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FRISCO, Texas -- Morris Claiborne triggered a wild celebration on the Dallas sideline with a game-clinching tackle against San Francisco.Earlier in the fourth quarter of the 24-17 victory last week, the cornerback had his first interception in more than two years.Finally healthy and now driven by the desire to show that the Cowboys did the right thing with a bold move up the draft board in 2012, Claiborne is making the most of what might be a last chance to prove he wasnt a top-10 bust.I felt like I owed it to my teammates, the organization, to go out and put together some good years for them and just go have some good games, Claiborne said. From where they picked me at, it was a lot of high expectations for me. I know I havent reached those high expectations. But Im still on it. Im still going.Two years ago, Claiborne wondered if he should keep going. Burdened by a shoulder injury affecting his performance and the conflicting emotions of his fathers death about the same time as his childs birth, the former LSU star left the team facility one day after learning he had lost his starting job.Claiborne returned that night to talk to coach Jason Garrett, and apologized to his teammates the next day.Five days later after the brief disappearance, Claiborne ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee against New Orleans, ending his season. That was his fifth injury in a span of two seasons, combined with mostly ineffective play before he was benched.Injury after injury. Having surgery after surgery, Claiborne said. You think, `Could this be for me? I just tried to stay as positive as I can at those times even though it was hard, trying to stay positive with what youre going through.The Cowboys chose not to give their former No. 6 overall pick the fifth year on his rookie contract after trading up eight spots to get him. Instead, he got about $8 million less with a one-year, $3 million deal.But Claiborne wanted to come back, and so did the Cowboys because they thought he had a strong 2015 season even though he didnt have an interception.In the minds of most, the biggest difference in the 26-year-old Claiborne is simple: health. He had a full offseason and training camp for the first time. He looked good in camp as well, frequently winning battles with 2014 All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant.Confidence comes through practice and preparation, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. Lack of confidence is when you are not doing enough. You dont feel comfortable. When you go out and get that many reps against Dez, there is a reality to your confidence.Brandon Carr came to the Cowboys as a high-priced free agent the same year Claiborne was drafted, and both have been criticized over a pass defense that hasnt matched the clubs investment.Theyve shared the struggles, as well as the emotions. Carr lost his mom to breast cancer less than two months before Claibornes lowest moment with the Cowboys.And Carr sees one other difference: five years. That will soon be how long Claiborne has been in the NFL.I think just the good part of those five years, I told him we have the opportunity to in so many words, right our wrongs or create our own ending to this story, said Carr, who is in his ninth season. Its just mental is definitely whats been keeping him afloat these last five years.Claiborne knows he has to do more than stay afloat because of where the Cowboys drafted him and what they gave up to get him.While Claiborne has been among the best in the NFL statistically in coverage this season, he still doesnt have more than one interception in a season. He has plenty of time to change that -- and change the synopsis of his career.I want to be the best. Sometimes it takes longer, Claiborne said. When I got to middle school, I wanted to be the best in middle schools. It took steps. High school, same thing. College. And the pros, too. Im not going to stop trying to take those steps no matter what happens.Claiborne believes hes still in Dallas in part because coach Jason Garrett respects players who persevere. And Garrett was asked about Claibornes fourth quarter after the win over the 49ers.Great illustration of what hes all about, Garrett said. Mos overcome a lot throughout his career. Hes playing the best football of his career.And showing the Cowboys he was worth the investment.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuylerTravis Lakins Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Jason Varitek Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. https://www.cheapredsox.com/1801z-bobby-poyner-jersey-red-sox.html .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Mike Shawaryn Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Eduardo Nunez Red Sox Jersey .Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats.Miami and Florida are still set to host football games on Saturday as Hurricane Matthew marched toward Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas late Wednesday.The 10th-ranked?Hurricanes?have not made a decision to cancel or postpone Saturday nights home game against No. 23?Florida State?on ABC.Matthew was a dangerous and life-threatening Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph as it passed through the Bahamas on Wednesday, and it was expected to be very near Floridas Atlantic coast by Thursday evening. It is expected to make its way up the East Coast.?At least 16 deaths in the Caribbean have been blamed on the storm, with heavy damage reported in Haiti.I dont know what well do, to be honest with you, Miami coach Mark Richt said. Just keep everybody safe first. Well do the best we can.Florida State is scheduled to fly in Thursday night for the Miami game, though forecasters say Thursday could be the day when the Miami area absorbs the worst of Matthews wind.Weve looked through every scenario known to man and well figure it out here when it gets there, and well fly down when they tell us to fly down and play when they tell us to play, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said.As of Wednesday afternoon, the game is still on. Miamis athletic director Blake James said in a statement, We are monitoring Hurricane Matthew, and are in constant contact with stadium personnel. We are hopeful that the impact of Hurricane Matthew will be minimal and the game between the Hurricanes and Seminoles will be played as planned.University of Florida officials said Saturdays Southeastern Conference game between the?Gators?and?LSU?will not be moved?from?Gainesville.A final decision on the start time of the game will be made by 1 p.m. on Thursday as we continue to monitor the storm, the school said in a statement Wednesday. The games scheduled start time is noon at?Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.UF officials said they are working closely with local and state officials, as well as the SEC office, to monitor the hurricanes progress and its potential impact on campus and the safety of the fans.South Carolina officials said the?Gamecocks game against?Georgia?this weekend will be played in Columbia, although?they?acknowledged the date and time could change because of impending impact of the hurricane.The school said in a statement the USC vs. UGA game will be played in Columbia.Officials said they are monitoring Matthews track and will most likely make a decision on any changes Thursday. The school said it was communicating with the National Weather Service, the SEC and state and local authorities.Gov. Nikki Haley said the school was told Wednesday the state would not be able to spare personnel to help with a football game. Dozens of state troopers routinely help with traffic at Williams-Brice Stadium, which seats about 80,000.South Carolina senior associate athletic director Charles Bloom told Columbia radio station 107.5 WNKT-FM its possible the game could be played Sunday or Monday if necessary, with safety being the primary concern at this point.Were not going to risk peoples lives, and take emergency people away from people who really needd them, in order to host a football game, Bloom said.ddddddddddddMeanwhile, football games elsewhere in Florida were postponed, other events were canceled and contingency plans were being made. On Wednesday, the UCF Knights?decided to postpone their game against Tulane?until Nov. 5. The contest was scheduled to be played Friday night in Orlando.Taking into account all the latest projections for Hurricane Matthew, we have to keep the safety of everyone involved in these events at the forefront of our decision-making, UCF athletic director Danny White said in a statement. We appreciate our friends at Tulane and Houston understanding and working with us through this situation.Saturdays game between Florida Atlantic and Charlotte in Boca Raton will not be played Saturday and has tentatively been moved to Sunday, pending further assessments.Schools in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have either postponed or canceled some soccer, volleyball and other college contests scheduled for the next few days.Two other college football games -- Albany State at Charleston Southern and Bethune-Cookman at South Carolina State -- have already been postponed.The Miami Heat, who arrived home Tuesday night after a 106-95 victory over the Washington Wizards in their preseason opener, decided to fly to Houston on Wednesday night to resume preseason workouts, according to a team spokesman.The Heat will use the Houston Rockets practice facilities before Saturdays preseason game against the?Minnesota Timberwolves in Kansas City. The Rockets are traveling to China for two preseason games.The?Tampa Bay Lightnings preseason game against the?Florida Panthers, which was scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled at?BB&T Center. The arena, which is outside of Miami, is under hurricane watch. The Panthers are scheduled to fly to West Point, New York, on Friday,?but if winds close airports in the Miami area, those plans would be affected.The Miami Dolphins are scheduled to host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and officials are keeping a close watch. The Dolphins, who already had planned not to practice Thursday, will close their team offices to give players and coaches extra time to prepare for the storm.Were watching the weather with the hurricane thats going on down there, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Tuesday on his radio show. There may be some weather issues. Theres a very slight chance that game could be moved up here. Theres been some discussion because of it.The ACC, which could have at least five Saturday football games directly affected by the storm, said it was monitoring Matthew closely and hoped games would be played as scheduled.Other Saturday ACC games that figure to be affected include Army at Duke, Virginia Tech at North Carolina, Syracuse at Wake Forest?and Notre Dame at NC State.Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said pushing his teams game back to Sunday was possible if events warranted.Everything is on the table right now, Kelly said.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '