News: ESPN Names Morris Claiborne As Cowboy Who Would Benefit Most From Change Of Scenery

CCBoy

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ESPN Names Morris Claiborne As Cowboy Who Would Benefit Most From Change Of Scenery

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...is-claiborne-benefit-most-from-change-scenery





...Dallas Cowboys
: Technically, cornerback Morris Claiborne will be given the chance for a change of scenery because he will be a free agent in March, but last season he said numerous times he wants to stay in Dallas. The Cowboys made a bold move up in the 2012 draft to take Claiborne with the sixth overall pick. They said he was their highest-ranked defensive back since Deion Sanders. In four seasons, he recorded three interceptions, and has been unable to play a full slate of games, missing time because of a concussion and hamstring, knee and ankle injuries. When he played, he was solid, but he could never live up to the expectations of the No. 6 pick. -- Todd Archer

There is no doubt that Claiborne has not lived up to the expectations that come with being the sixth overall pick, or that come with the unfortunate comparison with Deion Sanders. But that doesn't mean you have to kick him to the curb. As Archer writes, when Claiborne has played, he has been solid, if unspectacular.

The Cowboys are in a peculiar position in that they have to make decisions on both of their starting corners from 2015. Bradon Carr carries a base salary of $9.1 million next season, and the Cowboys would like to reduce that number, possibly to zero if they release him. And moving on from both Carr and Claiborne at the same time would leave the Cowboys with the tall task of finding two new starting cailber cornerbacks this offseason.

But the fresh start Archer and ESPN are advocating for Claiborne may not have to come outside of Dallas. The Cowboys have been unusually thorough in finding a replacement for departed secondary coach Jerome Henderson. As Archer reported via Twitter, the Cowboys have already interviewed six secondary coaches:

  • Al Golden, former University of Miami head football coach (2011-15).
  • Steve Brown, assistant secondary coach for the Tennessee Titans (2012-present).
  • Joe Baker, the Cowboys' own assistant secondary and safeties coach (2012-present).
  • Tim Lewis, defensive back coach for the 49ers last year. DB coach and defensive coordinator for various NFL teams since 1993.
  • Mike Nolan, former 49ers head coach, and former defensive coordinator for the Ravens, Jets, Commanders, Giants, Broncos, Dolphins, and Falcons. Most recently the linebackers coach in San Diego.
  • Gil Byrd, former Tampa Bay secondary coach (2014-15), and previously worked with Rod Marinelli in Chicago from 2009-2012.
There's a good chance the Cowboys are conducting such a thorough search because they want to get their secondary back on track, but there's also a chance candidates are being asked how they believe they can get Claiborne playing up to his potential.

Of course, the last part could just be wishful thinking. For four years they Cowboys - and Claiborne - have had to live with the disappointment of not living up to the lofty expectations Claiborne was saddled with in Dallas. And while Claiborne has said all the right things about wanting to stay in Dallas and give it another try, those expectations may prove too much to overcome, for the Cowboys and for Claiborne.


Or the new secondary coach may be just the second chance Claiborne needs.
 

TheMarathonContinues

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Looking at the corners we have had and what they have done before or after us.......this wouldn't shock me one bit.
 

darthseinfeld

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CowboysZone LOYAL Fan
Mo is too weak minded for it to really bite us. CB's need to have a short memory and be able to recover from getting burned. Mo cant
 

Nation

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I don't think Mo has ever really been solid for any stretch of games
 

CCBoy

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Question: How much difference would a healthy Orlando Scandrick make for 2016? Would it ensure that Dallas could keep Byron Jones at safety?

