Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said recently that the Cowboys have to get cornerback Morris Claiborne healthy and stronger so that they start realizing more of a return on the price they paid to move up and get Claiborne in the first round of the 2012 draft.
Claiborne has dealt with a variety of injuries since coming to Dallas and missed six games last season while getting dropped behind Orlando Scandrick on the depth chart. He’s had surgeries on his shoulder and finger since the offseason got underway, but says that they will not keep him from participating in the team’s offseason work. He also said that he feels like he’s making good on Garrett’s desire to see him get stronger.
“I’m feeling great,” Claiborne said in an interview with Gina Miller, via the Dallas Morning News. “I feel like my mind is getting stronger as well as my body. Just rehabbing every day and trying to get stronger. I’ll be ready for when we start up our workouts and on to OTAs and minicamp.”
Claiborne also told Miller that he’s tired of hearing questions about his failure to live up to the expectations created when the Cowboys dealt their own first-round pick and a second-round selection to go up and get him two years ago. Claiborne is only going to be able to put a stop to them by producing on the field, something that would be made much easier if he can avoid being a constant presence in the trainer’s room.