- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,327
Sabin: Dallas Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne makes amends early, but end result stings of regret
By Rainer Sabin Staff Writer rsabin@dallasnews.com
Published: 06 October 2013 11:16 PM
Updated: 07 October 2013 11:11 AM
ARLINGTON — At his locker, Morris Claiborne grimaced instead of smiled. He talked about regret more than redemption. He dwelled on his team’s shortcomings rather than crow about his own achievements.
“It hurts,” the Cowboys cornerback said. “This one really hurts. I felt something about this loss I haven’t felt in a long time. It hurt.”
In the aftermath of Dallas’ 51-48 defeat to Denver on Sunday, Claiborne was as downtrodden as his teammates who hovered near him. Sean Lee. Barry Church. Will Allen. Brandon Carr.
They all looked whipped. Claiborne did, too.
But on a day when the Cowboys’ defense allowed Peyton Manning to throw for 414 yards and complete 79 percent of his passes, the only one in this haggard bunch who came away from this loss not feeling completely demoralized was Claiborne.
After all, the cornerback, whose performance this season has been roundly criticized, had a hand in the only two Broncos turnovers. In the first quarter, Claiborne pounced on Denver receiver Eric Decker’s fumble, which was caused by linebacker Ernie Sims. The turnover, claimed at the Broncos’ 45-yard line, set up Dallas’ second scoring drive that gave the Cowboys a 14-0 lead. Later, Claiborne made an even bigger play.
With the setting sun illuminating the field late in the third quarter, Manning heaved a deep pass intended for Decker. Earlier in the game, Decker had maneuvered past Claiborne downfield to make 57-yard catch despite Claiborne being flagged for defensive holding.
This time, however, Claiborne prevailed. He made a leaping catch of a Manning pass at the Cowboys’ 49-yard line. It was Claiborne’s second career interception and the first one Manning threw in 227 attempts. Four plays later, the Cowboys scored a touchdown and two-point conversion to seize a 41-38 lead with 13:48 left in regulation.
Maybe, just maybe, Claiborne would be the defensive hero.
It would have been quite the story had the Cowboys held on to win. Claiborne, after all, had stumbled in the first four games. He suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the opener against the New York Giants after missing the entire preseason with an injured knee.
Claiborne’s health issues seemed to affect his performance as he was repeatedly burned by opposing receivers. Heading into this Sunday, Claiborne had surrendered 332 passing yards — the third-most by any defender in the NFL.
As Claiborne struggled and the criticism amplified, his playing time decreased. Commenting on how Claiborne had fared in his second season Thursday, owner Jerry Jones said he was “disappointed.” Head coach Jason Garrett offered his own critique, saying poor technique and diminished confidence was contributing to Claiborne’s problems.
Claiborne, meanwhile, insisted he was fine and insinuated that the defense’s reliance on zone coverage schemes was adversely affecting him.
Then came Sunday, when Claiborne experienced an afternoon of atonement.
“This is Year 2, and he’s finding his way,” Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr said. “Today was a big challenge for our secondary and our defense as a whole. I think he showed some resiliency. He bounced back despite all that has been happening. He came ready to play and kept that chip on his shoulder and made some big plays for us.”
In the end, however, they didn’t push the Cowboys over the top. The Broncos receivers had their way, using pick routes to throw off Dallas’ defensive backs, who were predominantly in man coverage.
“I feel like we held up pretty good,” Claiborne said. “We just didn’t make enough plays.”
On a day when few thought Claiborne would be the one to rise to the challenge, he did his part. The rest of Cowboys defenders didn’t and that’s why, along with Claiborne, they were left dazed and defeated in the locker room.
“It was very emotional,” Claiborne said. “Just all the things I’ve been going through, period. To come out and get an interception and recover a fumble …
“But it still wasn’t enough.”
And so Claiborne walked out of AT&T Stadium unsatisfied. On a day when he earned a measure of redemption, the Cowboys gave up 51 points and lost. All that was left was a feeling of emptiness.
