Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne, the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft, remains unsigned, but that won’t stop him from showing up when training camp opens.
“I’ll patiently wait,” Claiborne said Friday, according to the Shreveport Times. “I’m not in no hurry. You hear a lot of talk about people saying I’m holding out. No, I’m not holding out. I’m going to camp signed or not signed. It don’t matter.”
Claiborne is one of eight players whose rookie deals at the top of the draft are being delayed at least in part by the question of whether, if cut within the next four years, they’ll get to pocket the entire value of their contracts, undiminished by what they may earn elsewhere.
Though admirable, Claiborne’s comments give the Cowboys extra leverage. If they merely refuse to give in, Claiborne eventually will sign.
And when he signs, he’ll be ready to go, fully recovered from wrist surgery that caused him to miss the offseason program.
“I can’t wait. It’s been a while because of my wrist, so far so good. It’s getting healthy and I’m ready for camp to start,” Claiborne said.
The Cowboys likely can’t wait, either, because they now know that’s the point at which Claiborne will crack.