How Good Will Claiborne Be?

[AMERICAS_FAN]

He'll be a Hall of Famer

 

[honyock]

Most people seem to agree that Peterson is better but I don't think so

Peterson is definitely way more athletic and much more valuable as a return man

However, as a pure cover corner, I think Claiborne is significantly better..I think Peterson is more raw with more upside..but I think claiborne is definitely better when they both came out

If the highest-grade-since-Deion story is true, it sounds like the Cowboy scouting dept had him rated higher than Peterson.

 

[Frozen700]

Seriously?

No, seriously!?

 

[JBond]

Worryingly, some things about Terence Newman apply to Claiborne, too.

Newman was taken #5 overall in the draft by Dallas; Claiborne was taken #6. Newman won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in college football; so did Claiborne. How do we know Claiborne's going to be better than T-New?

If he has the cover skills of tnew in his prime with better hands I will be happy.

 

[Everson24]

I see a faster Everson Walls which would be extremely good. I can also see the combination of Champ Bailey and Derelle Revis. We can only hope.

 

[Everson24]

Brass tacks: Mo reminds me of two guys: Mike Haynesworth and ROD Woodson. He's just as fluid, graceful and athletic as those two: yeah, they're hall of famers and I DO have that high of hopes for this kid. (I know I went old school on some of you, but do yourself a favor and youtube video of both if you are younger: YOU'LL see lots of similarities with claibornes' game)

You mean Mike Haynes. I can see that too. I also thought about Rod Woodson because of the way they play the ball in the air. But Woodson was much more physical in the running game than Mo will be.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Worryingly, some things about Terence Newman apply to Claiborne, too.

Newman was taken #5 overall in the draft by Dallas; Claiborne was taken #6. Newman won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in college football; so did Claiborne. How do we know Claiborne's going to be better than T-New?

To me, they really aren't alike at all. Newman was truly a tremendously explosive athlete -- his measurables pretty much blow Claiborne's away (as well as most others, even good corners). But Claiborne has better hands and probably better feel for the game.

Don't think he's like Bailey or Woodson (either Woodson), either, who were also rare athletes.

I think Claiborne is probably going to be more like a Mike Jenkins type, hopefully the 2009 version. Maybe Joe Haden.

 

[perrykemp]

He'll be a Hall of Famer

One worry with Claiborne as a future HOFer (and yes, I know we are looking 17-22 years or so until this might happen) is he isn't a burner. From what I've read he ran between a 4.47 and a 4.50 at the combine.

That definitely won't affect him anytime in the next 7-8 years, however, HOFer CBs seem like they play roughly 15 year careers -- as time goes by these guys lose speed. If you starting speed wasn't top end, it gives you less speed to lose and therefore possibly limited your productivity in the later portions of a career.

Hope he proves me wrong.

 

[Everson24]

From 2003 to 2009 Newman was a top 5-10 corner if you average all those years together. A solid argument can be made that he was the best pure cover man in the league in 2005.

I think Terence Newman could have been so much better but injuries and Campo's coaching ruined him.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

If he's Mel Renfro, we are blessed. I hope he is not Sanders; he is as annoying as TO

 

[perrykemp]

I'm excited to see <what kind> of CB he ends up being.

If you look at the best (HOF caliber) CBs of the last 20 years or so, the styles are so different:

• Deon - Pure Cover Corner. Totally shut down his man and whole portions of the field. Great at intercepting the ball (53 picks) Was worse than bad in run support and tackling (0 Forced Fumbles in his entire career), 1 sack. Big Play Guy on defense - 9 TDs.

• Champ Bailey - Very Good Cover Corner. 50+ Interceptions, Solid tackler. 3 career sacks and 7 forced fumbles. OK on big plays: 4 TDs

• Charles Woodson. Good Cover Corner (however, probably the least "cover" corner'ish of the bunch) although 54 Interceptions, big time tackler -- lots of tackles, lots of sacks (15), and tons of forced fumbles - 23. Also a big play guy - 11 TDs.

If I had to guess and which of those guys Claiborne's game might most look like I'd say Champ Bailey. I don't see Claiborne with the athleticism of Deon or the ruggedness of Woodson, however, I very much think he might end up being a Champ Bailey style shut down corner.

 

[Apollo Creed]

To me, they really aren't alike at all. Newman was truly a tremendously explosive athlete -- his measurables pretty much blow Claiborne's away (as well as most others, even good corners). But Claiborne has better hands and probably better feel for the game.

Don't think he's like Bailey or Woodson (either Woodson), either, who were also rare athletes.

I think Claiborne is probably going to be more like a Mike Jenkins type, hopefully the 2009 version. Maybe Joe Haden.

Newman lost every bit of that explosiveness early in his career because he was already older and seemed to always and I mean always battling some injury. Even when he played games he wasnt near 100% during most of his career.

Outside of Claiborne having a better feel for the game like you said, his durability will hopefully what seperates him from Newman. But if he plays like Newman did early in his career then I'm cool with it, 41 used to be a guy that could follow his guy around all day and shut him down all over the field. I'll never forget what he did to Steve Smith that day in Charlotte, I've never seen him dominated like that, so frustrated that he got ejected after Newman slammed him after his lone catch of the day.

 

[CATCH17]

Im a huge Claiborne fan but he has to get more physical when tackling.

He plays Corner like a receiver and he also tackles like he is a receiver.

Covering just isn't an issue though.

 

[perrykemp]

He plays Corner like a receiver and he also tackles like he is a receiver.

 

[CATCH17]

You can make all the faces you want but he is pathetic at tackling at times.


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But im not worried. I was probably the 1st person on this board wanting him to be a Cowboy way back in early September.

 

[perrykemp]

You can make all the faces you want but he is pathetic at tackling at times.

I wasn't questioning your statement -- I was simply admiring your phrasing.

 

[FLcowboy]

I think he can definitely make some pro bowls. His superstar status will depend on his willingness to improve.

So far, after reading his press and watching his highlight films, I don't see or hear of any Dez Bryant in this guy. Makes me wonder if maybe some Mo Claiborne can rub off on Dez.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Newman was weird. He was an explosive athlete, but he little fluidity or grace to athleticism. He seemed so spastic with limbs flying everywhere.

I'm hoping Claiborne is Aqib Talib, but without the nutcase tendencies.

 

[GroundUp]

....every report I've read has said Mo is better and it isn't that close: talked to a few LSU fans online: they said the same: they preferred Mo.

And I concur, Mo is a better cover corner, Peterson has the edge in athleticism.

 

[Idgit]

..But im not worried. I was probably the 1st person on this board wanting him to be a Cowboy way back in early September.

Don't want to brag, but I wanted the guy back in late August last year.