By Rainer Sabin Staff Writer rsabin@dallasnews.com
Published: 06 October 2013 11:16 PM
Updated: 07 October 2013 11:11 AM
ARLINGTON — At his locker, Morris Claiborne grimaced instead of smiled. He talked about regret more than redemption. He dwelled on his team’s shortcomings rather than crow about his own achievements.
“It hurts,” the Cowboys cornerback said. “This one really hurts. I felt something about this loss I haven’t felt in a long time. It hurt.”
In the aftermath of Dallas’ 51-48 defeat to Denver on Sunday, Claiborne was as downtrodden as his teammates who hovered near him. Sean Lee. Barry Church. Will Allen. Brandon Carr.
They all looked whipped. Claiborne did, too.
But on a day when the Cowboys’ defense allowed Peyton Manning to throw for 414 yards and complete 79 percent of his passes, the only one in this haggard bunch who came away from this loss not feeling completely demoralized was Claiborne.
After all, the cornerback, whose performance this season has been roundly criticized, had a hand in the only two Broncos turnovers. In the first quarter, Claiborne pounced on Denver receiver Eric Decker’s fumble, which was caused by linebacker Ernie Sims. The turnover, claimed at the Broncos’ 45-yard line, set up Dallas’ second scoring drive that gave the Cowboys a 14-0 lead. Later, Claiborne made an even bigger play.
With the setting sun illuminating the field late in the third quarter, Manning heaved a deep pass intended for Decker. Earlier in the game, Decker had maneuvered past Claiborne downfield to make 57-yard catch despite Claiborne being flagged for defensive holding.
This time, however, Claiborne prevailed. He made a leaping catch of a Manning pass at the Cowboys’ 49-yard line. It was Claiborne’s second career interception and the first one Manning threw in 227 attempts. Four plays later, the Cowboys scored a touchdown and two-point conversion to seize a 41-38 lead with 13:48 left in regulation.
Maybe, just maybe, Claiborne would be the defensive hero.
It would have been quite the story had the Cowboys held on to win. Claiborne, after all, had stumbled in the first four games. He suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the opener against the New York Giants after missing the entire preseason with an injured knee.
Claiborne’s health issues seemed to affect his performance as he was repeatedly burned by opposing receivers. Heading into this Sunday, Claiborne had surrendered 332 passing yards — the third-most by any defender in the NFL.
As Claiborne struggled and the criticism amplified, his playing time decreased. Commenting on how Claiborne had fared in his second season Thursday, owner Jerry Jones said he was “disappointed.” Head coach Jason Garrett offered his own critique, saying poor technique and diminished confidence was contributing to Claiborne’s problems.
Claiborne, meanwhile, insisted he was fine and insinuated that the defense’s reliance on zone coverage schemes was adversely affecting him.
Then came Sunday, when Claiborne experienced an afternoon of atonement.
“This is Year 2, and he’s finding his way,” Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr said. “Today was a big challenge for our secondary and our defense as a whole. I think he showed some resiliency. He bounced back despite all that has been happening. He came ready to play and kept that chip on his shoulder and made some big plays for us.”
In the end, however, they didn’t push the Cowboys over the top. The Broncos receivers had their way, using pick routes to throw off Dallas’ defensive backs, who were predominantly in man coverage.
“I feel like we held up pretty good,” Claiborne said. “We just didn’t make enough plays.”
On a day when few thought Claiborne would be the one to rise to the challenge, he did his part. The rest of Cowboys defenders didn’t and that’s why, along with Claiborne, they were left dazed and defeated in the locker room.
“It was very emotional,” Claiborne said. “Just all the things I’ve been going through, period. To come out and get an interception and recover a fumble …
“But it still wasn’t enough.”
And so Claiborne walked out of AT&T Stadium unsatisfied. On a day when he earned a measure of redemption, the Cowboys gave up 51 points and lost. All that was left was a feeling of emptiness.
