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How Morris Claiborne Is Transitioning to Jets

Veteran Corner Likes the Environment, Excited to Play More Press Coverage

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Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne has impressed during his first training camp wearing green and white.

"It's been easy. At the end of the day I feel like football is football," Claiborne said. "There's different terminology as far as the playbook and stuff like that as well as teammates. Guys around here are easy to gel with and the coaches are doing a good job making sure I'm on top of the playbook. They're making it simple and making it easy to go out and play."

One of the coaches the 5'11", 192-pounder was referring to is new DB coach Dennard Wilson.

"He's done a lot from individual drills, being on top of the little things like press coverage," Claiborne said. "We work a lot of press coverage, so I'm taking what he gives me in individuals and bring(ing) it on the field. It feels natural. We're getting that actual work that we need to take it to the field."

The Jets signed the 2012 No. 6 overall pick in March and both head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan said the LSU product fit in their defensive system as a press corner. However, Claiborne didn't have a lot of opportunities last season to line up directly across from wide receivers.

"I kind of like playing from the line of scrimmage," he said. "In Dallas we did a little bit of man-to-man, but last year was more zone. It feels good to be at the line of scrimmage pretty much every snap."

Claiborne registered two picks in Saturday's first training camp practice, one in individual drills and one in team drills. The Louisiana native is one of the top corners in the league when healthy, but he has battled injuries throughout his career.

"I've learned a great deal from all of it," he said. "If I could go back and do it all over, I'll take it just the way it is now. I feel like I'm in a good opportunity and in a good space to take advantage of where I'm at. The goal and plan each and every year is to stay healthy on the football for 16 games and give people the corner the Jets are taking on a chance on."

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