Claiborne: Cowboys' defensive goal is to go from worst to first

[morasp]

Jon Machota
FOX Sports Southwest
JUL 28, 2014 2:52p ET

OXNARD, Calif. - Morris Claiborne acknowledges that last year was an embarrassing one for the Dallas Cowboys defense.

As you're probably aware, the Cowboys finished last in the NFL in total defense, allowing 415 yards and 27 points per game.

"It's definitely embarrassing," Claiborne said, "especially when you know the type of talent you have on the team, but it's just not showing up."

There weren't many significant additions made in the off-season. DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher are gone and Sean Lee is out for the year with a knee injury. Defensive tackle Henry Melton was signed to replace Hatcher and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was drafted in the second round to replace Ware.

The Cowboys need big years from both Melton and Lawrence as well as defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford, who missed all of last season with an Achilles tendon injury.

A notable positive, the defense should have a better understanding of the Tampa-2 scheme now entering its second year. Also, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and chief operating officer Stephen Jones say the group is better on paper than it was at the end of last season.

So, what does Claiborne think?

"We were last in the league in defense and we're trying to be No. 1," he said. "That's our goal. We're not shying away from it."

http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/...sive-goal-is-to-go-from-worst-to-first-072814

 

[DallasEast]

Mrs. Incredible: Dash, if fan reaction to your comments goes south, I want you to run away as fast as you can.
Claiborne/Dash: AS FAST AS I CAN?
Mrs. Incredible: As fast as you can.


The article goes on to say how Rob Ryan's defense elevated from last to fourth from 2012 to 2013. I do not know how well Dallas's defense will bounce back this season. If key guys stay relatively healthy, I don't see how they will remotely repeat the same dysfunction as last year's performance.

 

[Doomsay]

"It's definitely embarrassing," Claiborne said, "especially when you know the type of talent you have on the team, but it's just not showing up."

The irony gene must be recessive in the Claiborne family.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

Good luck with that Mo. The talent isn't there for a number one defense.

 

[Moderately_Askew]

How dare Mo have confidence in himself and his fellow teammates.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

if MO will play like the pick he was, we could have that. Can you imagine if Carr or Scandrick is no longer our best CB? instant entire D improvement

 

[Denim Chicken]

I'll be happy going from worst to average.

 

[guag]

I like what I'm hearing thus far from Claiborne. Both what he says and what his actions are saying. I think he really wants this. I love the confidence. I hope it carries for the rest of the year.

 

[Sydla]

Yeah I'll gladly take worst to mediocre, thank you.

 

[The Natural]

No reason if healthy this shouldnt be a top 15 unit, I'm done accepting below average

 

[DoctorChicken]

Saints went from 32nd to 4th, and Marinelli > Ryan

Of course this team won't be the 1st ranked defense in the NFL. I don't really see anyone overtaking the Seahawks, but the Rams are absolutely stacked on defense. They could end up #1 when it's all said and done. Can't forget about the 49ers, Panthers, Jets, Cardinals and possibly Texans as well (damn, that NFC west sucks, doesn't it?) So no, this team won't have the #1 defense in the NFL.

But they can improve drastically, and I fully expect them to.

15-20 gets us into the playoffs. Anything else is "happy dance to that stupid Pharrell Williams song" time.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

It's nice to have goals but I would be giddy if he lived up to his own touted abilities first.

 

[Sydla]

I agree with DocChix.

If this defense can find it's way into the middle of the pack in the NFL with our offense (assuming Romo is fine), we are going to surprise some people, especially the Eagles who basically have penciled themselves in as the NFC East champs.

But being middle of the pack might still be a huge challenge for this group as there are a ton of question marks on almost every level - DL, LB and secondary.

 

[8FOR!3]

Idk if we have the personnel to be an elite defense, but if a lot of things go our way we should be a lot better than last year. We've got more depth defensively than we did last year. We didn't have the chance to prepare for Sean Lee going out last year, but this year we knew ahead of time what we had to work with. Hopefully Rolando McClain will stand out this year.

 

[DoctorChicken]

But being middle of the pack might still be a huge challenge for this group as there are a ton of question marks on almost every level - DL, LB and secondary.

There will be quite a few determining factors in how this defense performs -

Crawford. Is Crawford all of what Marinelli says he is? He'll be an important piece on the DL if he is.

Melton. Is he fully healthy? Can he perform like he did in 2012?

1-Tech. Lord knows Hayden isn't getting the job done. Who will b our 1-Tech?

McClain. If McClain wants to play, then he can. He's the best LB on the team if he wants to be.

Carter. Will he finally give a damn?

Claiborne. Will he live up to his draft status? Will he even be better than average?

Carr. Can he rebound?

If some of these things can come together, we're going to shock the hell out of some people.

 

[jaybird]

if MO will play like the pick he was, we could have that. Can you imagine if Carr or Scandrick is no longer our best CB? instant entire D improvement

I believe you MO!!! I'm buying-go de'fence

 

[jazzcat22]

I like it that Mo and some other players are making some comments about being better. They aren't really outlandish [except to some] and are the same comments most teams should make. And probably do, we just don't hear it or read it. They aren't making predicitions, just setting a high goal.

What are they supposed to say...we want to go from last to mediocre....to the middle of the pack.
That's like a team saying we are entering this year to have a winning record...instead of, we are entering this year to compete for a SB...

Realistically, yeah, probably not going to happen they are even in the top 10, but I want to hear they want to be the best, and will play their best to get there.

 

[NJ22]

I'll be happy going from worst to average.

If this D was #15 and our "coach" or intern would remove his head from his "back pocket" and run the &@& ball we would be right in the mix with top ten teams.