News: BTB: Thoughts on the drafting of Mo Claiborne

[CCBoy]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...ere-thinking-about-dallas-cowboys-type-things


Rabblerousr: Mo Claiborne had no business being labeled the "best defensive prospect" in the NFL draft. Looking back at his college measurables, what trait(s) did he have that would allow him to win one-on-one battles?

• Height: 5-11: not a tall corner
• Weight: 188: not heavy; a bit light even.
• Arm length: 33 1/4: this is his one outstanding trait, and gives him length that his height doesn't merit
• 40 time: 4.5: fairly pedestrian, even for a "big" corner. 10th in his draft class.
• Vertical: 34.5: five inches shorter than the top score in his class; tied for 15th overall
• Broad: 118.0: A full 15 inches shorter than top score Josh Robinson; 19th in his class
• Three-cone drill: 7.01: Top score: 6.55; Claiborne 20th in his class
• 20-yard shuttle: 4.12: .22 seconds behind top score; 12th overall
• No bench press.

Pre-draft analysis allows that he has terrific body control (although this is belied by his sub-par three-cone and 20-yard shuttle scores) and good length (which, as we've seen, really boils down to his arms).

So, this begs the question: was Mo rated so high because he has long arms and played for LSU?

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

Scouts believed he had the ball skills of the next Deion. They were wrong. That is why there was a change in the scouting department. He was very good in college, it just hasn't translated to the NFL. Gives to much cushion, receivers get unbelievable seperation in zone or man it seems. Right now he isn't serviceable. I'm hoping he gets healthier and figures this thing out early in the season or they will pick on him a lot.

 

[stilltheguru]

Scouts believed he had the ball skills of the next Deion. They were wrong. That is why there was a change in the scouting department. He was very good in college, it just hasn't translated to the NFL. Gives to much cushion, receivers get unbelievable seperation in zone or man it seems. Right now he isn't serviceable. I'm hoping he gets healthier and figures this thing out early in the season or they will pick on him a lot.

Healthier? Lol he's fine. He just sucks

 

[erod]

Unless something changes fast, this pick will join Shante Carver, Kavika Pittman, Ebenezar Ekuban, Felix Jones, and the passing of Randy Moss, as Jerry's worst draft decisions.

That's quite a list there, Jerry.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

Healthier? Lol he's fine. He just sucks

You are right should've said stay healthy. Really a darn shame how bad he is at the moment. Still I hold out for an improved pass breaking tackling Mo. Think about it, how sweet would that be? I want a corner that can hit. Never seen him put a lick on anyone =(

 

[erod]

I think the only hope for this guy is to drop him to free safety. I still don't see these ball skills we were sold on. Maybe back there, he can flash.

 

[stilltheguru]

You are right should've said stay healthy. Really a darn shame how bad he is at the moment. Still I hold out for an improved pass breaking tackling Mo. Think about it, how sweet would that be? I want a corner that can hit. Never seen him put a lick on anyone =(

Training camp tough .

 

[CCBoy]

I think the only hope for this guy is to drop him to free safety. I still don't see these ball skills we were sold on. Maybe back there, he can flash.

I don't know that he could stand up to the in box demands.

 

[ShiningStar]

Im still willing to give this time. I dont know why but i am, maybe im tired of trotting out the best pick since "whoever" days. OR every pick we make is the right pick. I think this is a lesson to remind some fans, just because Dallas chose them, doesnt mean they are the greatest ever;. And how they can see some past drafts and still think that i dont know but they do.

 

[xwalker]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...ere-thinking-about-dallas-cowboys-type-things

Rabblerousr: Mo Claiborne had no business being labeled the "best defensive prospect" in the NFL draft. Looking back at his college measurables, what trait(s) did he have that would allow him to win one-on-one battles?

• Height: 5-11: not a tall corner
• Weight: 188: not heavy; a bit light even.
• Arm length: 33 1/4: this is his one outstanding trait, and gives him length that his height doesn't merit
• 40 time: 4.5: fairly pedestrian, even for a "big" corner. 10th in his draft class.
• Vertical: 34.5: five inches shorter than the top score in his class; tied for 15th overall
• Broad: 118.0: A full 15 inches shorter than top score Josh Robinson; 19th in his class
• Three-cone drill: 7.01: Top score: 6.55; Claiborne 20th in his class
• 20-yard shuttle: 4.12: .22 seconds behind top score; 12th overall
• No bench press.

Pre-draft analysis allows that he has terrific body control (although this is belied by his sub-par three-cone and 20-yard shuttle scores) and good length (which, as we've seen, really boils down to his arms).

So, this begs the question: was Mo rated so high because he has long arms and played for LSU?

He seemed to be a unanimous pick as the top CB and top defensive player by all draft analysts in that draft.

The interesting thing is that nobody was worried about him after his rookie season. His label as a bust is all based on 2013 and 1 game in 2014. I don't disagree that he seems to be a bust now, but he was decent in the Rob Ryan defense. Playing zone requires more intelligence than playing man and they've played a lot of zone since Kiffin/Marinelli took over. I'm not sure if he will ever be good in zone. If he played primarily man and stayed healthy, he might be a decent CB, but it seems that both of those things are unlikely to happen.

Players with similar measurables have been successful in the NFL:

Joe Haden
Arm length: 32-3/4"
Height: 5106
Weight: 193
40 Yrd Dash: 4.52
20 Yrd Dash: 2.56
10 Yrd Dash: 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 18
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.34
3-Cone Drill: 6.94

Morris Claiborne
Arm length: 33 1/4
Weight: 188
40 Yrd Dash: 4.50 (4.43 Pro Day)
20 Yrd Dash: 2.56
10 Yrd Dash: 1.57
225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 34 1/2 (35 Pro Day)
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.12
3-Cone Drill: 7.01

 

[perrykemp]

Listen, some guys just bust. The NFL has a long and rich history of can't miss Top 10 prospects who have turned out to be really bad players.

The only true red flag I saw about Claiborne coming out was his 4 Wonderlic score. I know his camp tried to pass it off though he blew it off due to a learning disability or something, however, DEAR GOD A 4 WONDERLIC MEANS YOUR DUMB. A score of 4 is so low it means you have barely enough processing cycles in your brain do basic bodily functions like breathing and blinking.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

To a lot of people, me included, thot he was the bees knees.
then his stock started dropping faster than Jerra's pants.

It is easy to second-guess a draft pick. But his rep preceded his drafting and all we and the scouts heard was great. But I never heard about the 4 wonderlik score. LOL

He make Vince Young look like a gunus!

 

[Zekeats]

I don't know that he could stand up to the in box demands.

In the box demands.....what year are we in 1994?

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm hoping he gets healthier

I'm getting tired of saying that. It will be virtully impossible to defend this pick after this year when the 3 year rule expires.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Now that O-scan is back, I would seriously be shopping Claiborne. First call is to the Jets to see what they will offer. TB just lost Mike Jenkins for the year. Maybe they will bite. A second round pick and he is good as gone.

I'd dump Carr too. But, nobody giving up anything for him. Got to wait until next year to dump him.

 

[Zman5]

I don't think it's physical but more mental with Mo. Either he is just too dumb or not dedicated in his preparation (film study, practice) work to be any better than just average.

And as stated from the OP, he isn't overly superior physically to make up for his lack of mental preparation.

Sean Lee isn't that physically imposing but what make him so good is all the extra things he does getting ready for the game.

 

[wileedog]

Unless something changes fast, this pick will join Shante Carver, Kavika Pittman, Ebenezar Ekuban, Felix Jones, and the passing of Randy Moss, as Jerry's worst draft decisions.

That's quite a list there, Jerry.

I don't think there is a GM in the league who survives more than two of those moves. Not to mention the Roy trade which helped lead to the entire 2009 draft being a complete wash.

 

[CyberB0b]

The interesting thing is that nobody was worried about him after his rookie season. His label as a bust is all based on 2013 and 1 game in 2014. I don't disagree that he seems to be a bust now, but he was decent in the Rob Ryan defense.

Obviously, people are going to give the #6 overall guy more than a season before labeling him a bust. He was compared to Patrick Peterson coming out, and he was never half athlete Peterson was. His coverage skills were supposed to be superior, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Crown Royal]

He seemed to be a unanimous pick as the top CB and top defensive player by all draft analysts in that draft.

The interesting thing is that nobody was worried about him after his rookie season. His label as a bust is all based on 2013 and 1 game in 2014. I don't disagree that he seems to be a bust now, but he was decent in the Rob Ryan defense. Playing zone requires more intelligence than playing man and they've played a lot of zone since Kiffin/Marinelli took over. I'm not sure if he will ever be good in zone. If he played primarily man and stayed healthy, he might be a decent CB, but it seems that both of those things are unlikely to happen.

Players with similar measurables have been successful in the NFL:

Jo

I would say that I felt that the tentativeness he had in his first year would go away. if anything, it has gotten worse. He let too many easy slants happen the other day on third down by playing off. Dunno if that's design or not, but you can't give that to the WR.

 

[sureletsrace]

Now that O-scan is back, I would seriously be shopping Claiborne. First call is to the Jets to see what they will offer. TB just lost Mike Jenkins for the year. Maybe they will bite. A second round pick and he is good as gone.

I'd dump Carr too. But, nobody giving up anything for him. Got to wait until next year to dump him.

No sober person would give up a 2nd round pick for a corner who has done nothing in the NFL.