Cowboys: This Man’s Swagger Upgrades the Unit

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t do much this offseason to upgrade their secondary. But the return of this player may provide a boost to the entire unit.

Orlando Scandrick, affectionately known as “Scandy”, has been a mainstay on this Cowboys defense for nearly a decade. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Scandrick was hardly a sure thing. The thinly-built cornerback from Boise State was a scrapper. He was quick, he was fast, but most of all, he was tenacious.

Since joining the Cowboys, Orlando Scandrick has played with a chip on his shoulder. He’s played angry. And playing angry is what has allowed him to survive on the Cowboys roster all of these years.

Year after year, the Cowboys seemed determined to upgrade and replace Scandrick. Year after year Scandrick ended up on top. Orlando Scandrick brings an attitude – a swagger – that was desperately missing from the secondary last season.

Just reinserting a player like Scandrick into the lineup will instill confidence in an otherwise confidence-starved unit.

How He’ll Help Morris Claiborne

The missed practices have wreaked havoc on Morris Claiborne’s confidence. And confidence is key at the cornerback position. Good NFL CBs are confident beyond all measure. Even when legitimately bested, the best NFL CBs have a knack at looking past it and remaining convinced that they will win the matchup next time.

What’s preventing Morris Claiborne from developing into a good NFL CB is 100% between the ears. No, this isn’t yet another dig on his impossibly low Wonderlic score. This is all about confidence and resiliency — Two things Mo lost in his transition to the NFL.

How He’ll Help Brandon Carr

It goes without saying (but I will anyway), Brandon Carr has been a disappointment since joining the Cowboys nearly five years ago. Paid like one of the best and performing like one of the worst has a way of turning a fan base against you, ya know?

It’s almost impossible to ignore the streaky play of Brandon Carr over the years. Brandon Carr has strung together a few very good performances but when the inevitable mishap occurs, Carr struggles to regain his composure. He begins playing with hesitancy and eventually falls apart. Like Claiborne, he has a problem bouncing back.

With Scandrick taking over the starting LCB position and Carr bumping over to RCB, Brandon Carr should be more comfortable. If a little of Scandy’s swagger rubs off as well, Carr could actually be good.