Dallas Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne Looking To Improve in 2013

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) on the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys traded up in the draft to get LSU quarterback cornerback Morris Claiborne to fix their secondary. And while the Cowboys faithful might have felt good about the rookie’s season, he gave himself a C-minus grade.

Claiborne had 55 total tackles, 43 of which were solo in 2013. He also forced one fumble, recovered 2 fumbles and had one interception. Certainly not dominate stats but a solid rookie campaign.

But Claiborne is his hardest critic.

“I expect a big jump for myself, and play way different than last year,” Claiborne said, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas.

“I felt that I needed to do it to help my game, as well. I felt a little bit last year like I was losing receivers at the top of the break and not being in front of them enough at the line of scrimmage. That was a big emphasis that I wanted to do in the offseason.”

Forcing turnovers has always been a problem, especially with the secondary. But signing Brandon Carr in free agency and drafting Morris Claiborne number 6 overall has the front office feeling good about the direction of the defense. But with both of those players entering their second season with the Cowboys they’ll certainly expect more production.