One of the worse things that could happen to a team during training
camp happened to the Dallas Cowboys Tuesday. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick tore
both his ACL and MCL and will be out for the rest of the season.
Scandrick went to defend rookie receiver Lucky Whitehead on
a pass and fell on top of Whitehead after he caught the ball. That is when
Scandrick’s knee banged into Whitehead’s body and then it buckled up, causing
the injury. Scandrick immediately knew he tore his ACL.
“He said immediately, ‘It’s my ACL. I Know it. It’s gone,’” secondary
coach Jerome Henderson said.
The eight-year veteran will soon have surgery and is already
vowing to return better than ever. The problem is that he won’t help the
Cowboys win a title this year, something Scandrick was going to be a big part
of. Last season, Scandrick was the Cowboys’ best corner last year, especially
coming in at the slot position. He had 55 tackles, nine pass deflections, two
interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a sack.
For most fans and media members,
it seemed doom and gloom about the upcoming season without Scandrick. Even
former Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin was worried about how the injury would
affect the 2015 campaign.
“@Luney708: @michaelirvin88 how big is the scandrick injury 4 our boyz playmaker???”improved pass rush has 2 go with good corner play. Big😒
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) August 26, 2015
“@Luney708: @michaelirvin88 how big is the scandrick injury for our boyz playmaker???”someone else will have to step up BIG TIME
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) August 26, 2015
“@AngelPuerto2: @michaelirvin88 If you had to pick now, who do you see stepping up? Mo, White or Patmon?”I hope a big yr for Mo. WE NEED IT!
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) August 26, 2015
With all due respect to Mr. Irvin and all the other doom and
gloom voices, the Cowboys will be just fine. Yes, it sucks to lose Scandrick
for the season; you never want that for one of your best players. But, this
season the team is finally very deep at the corner position.
First off, Brandon Carr is still leading the way and could
be poised to have a comeback year. Last year was tough on him because of the
passing of his mother, but he resurfaced and made big-time plays down the stretch.
Carr can help the void by keeping one side of the field in check.
Another player to help step up is draft bust Morris
Claiborne. Remember when he was selected sixth overall in the 2012 draft? So
far all the hype has faded and we are left with a injury-prone player and
constant burn victim. Now in his final year of his contract, he has an opportunity
to stand up and make something of his career. Finally healthy for the first
time in awhile, Claiborne has made some very nice plays in camp and the coaches
are impressed. If he can translate that onto the field, he would be a serviceable
replacement for Orlando.
What about this year’s first-round draft pick Byron Jones?
Though looked at as a possible hybrid between corner and safety, he could be
called upon to play a lot more now at corner. You also have Tyler Patmon and
Corey White who have both shown intensity through training camp and are both
capable of stepping in and playing. The reviews by the coaches have been superb
on all three of them so far.
Yes, the injury sucks for this team and we all wish it wouldn’t
have happened. But, there is depth that this team can use to survive and move
on. The defense is still very talented.
So I hope you recover well Orlando. No worries, your fellow
DBs have your back this season.
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