The Dallas Cowboys have invested a lot in cornerback Morris Claiborne, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Amid his third NFL season, Claiborne hasn't lived up to the hype.
On Tuesday, he was reportedly informed that Orlando Scandrick would take his spot in the starting lineup. Claiborne didn't take the news lightly. Or well.
According to Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com, the young defensive back left the Cowboys training facility and didn't participate in Tuesday's practice, which could result in a fine from the team.
Also included in Taylor's report are comments by owner and general manager Jerry Jones regarding Claiborne.
"Is he what we had hoped for at this point when we drafted him with the sixth overall pick, giving up the [second-round] pick to go up to the sixth pick to get him? No," said Jones, via 105.3 The Fan. "But he's going to be a good player."
Although Claiborne had the game-sealing interception in Week 3's comeback victory over the St. Louis Rams, he still gave up a number of big plays in that contest. One notable burn came when Rams wideout Brian Quick beat Claiborne for a 51-yard touchdown.
ESPNDallas.com's Calvin Watkins criticized Claiborne's play amid the poor effort versus St. Louis:
Scandrick was in action for the first time this season in Week 3 after serving a two-game suspension. Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com felt that Scandrick belonged as a starter on the outside:
The encouraging ending to Claiborne's performance this past Sunday was diminished by his reported antics at practice.
ESPN's Ed Werder noted that Dallas' maligned defense needs all hands on deck when facing Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints' high-octane offense in Week 4:
America's Team yielded 327 passing yards to unheralded Rams quarterback Austin Davis. There is cause for concern if Claiborne isn't available to face a Super Bowl MVP in Brees, who also has far more weapons.
The Cowboys have given Claiborne every chance to step up and emerge as an elite cornerback. It just hasn't happened, for whatever reason. Claiborne will have to return to the team soon and work hard to keep hold on a spot as a nickel cornerback. Otherwise, Sterling Moore has a chance to beat him out.
Standout linebackers Rolando McClain and Justin Durant are dealing with groin injuries, too, making it all the more difficult for Dallas to put up a strong fight against the Saints, even at home.
Claiborne has the talent to get it done. Whether this benching serves as a last-ditch wake-up call or the last straw in his disappointing Cowboys stint is mostly up to him.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1uXi3Xf
via IFTTT September 23, 2014 at 06:24PM
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