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Cowboys position review: Cornerback
January, 28, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
Dallas Cowboys reporter Todd Archer breaks down the team, position by position, analyzing what the players did in 2014, what they can do in the future and what the team can do to improve the position in 2015.
Under contract: Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, Tyler Patmon,Morris Claiborne, Robert Steeples
Free agents: Sterling Moore
A look back: Only four of the Cowboys’ 18 interceptions came from their cornerbacks in 2014. Scandrick had two. Claiborne and Patmon had one each.
Carr did not record an interception and struggled until late in the season. The turning point might have been Odell Beckham Jr.’s unbelievable one-handed catch for the New York Giants. Carr still gave up a big play or two and a touchdown, but he was more physical in all aspects of his game. He played more like the cornerback the Cowboys thought they were getting in 2012 when he signed as a free agent.
Scandrick’s season started with him suspended for two games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, but he had his most effective season. He remained one of the better slot corners in the league but did his best job on outside receivers and the coaches showed more faith in him by having him shadow wideouts all over the field.
Claiborne’s season was spotty at best and ended after just four games because of a torn patellar tendon. He lost his job to Scandrick and left the team facility briefly. Things have not gone well for the No. 6 overall pick of the 2012 draft. He has a long comeback from the surgery and is in the final year of his contract.
Moore had his best season but struggled in the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. He did not have an interception, either, but he led the team with 14 pass breakups. He showed he can play in the slot and outside.
Patmon is an interesting find. He made the team off a rookie minicamp tryout and had a pick-six against the Arizona Cardinals.
A look ahead: Carr is slated to count $12.7 million against the cap in 2015. The Cowboys will ask him to take a pay cut or be cut. While it appears an easy decision, Claiborne’s health complicates the matter a little bit. The Cowboys simply can’t just get rid of corners when they don’t have enough corners. If he plays the way he did in the final month-plus of the season, the Cowboys would be happy.
In 2013, the Cowboys cut Doug Free’s pay in half and saw him perform well in the last two seasons. They can hope Carr can do the same if he chooses to accept less money.
There is no reason to believe Scandrick’s play will fall off. He is smart, tough and more athletic than people realize. His smarts will keep him out of trouble on the field. He understands offensive concepts more than most defensive backs.
Despite what Jerry Jones said at the Senior Bowl, the Cowboys simply can’t pick up Claiborne’s fifth-year option for 2016. He has not shown the ability to stay healthy or play at a level worthy of where he was picked. And he is coming back from knee surgery.
Moore is a restricted free agent. The Cowboys want to keep him but his presence on the roster won’t keep the Cowboys from looking to upgrade. Patmon might not be a future starter but he is a guy who can help in sub packages.
A look out: With the 27th pick in the first round, the Dallas Cowboys select … a cornernback? Sure. Teams long have said "you can never have enough corners." We mentioned Moore is a restricted free agent. Claiborne is going into the final year of his deal. Carr’s deal ends in 2016. Scandrick is signed through 2018.
The Cowboys not only need numbers at the position, they need more ability. A better pass rush would make the coverage guys better. An intriguing draft possibility could be Miami University’sQuinten Rollins, an intriguing candidate because of his basketball background. Oregon’s Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is coming off a major knee injury but could be had later than expected.
Do not look for the Cowboys to be players at the high end of the free-agent market for guys likeDarrelle Revis, if he is available. But they could look for a stop-gap corner if they are not able to keep Carr.
January, 28, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
Dallas Cowboys reporter Todd Archer breaks down the team, position by position, analyzing what the players did in 2014, what they can do in the future and what the team can do to improve the position in 2015.
Under contract: Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, Tyler Patmon,Morris Claiborne, Robert Steeples
Free agents: Sterling Moore
A look back: Only four of the Cowboys’ 18 interceptions came from their cornerbacks in 2014. Scandrick had two. Claiborne and Patmon had one each.
Carr did not record an interception and struggled until late in the season. The turning point might have been Odell Beckham Jr.’s unbelievable one-handed catch for the New York Giants. Carr still gave up a big play or two and a touchdown, but he was more physical in all aspects of his game. He played more like the cornerback the Cowboys thought they were getting in 2012 when he signed as a free agent.
Scandrick’s season started with him suspended for two games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, but he had his most effective season. He remained one of the better slot corners in the league but did his best job on outside receivers and the coaches showed more faith in him by having him shadow wideouts all over the field.
Claiborne’s season was spotty at best and ended after just four games because of a torn patellar tendon. He lost his job to Scandrick and left the team facility briefly. Things have not gone well for the No. 6 overall pick of the 2012 draft. He has a long comeback from the surgery and is in the final year of his contract.
Moore had his best season but struggled in the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. He did not have an interception, either, but he led the team with 14 pass breakups. He showed he can play in the slot and outside.
Patmon is an interesting find. He made the team off a rookie minicamp tryout and had a pick-six against the Arizona Cardinals.
A look ahead: Carr is slated to count $12.7 million against the cap in 2015. The Cowboys will ask him to take a pay cut or be cut. While it appears an easy decision, Claiborne’s health complicates the matter a little bit. The Cowboys simply can’t just get rid of corners when they don’t have enough corners. If he plays the way he did in the final month-plus of the season, the Cowboys would be happy.
In 2013, the Cowboys cut Doug Free’s pay in half and saw him perform well in the last two seasons. They can hope Carr can do the same if he chooses to accept less money.
There is no reason to believe Scandrick’s play will fall off. He is smart, tough and more athletic than people realize. His smarts will keep him out of trouble on the field. He understands offensive concepts more than most defensive backs.
Despite what Jerry Jones said at the Senior Bowl, the Cowboys simply can’t pick up Claiborne’s fifth-year option for 2016. He has not shown the ability to stay healthy or play at a level worthy of where he was picked. And he is coming back from knee surgery.
Moore is a restricted free agent. The Cowboys want to keep him but his presence on the roster won’t keep the Cowboys from looking to upgrade. Patmon might not be a future starter but he is a guy who can help in sub packages.
A look out: With the 27th pick in the first round, the Dallas Cowboys select … a cornernback? Sure. Teams long have said "you can never have enough corners." We mentioned Moore is a restricted free agent. Claiborne is going into the final year of his deal. Carr’s deal ends in 2016. Scandrick is signed through 2018.
The Cowboys not only need numbers at the position, they need more ability. A better pass rush would make the coverage guys better. An intriguing draft possibility could be Miami University’sQuinten Rollins, an intriguing candidate because of his basketball background. Oregon’s Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is coming off a major knee injury but could be had later than expected.
Do not look for the Cowboys to be players at the high end of the free-agent market for guys likeDarrelle Revis, if he is available. But they could look for a stop-gap corner if they are not able to keep Carr.
