Morris Claiborne can see intensity of Cowboys veterans rising for season opener

Rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne is still quite early on his first tour through the NFL, but he can sense the preparation of the veterans has become more intense as the season opener looms.

“Oh, yeah. I mean, I can tell how bad these guys want this game,” he said Saturday at Valley Ranch. “It’s just more and more intense. Guys know this is it. This is game week right here. It’s more intense, and everything is faster.”

Claiborne is working on preparing himself, too, for the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday. He is going to start and get action against the likes of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

“I know they’re coming in,” he said. “It’s just up to me to prepare myself the way I’ve been preparing to be ready for that.”

So, is he going to have any butterflies?

“I know I am,” Claiborne said. “But it’s up to me to control that and just go play football. Have fun and go play.”

-- Carlos Mendez

Twitter @calexmendez