IRVING, Texas – Morris Claiborne understands the nature of the questions. But, he's not exactly excited about answering them.
The second-year cornerback knows his play has to improve and vows to change things, even if the best quarterback and offense are coming to town on Sunday.
"I've got to play better … I know that," Claiborne said. "This is a big game for us and a big challenge. We have to be on point."
Claiborne admitted some struggles this season, particularly last week against the Chargers. However, he laughed off the notion of confidence being an issue.
"I don't know why everyone keeps saying that," Claiborne said. "It's just one of those things. Guys catch balls in the NFL every day. It's how you take it. We just have to bounce back and keep playing. Cornerbacks have to be confident. If you lose that, it's not good."
When asked if he is comfortable in this defensive scheme, the 2012 first-round pick said he has no issues and said the Cowboys have been balanced in the amount of zone and man coverage being played. [embedded_ad]
Claiborne has been dealing with a shoulder issue all season. And while he continues to receiver pain-reducing injections before games, the cornerback said the injury is improving.
"I'm not thinking about it. It's not much of an issue," Claiborne said. "It's one of those things. If I hit it, it'll hurt for a while. It's not a circumstance of it coming out and coming back in."
Claiborne is technically still behind Orlando Scandrick on the depth chart, but he plays on the outside during nickel packages. And against Peyton Manning and the Broncos, Claiborne expects to be on the field most of the game, considering Denver plays in a three-wide set the majority of the time. And, Claiborne also says Manning will likely come his way early and often.
"Denver is going to target everybody," he said. "If you go read Peyton Manning's stats, he gets the ball in everyone's hands. He's pretty balanced. We all have to be on our game. I feel like we're going to do that. It's a big challenge. Every Sunday is a big challenge. You have the No. 1 team coming in. You know they're going to throw it around, so the ball is going to be out. It's a big game for our secondary."
IRVING, Texas – Morris Claiborne understands the nature of the questions. But, he's not exactly excited about answering them.
The second-year cornerback knows his play has to improve and vows to change things, even if the best quarterback and offense are coming to town on Sunday.
"I've got to play better … I know that," Claiborne said. "This is a big game for us and a big challenge. We have to be on point."
Claiborne admitted some struggles this season, particularly last week against the Chargers. However, he laughed off the notion of confidence being an issue.
"I don't know why everyone keeps saying that," Claiborne said. "It's just one of those things. Guys catch balls in the NFL every day. It's how you take it. We just have to bounce back and keep playing. Cornerbacks have to be confident. If you lose that, it's not good."
When asked if he is comfortable in this defensive scheme, the 2012 first-round pick said he has no issues and said the Cowboys have been balanced in the amount of zone and man coverage being played. [embedded_ad]
Claiborne has been dealing with a shoulder issue all season. And while he continues to receiver pain-reducing injections before games, the cornerback said the injury is improving.
"I'm not thinking about it. It's not much of an issue," Claiborne said. "It's one of those things. If I hit it, it'll hurt for a while. It's not a circumstance of it coming out and coming back in."
Claiborne is technically still behind Orlando Scandrick on the depth chart, but he plays on the outside during nickel packages. And against Peyton Manning and the Broncos, Claiborne expects to be on the field most of the game, considering Denver plays in a three-wide set the majority of the time. And, Claiborne also says Manning will likely come his way early and often.
"Denver is going to target everybody," he said. "If you go read Peyton Manning's stats, he gets the ball in everyone's hands. He's pretty balanced. We all have to be on our game. I feel like we're going to do that. It's a big challenge. Every Sunday is a big challenge. You have the No. 1 team coming in. You know they're going to throw it around, so the ball is going to be out. It's a big game for our secondary."
