Rod Marinelli on Brandon Carr's play: 'He's been solid it seems'

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr is one of the highest paid players at his position in the NFL. He signed a five-year $50.1 million deal with the Cowboys, the going-rate for that position, in 2012.

Carr has struggled this season. With four games remaining, Carr has no interceptions, just five pass breakups and according to STATS Inc., been burned a team-leading 34 times while allowing four touchdowns.

But Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was either being polite or honest when asked about Carr's play this season.

"He's been solid it seems, like," Marinelli said. "Once and while we have given up a few as all of us. And sometimes it's the rush, sometimes the guys hold the ball too long but overall for all us we just got to get better."

Marinelli isn't one to overly criticize one of the defensive players, likewise for coach Jason Garrett, who says everybody on the team can get better. But the secondary has shown a level on inconsistency in 2014.

Carr becomes the focal point because of his stature financially and he's a starter. Before Carr signed with the Cowboys, he had eight interceptions in four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He had a career-high 25 pass breakups in 2010. In three seasons with the Cowboys he's got six. Carr isn't noted for his interceptions, but for making plays on the ball.

At the rate he's going, he might not reach double-digits in pass breakups, marking the first time that's happened since his rookie year in 2008.

You just can't blame Carr for all that's gone wrong in the secondary, mistakes by the safeties, a lack of pass rush and just giving credit to the opponent are reasons for some of his struggles.

Still, more is expected of Carr.

"Oh yeah, but the rush helps," Marinelli said. "Rush and cover, it’s all 11, it’s everybody and it’s coaches, too. So it’s all of us. We just got to keep pushing the details like we are and it’ll be fine."