The 2017 NFL Free Agency period has been a seemingly uneventful one for the Dallas Cowboys. While most people have been waiting for the Tony Romo shoe to drop, a lot of players from a team that was at the center of the NFL universe last season have been poached by other clubs. The picking and choosing continued on Thursday when word trickled out that cornerback Morris Claiborne is expected to sign with the New York Jets.
Former Cowboys' CB Morris Claiborne is expected to sign with the Jets, per league source. CB market now moving.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2017
News regarding Morris Claiborne’s departure came minutes – literally, a few minutes! – after word was announced that cornerback Brandon Carr has agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens (a shocking move in and of itself considering Carr was mulling over retirement). These moves mere minutes apart brought to an end what Rob Ryan thought was going to be a revolutionary cornerback tandem in the spring of 2012.
Morris Claiborne’s time in the blue and silver has been rocky at best. The Cowboys traded up to grab the LSU standout with the 6th Overall Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, forfeiting their 2nd Round Pick. At the time many celebrated a hopeful future in the Dallas secondary, but that future was never realized as Claiborne lacked both the confidence and physical durability to ever meet his true potential.
An offseason ago Morris Claiborne and the Cowboys reached a one-year “prove it” deal, where Mo bet on himself to have a campaign that would reward him with a fantastic long-term contract. He was off to a great start – Cowboys fans originally wanted him extended in the early fall – before suffering an injury that would essentially end his season on October 30th during an overtime win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Morris Claiborne has accounted for four interceptions while donning the Cowboys uniform, but perhaps none was more impressive than the one he pulled off on October 6th, 2013. That day the Cowboys and Broncos squared off for one of the most exciting games in NFL History. Peyton Manning was in the middle of what would ultimately become the finest statistical season that any quarterback has ever had. He threw his first interception of the season that day… a ball that landed in the hands of Morris Claiborne.
Fair thee well, Morris. Hopefully the Big Apple brings with it the confidence you seek and health stability you require. Thanks for the memories – what little there were – and for giving up one of the coolest possible jersey numbers to a new player, #24.
C-YA. totally overpaid draft flop.
Dept of How To Get Drafted High, Play Little, Then Hit Paydirt on Your F/A Deal…
;^)
I wanted Mo back but not at a high cap hit. Penciling starters right now it’s Carroll and the prospective #1 pick IMO. I’d still rather Scandrick work the slot than outside.
Remember that Byron Jones can cover and in a pinch be moved to CB. However if you are a low pick or a walk-on CB or S this year, Dallas is a good place to be. Those camp battles are going to be interesting.
Claiborne can go wherever he chooses Anywhere but here We drafted him because The redskins drafted RG3 And that hasn’t worked for neither team I hope he does well but he won’t be on the field long enough to do soo.