Cowboys cornerback Claiborne tired of being called a ‘bust’

Morris Claiborne is determined to drop the “bust” label he’s been handed by many Dallas Cowboys fans. Of course, there’s a reason the sixth overall draft choice in 2012 has that dubious title.

Claiborne has missed 24 of a possible 64 regular-season games in his career with injuries, and has been sidelined much of his four training camps and most of the team’s preseason games. He didn’t do himself any favors, either, when he stormed out of the locker room in 2014 upon learning of a demotion from a starting role.

Plus, when he’s been healthy, Claiborne hasn’t produced on the field like a top-10 talent. He has only three career interceptions, his last coming in Week 3 of 2014, and 27 pass breakups in 40 games, including 36 starts.

Claiborne, though, is determined to change the narrative this season.

“I’m not comfortable being called a bust,” Claiborne said. “I’m not going to let it sit back and be there. I’m going to do something about it. I’m going to get up and rise to the occasion.”

Claiborne is off to a strong start in doing that in training camp. He emerged as the star of the day during the first padded practice Monday, breaking up multiple passes and containing receivers such as Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams.

This has become a familiar storyline for Claiborne in recent years — getting off to a fast start during training camp and then fading in the season because of injuries or unproductive play.

But Claiborne is convinced this year will be different. He’s grown tired of answering “bust” questions.

“I get really, really tired of talking about it,” Claiborne said. “I’ve got to go out and do my job. Period, point blank. Give you guys something else to talk about.”

Those within the Cowboys’ organization still believe in Claiborne. They didn’t pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract before last season, but liked him enough to re-sign him this off-season.

Claiborne found a relatively soft free-agent market with only a handful of teams expressing some interest, and chose to stay with the Cowboys on a one-year, $3 million deal. The contract has a $500,000 signing bonus and a $1.25 million base salary with another $750,000 in incentives.

Coach Jason Garrett is among those who are high on Claiborne and his ability. After all, Claiborne is only 26 and could just now be entering his prime years.

Asked if the Cowboys still see the upside in Claiborne, Garrett wasted little time in saying: “Yes, we do.

“Obviously, he had a lot of potential coming out of school with a very productive college career at LSU. But, since he’s been in the NFL, he’s dealt with a lot of different injuries and hasn’t played that much football relative to the time he’s been in this league.

“There’s no question he’s still a young player. He’s growing and developing really every day.”

Claiborne flashes potential seemingly every training camp. The Cowboys are giving him reps as the kickoff returner.

Injuries, though, are always a concern with Claiborne. He started cramping Monday, taking a few snaps off, before returning to the field.

But signs are pointing in the right direction once again for Claiborne. It’s just a matter of extending it throughout a full season.

“Like any player, the more work you do, the better you get,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “This game is about work and it’s coming to practice every day and refining your skills. It sounds monotonous and it sounds boring, but that’s what good players do.”

Claiborne would gladly exchange “good player” for “bust” this season.

“I want to be the best,” Claiborne said. “That’s been my goal since coming into the NFL. I’m not going to let nothing stop that, you know, whether it be injury or whatever it may be, I’m going out to be the best. I’m going to do whatever it takes.”

This story was originally published August 2, 2016 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Cowboys cornerback Claiborne tired of being called a ‘bust’."