The interesting case of Morris Claiborne

[Hoofbite]

I'm still not sure I see the point of asking Carr to take a pay cut at this point. How are you gonna pitch that to him and what do you want to do with the money?

More importantly, why would he agree?

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I recall moments of good play interspersed with tons of plays of him thinking before moving and the WR just doing what they need to do while he thinks.
Once in a while he succeeded. Like what you mentioned. Many, many more times he was not doing what any of us would hope him to be doing.

Many more.

Im talking this past season, the few games he played in. Not saying he was all pro but the first few games he was decent. I really hope he turns it around

 

[ConstantReboot]

I can say up until now he looks clueless on the field. Like he hasn't even paid attention in the film room.
He looks like he has no instincts and that is because he has no idea what he is supposed to do to the point of instincts dominating when in the fire.

Anyone can argue injuries stopping from progress, but he has shown just about zero improvement from year to year.
None. I argued for him all the way up to now. Now... after rewatching the games he played... Man, I hope he turns everything around. I don't think he will, but I hope he does.

Thats because he really is that clueless. There is no reason to score a 4 on the wonderlic test. That either means your pretty dumb. Or your just too lazy to try and beat the test. I hope its the later. Because thats really low for any player. If its the later than that just means his too lazy to put effort into it which also translates what he does on the field.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I always wish the best for this guy, but he does not ever come off as a guy that burns to win.
You never hear about how he studies film. How he's the first one in and the last to leave. Works with coaches and players to improve technique...
I don't recall anything saying that about him.

I still don't. Anyone tweet how he's in Valley Ranch studying film? Working out? Anything? Ever?

I've lost hope on this guy and Byron Jones is the Anti-Claiborne: Smart, studies, desire to win, and measurables Clai could only dream of.
Let's go Jones!

He seems to be a hard worker. Just last year he won the Cowboys offseason award. The year before he bulked up from 185 to 193 in an effort to stay healthy and be stronger. Again he works hard.

Edit: I do recall the tweets last year about his battles with Dez and the year before in camp. Big whoop. That all really lead to something... So I don't want to hear it about that stuff because it happened in two consecutive camps and both years he underwhelmed when he did play.

Working hard doesn't make him good.

 

[kevm3]

Claiborne was never as bad as he was made out to be on here. As soon as he went out, funny enough, every other cornerback on this team was considered 'awful' aside from Scandrick. When you don't have a pass rush, your corners will get beat PERIOD. Claiborne's problem to me is how brittle he is. He can't stay on the field. I think he'll step it up if he can ever manage to stay on the field.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Claiborne will be ready for about 2-3 practices in training camp- get hurt somehow, and wont be on the field again until opening day. Im calling it now.

Guy has made 3 plays his entire career and whined like a baby in the process- by far my least favorite player on the team.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Im talking this past season, the few games he played in. Not saying he was all pro but the first few games he was decent. I really hope he turns it around

Which game? I honestly only can remember how many times he was burned in the Rams game.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Next. He's not good

 

[Silver N Blue]

OK- let me be blunt. I severely question his desire to be great. Point blank. How do you refute?

Exactly how can anyone count on anything from Morris "Don't Practice" Clairborne. I would rather keep Carr and his salary over the bust that Clairborne is.

 

[Teague31]

Which game? I honestly only can remember how many times he was burned in the Rams game.

I was at that game. It was brutal. I know he had the pick at the end but it was blatantly obvious the Rams whole
Game pan was to find 24 and torch him

 

[burmafrd]

I just do not think he has it mentally to ever be a consistent top CB. we blew the pick - and the scout that claimed he was the best prospect since Deion should be tarred, feathered and run out of town.

 

[Frozen700]

His best is mugging, and raping other WR's.

He will never be good.

 

[jterrell]

The average time in league of 1st time CB Pro bowlers is 3.75 years.
Claiborne is entering year 4. Does that mean I am saying he makes a Pro Bowl? ROFL, no.

But you don't give up on CBs too early and you don't give up on elite talent because it has flaws(unless they derail him completely).

There were a handful of teams calling Dallas last year for Mo when it circulated that he wasn't happy here playing zone coverages.

Anyone that thinks he has zero value is pretty football clueless.
He can man cover with ease.
(He can be bodied off inside routes and he can't tackle anyone without falling apart but the God-given ability to flip his hips and turn and run and stop and start on a dime if needed is there.)

He's clearly not football smart (forget the wonderlic and look at tape).

But slower to get things don't mean they won't come.
It just takes longer. Dez didn't light up the league in year 1 or 2 largely because he had only a fraction of the playbook.
It wasn't that he was lazy or dumb, he simply liked to do his work on the practice field and with the juggs machine.
Not everyone is a classroom guy.
The game isn't played there so I get it to some extent.

Mo will be in the same system with the same coaches again this year.
His time off may end up helping him mentally and physically.

And he is most definitely in a contract year. Make good and he will guarantee he retires a very rich man.

Dallas made the right call on the extension and Mo must now do his part.

The trade up to get Mo was a flop but his career doesn't have to be.
And how much of that remains with the Cowboys is far from certain.
It could be over before he ever takes live rep or it could last 8 more years.

 

[TheCount]

More importantly, why would he agree?

Yeah, that's kind of my question. What are you going to say to him that will get him to agree that he wants to give back money both parties agreed to. It's not like he's been benched or anything and we need veteran corner play.