Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne: I’m just trying to make the team

[RS12]

OXNARD, CALIF.
Morris Claiborne has gone from the first defensive player taken in the 2012 NFL Draft at sixth overall to … well, a guy who says he’s just trying to make the team.

That’s how far Claiborne has fallen in what has been a disappointing pro career to date. The former LSU star has battled injuries and been mostly unproductive when he’s been on the field for the Cowboys.

How his pro career has unfolded has humbled Claiborne, to say the least.

“I’m trying to make the team,” Claiborne said after Friday’s walkthrough practice. “That’s how I look at this whole thing right now.”

What does Claiborne need to show in order to secure a spot?

“That I can play football,” he said. “Point blank


Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports...orner-blog/article29673031.html#storylink=cpy

 

[RS12]

Probably not a bad approach on his part,though I'd be surprised if he didnt make the squad, based on the cost of cut versus keep on the cap hit.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Im rooting for you Mo. Toughness and confidence bro.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Very sad. I can't believe what a bust he's been.

 

[Maxmadden]

Just hoping he can be a solid 3 or 4 CB at this point.

 

[starfrombirth]

I'm rooting for him too.. I was never wrapped up in the whole "we gave up so much for him" craze. I'm just disappointed that he didn't do better and always seemed to be injured. He's been humbled so that might motivate him to do the little things that make the difference between bust and great. Every knows he has talent now he just has to put it all together.

 

[chris1995]

Claiborne has everything to gain by playing good and staying on the field. His next payday depends on this factor.

 

[AmericasTeam81]

He has disappointed based on where he was drafted and what the team gave up to get him, but I'm still rooting for him. Good luck Mo!

 

[mitchell2254]

He makes me miss Jacque Reeves and Mario Edwards.

Never in my life imagined that being possible.

 

[CF74]

I'm just a squirrel.....

 

[whynot]

You can't ask much more from him than to have that attitude.
He gets pilloried here on the forum, but he seemed to be turning the corner last year before he got hurt. Hopefully the improvement continues, for all our sakes.
It could be worse, he could be RGIII...

 

[Bullflop]

Mo is 100% correct in thinking he needs to prove being a football player to redeem himself in the eyes of the fans. Poor performances and not being available has taken a serious toll on his reputation and ultimately his demeanor on this team. If he thinks he'd be better off in another location, he likely should guess again. His rep will only follow him anywhere he goes, as long as his on-field performance fails him.

He's 100% correct about getting back to basics and playing some solid football. It's the only way he'll find any real relief from the sad state he's gotten himself into. I've gotta admire his resolve to hang in there and fight to return to a more respectable place on this team but he absolutely must perform better now to save himself.

 

[noshame]

Ummm....Well, I'm hoping for the best, but don't be surprised if in a week or 2 it will be "hey coach, what's my role"

 

[FiveTime]

I'm rooting for him. I don't see a reason not to. If he can show some solid play it only benefits the team. He looks good in the picture at the top of the article. It appears that he is getting his weight back up. He's obviously smaller than Dez but Dez is a freak physical specimen.

 

[Bullflop]

I'm rooting for him. I don't see a reason not to. If he can show some solid play it only benefits the team. He looks good in the picture at the top of the article. It appears that he is getting his weight back up. He's obviously smaller than Dez but Dez is a freak physical specimen.

It's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog that counts. Even though he's 3 inches shorter than Dez and about 35 pounds lighter, he needs to recover his confidence and the aggression he had back at LSU before he can lay any valid claim to his recovery.

I'm really hoping for his return to prominance as well. Returning to a sound state of health is the first step he's had to make to get back to those "good old days."

If he can follow that up with solid performances on the field, maybe he'll have a good chance to recover from his sorely tarnished reputation. He seems quite dedicated to doing just that. Hopefully, some solid performances and success will follow his efforts.

 

[CCBoy]

I don't care how some wind the storyline out. I like Claiborne. He's a football player and despite difficulty and comparisons of the road traveled to now, he still has the tools and insights coached to excell. Yea, and excell well!

 

[DogFace]

On training camp live He happened to be in the background in a drill and dropped a perfect int pass.
He did look trimmer.
I have hopes but not much.

 

[The Natural]

He makes me miss Jacque Reeves and Mario Edwards.

Never in my life imagined that being possible.

The biggest problem with Mo has been his durability imo, not his skill set. He's light years above those guys he just hasn't been able to stay on the field.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Jammer was awful his first few years too and he turned it around. Its a marathon, not a sprint

 

[CCBoy]

In matters as this, I just recall Jimmy Smith.