Mo Claiborne’s hard work is finally paying off

Arlington, TX- Just over 4 years ago, the Cowboys took Morris Claiborne with their first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. The 6’0” cornerback was compared to Pro-Bowl corner Darrelle Revis coming out of the draft. The 6th overall pick had the height, vertical, and athleticism to be one of the top lockdown defenders in the league.

The first couple years as a pro didn’t go the way that the Cowboys had hoped for Claiborne. Claiborne has missed 23 games in his first four seasons, most notably missing 12 games in 2014 with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.

Claiborne didn’t quit. He went through countless rehabs, but still wasn’t able to play at his best.

In 2016, just 5 games through the season, Claiborne is playing like the 6th overall draft pick, and the best football of his career.

The Cowboys secondary has battled most of the top receivers in the NFL , already, just 5 weeks through the season. Odell Beckham Jr., DeSean Jackson, and Alshon Jeffery have all matched up against the Cowboys defense. The result- not a single one caught more than 5 passes for 73 yards.

The latest challenge came this past weekend, when A.J. Green and Company came into Jerry’s world for a primetime matchup.

“I knew that was going to be a challenge, challenging that guy on both ends,” Claiborne told Rob Phillips. “Even when he’s over there on Brandon’s side, Brandon (Carr) did a good job on him. When he came into the slot, the safeties did a good job with him. That was our whole game plan.”

The Cowboys embraced the challenge, holding Green to 4 catches for just 50 yards. On the first drive of the second half for the Bengals, Andy Dalton targeted A.J. Green, who was being covered by Claiborne. Claiborne got flagged for pass interference after what seemed to be a clean breakup.

Just three plays later, Claiborne was targeted again, this time, for real. Claiborne was lined up against Green on third down. Andy Dalton dropped back, and the race was on. A.J. Green sprinted 30-yards to the end zone with Claiborne chasing barely behind him. Claiborne seemed burned. Touchdown Bengals… not so fast. At the last second, Claiborne leaped up, twisting his body in mid-air, and at full extension, knocked Dalton’s pass away from Green. Not only did he save a touchdown, but the Bengals went on to miss the field goal attempt, maintaining the Cowboys shutout.

“He ran like an out route, a seven,” Claiborne said. “I kind of cut it off and he turned it up the field. I tried my best to run him down and get back to him, turn around and play the football.”

“We know they like to go deep to him, throw the ball to him, get those deep plays, and he’s a great player. I know our DB’s are not going to back down from no one, no matter how much respect you’ve got for their game. We respect you, but we’re coming to lace our shoes up.”

That single series, seemed to show the resilience that Claiborne has been flagged with during his career. First, getting called for a penalty, but not giving up and making the play of his career, saving a touchdown. The Cowboys emerging star has done a great job shutting down top receivers, with the help of Brandon Carr and the rest of the young talented secondary. You could say his hard work is paying off big time.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Claiborne told Ron Phillips. “This is what I’ve worked for. This is what I pray every day for. This is what I lay it out on the line for to go out and just try to make plays when I can for my teammates. I hate to put it on just being healthy, but it is. When you don’t have nagging injuries bothering you, you’re not uncomfortable with certain things hurting, you can just go out and play. I just thank God for my strength and keeping me healthy at this point.”

Even the Cowboys owner has high praise for the young star, saying:

“He has met his challenges, and that makes it even more impressive. He’s gotten better out there. He’s gotten more strength. He overcame his injuries. I think all of those things are coming to bear out there with the kind of season he’s having.”

As for the Cowboys next challenge, stopping the trio of Randall Cobb/Jordy Nelson/Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field.

“It’s gonna be a big challenge for us, it’s gonna be a big challenge for our secondary, and for our defense as a whole,” Claiborne said in his postgame interview on 10/9. “Aaron Rodgers is one of the best at doing it. Some of the things he do on the field you just can’t, it’s unbelievable… It’s gonna have to be a very discipline game for us with our disguises and stuff like that, just trying to give (him) different looks.”

-Connor Hall(@518SportsCHALL)