brings to the cornerback position.
Jones still champions Carr’s ball skills and is hopeful that the seven-year veteran will make a play that will be a key part of a championship run to make up for this contract disappointment.
“Oh, I think that one of the things that create a challenge for him is it’s like the same one that a No. 1 draft pick has,” Jones said. “The expectation of what he’s supposed to bring to the table, is one that is really very difficult to meet.
“Now, has he played at a Pro Bowl level? No, he has not. And therein lies the issue. The expectation is that he would play at a Pro Bowl level. I’m not as hard on him as possibly it looks like we should be or others are because I know that he does give us a skill level and a size component back there that is very important to us right now.
“I’m glad we got him. I’m glad I’m paying him. Like everybody you’d like to have your deal squared up more to the value of where it is but that’s just part of this.
“And he’s very capable. He plays the ball well. One of his skills is how well he plays the ball and let’s hope that he makes that interception at the time that goes down in history for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Instead of becoming a shutdown corner, Carr has routinely be victimized for big plays. More pointedly, he has not countered with any plays of his own. He has just nine pass deflections and no interceptions in 2014. He has actually gone 29 games without an interception.
Coach Jason Garrett said earlier in the week the Cowboys have no thoughts of benching Carr because he remains a key part of the defense.
Owner Jerry Jones echoed Garrett on Thursday.
He acknowledged Carr has not lived up to the enormous expectations but said he is glad he is on the team and glad he is still paying him because of the size he brings to the cornerback position.
Jones still champions Carr’s ball skills and is hopeful that the seven-year veteran will make a play that will be a key part of a championship run to make up for this contract disappointment.
“Oh, I think that one of the things that create a challenge for him is it’s like the same one that a No. 1 draft pick has,” Jones said. “The expectation of what he’s supposed to bring to the table, is one that is really very difficult to meet.
“Now, has he played at a Pro Bowl level? No, he has not. And therein lies the issue. The expectation is that he would play at a Pro Bowl level. I’m not as hard on him as possibly it looks like we should be or others are because I know that he does give us a skill level and a size component back there that is very important to us right now.
“I’m glad we got him. I’m glad I’m paying him. Like everybody you’d like to have your deal squared up more to the value of where it is but that’s just part of this.
“And he’s very capable. He plays the ball well. One of his skills is how well he plays the ball and let’s hope that he makes that interception at the time that goes down in history for the Dallas Cowboys.”
