NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch burst onto the scene as a rookie but had his second season cut short by a neck injury. While he tried to work his way back, Vander Esch ended up needing to have surgery to correct the issue after the season ended. While the shutdown prevented Vander Esch of realizing his goal of returning to the field during the spring, he’s hoping he can come back when training camp begins this summer. 

“I am doing wonderful,” Vander Esch said on “The Boys and Girls” podcast. “I feel as good now as I ever have, before I even got hurt. I mean, I’m ready to roll. I’ve been training full-go for a couple of months now, so it’s not holding me back whatsoever. I feel, like I said, just as good as I ever have. I’m just excited to play football at this point and get back on the field. Whenever they give us the green light to go, we’ll be ready.”

Eagles

• While Eagles OL Matt Pryor currently projects as the top backup on the interior offensive line, Adam Caplan thinks Philadelphia could explore adding a veteran there. 
• Caplan expects first-round WR Jalen Reagor to start opposite of DeSean Jackson for the Eagles this year. 

Giants

• Per SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, the attorney for Giants CB Deandre Baker continues to claim his client is innocent. However, he adds that he thinks this incident could help Baker grow up: “He’s got an opportunity to become the next Ray Lewis and not the next Ray Rice. There’s two guys who went in two different directions. I told DeAndre that. And he seems very focused. He’s scared straight. I can say that.”
• The Athletic’s Dan Duggan writes if the Giants were going to cut OT Nate Solder, they would have likely done so before he earned a $3 million roster bonus in March. As it is, the team likely sees him now as the best option to start at one tackle position and will just hope his play improves. 
• If Giants OC Jason Garrett leaves for a head coaching job next year, Duggan mentions some logical candidates to replace him would be TE coach Freddie Kitchens or QB coach Jerry Schuplinski.
• If the Giants’ current options at center falter, Duggan believes former Seahawks C Justin Britt could be a strong option if he’s able to pass a physical following a knee injury last year.