Jon Machota: Having a healthy Orlando Scandrick on the field will make a difference, but I don't think that's the reason Byron Jones will be at free safety. The Cowboys think Jones' best position is safety. Because of injuries, they were forced to play him at corner. I think they'll try to keep him at one position going forward. But even if you tell me both Jones and Scandrick play all 16 games next season, I still think the Cowboys need to draft another defensive back early in April's draft. Jalen Ramsey will be the best option at No. 4 if they're looking for a DB. He has the unique athleticism like Jones where he can play multiple positions. If the Cowboys grabbed Ramsey at 4 he would likely start at corner. But I think his best position is at safety, meaning a Jones-Ramsey safety combo at some point in the future. If Dallas goes in a different direction at 4, maybe a CB will be added with their second round pick. Players who could make sense at that point: Eli Apple, Ohio State or William Jackson III, Houston.

http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...owboys-draft-rb-early-rounds-one-keep-eye?f=r

Myself, I would happily take a Ramsey and Jones pair at safety...right now.

Add in Scandrick and another cornerback or two...and let's see how the secondary compares then.
 

black label

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I see hardy going to another team and getting 15+ sacks next year rather than Clay even getting 1 pick in a season
 

Floatyworm

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I'm going to go out on a limb here. Before last season...I was ready to cut bait. But this season happened...and for a while he actually was playing decent. I thought he was turning a corner...and was coming around. People need to remember...that 7 wonderlic score. We might not be working w/ the brightest bulb to begin w/. But something was starting to click for him. Late bloomer....highly likely. I know people will want to move on....but it wouldn't shock me in the least to see him move on..and actually perform...when he is in his prime. Has Claiborne peaked??? I don't think so. I think his best is yet to come. Slow learner...probably. But if he is coming around...why not see this through? If he is willing to work....take a moderate incentive laden deal....I wouldn't be opposed to going another 2-3 years to finally see this through. You've already got this much invested. Why not see the fruits of this? I know a lot of people will say...but the injuries. Well football is a contact sport...and really look @ his injuries. They have been of the freakish kind. It's not like his bones are brittle...and he's gonna shatter on contact. Nope..I'm in the camp of let's see this through..for better or worse. And hopefully the Cowboys finally catch a break. :rolleyes:

Flame suit on...:)
 

Nightman

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I don't see how when that creates two more holes on a defense for a team that has limited resources this offseason.

They are already 0 INT Black Holes. They accounted for almost 20m on the salary cap last year for zero production. All they do is show up.

DAL has plenty of resources to replace them in the draft and FA. Plus we have

OScan
BJones
TMitchell
DOlatoye
 

RS12

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Then he'll go on and become a pro bowl corner for another team, while we sit here and wonder what CB will take in next years draft.

Why? Is he suddenly going to learn how to tackle and stop getting hurt on another team? Guy is a 4th corner on a good team.
 

kevm3

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Look at Pacman Jones on the Bengals. Terrance Newman looked decent on another team after he left here, when he was considered done in Dallas. Look at Ware. I bring Claiborne back for a decent, but not excessive contract. Corners are extremely expensive. Look at what Philly paid for Maxwell and look at how he performed.
 

Floatyworm

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Look at Pacman Jones on the Bengals. Terrance Newman looked decent on another team after he left here, when he was considered done in Dallas. Look at Ware. I bring Claiborne back for a decent, but not excessive contract. Corners are extremely expensive. Look at what Philly paid for Maxwell and look at how he performed.

Not only that...but your not gonna find a younger free agent in his prime than Mo. Something to consider....
 

mattjames2010

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They are already 0 INT Black Holes. They accounted for almost 20m on the salary cap last year for zero production. All they do is show up.

DAL has plenty of resources to replace them in the draft and FA. Plus we have

OScan
BJones
TMitchell
DOlatoye

What has Jones done as a CB that makes you excited about him at that position? Him getting dusted for late TDs in 3 games? That's not an impressive list you just showed. I mean, Mitchell and Olatoye? Two late round/undrafted guys? Scandrick, the nickel corner?

And I will ask once again, show me a FA CB we should sign. There are two quality starting CB on the market, Sean Smith and Jenkins. Who else? Amukamara? He's injured more than Mo, and doesn't play much better. Leon Hall? We rid of both Mo and Carr, despite them not being all-pro, we leave holes that will be tough to fill.
 
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