Out: Orlando Scandrick. In: Morris Claiborne.
Ring a bell?
Better late than never – but under undesirable circumstances – the Cowboys desperately need the former No. 6 overall draft pick to play like, well, a No. 6 overall draft pick. When Scandrick was carted off the field Tuesday afternoon in Oxnard with a torn ACL that will require season-ending surgery, it gave the starting right cornerback job to Claiborne.
From insurance policy to pressurized position. And, like yours, my confidence level in Dallas’ defense just took a measurable dip.
That’s because Claiborne has never been an impact player. In three years he has three interceptions, scoring a lone touchdown as a rookie in 2012 on a fumble recovery. The Cowboys traded up to nab him, but Deion Sanders he isn’t.
In fact he was beaten out by Scandrick last year before he suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon. But now, necessity just gave Claiborne a job promotion.
By all accounts Claiborne was diligent in his rehab and – though he didn’t play in the first two preseason games – has enjoyed a productive training camp in California.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
Still, I’d feel much more comfortable with Claiborne and his shaken confidence as a backup than a starter. A couple of mental breakdowns and – voila – the Cowboys are starting rookie Byron Jones.
That’s the dangerous thing about Scandrick’s injury. Not only what the Cowboys will miss. But also what they might get.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
