NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

• David Helman of DallasCowboys.com believes that Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith is better suited for a position “moving toward the line of scrimmage” while LB Leighton Vander Esch‘s coverage ability should make him a better option at weakside linebacker.
• Of the former Cowboys’ players to depart this offseason, Bryan Broaddus thinks TE Jason Witten‘s retirement will be the most impactful since he was a big target on third downs and in the red zone.
• Helman notes that the current Cowboys’ receivers have yet to prove they can successfully replace Dez Bryant.

Eagles

Eagles RBs coach Duce Staley interviewed for two offensive coordinator positions this offseason, but he says he’s not worried about becoming a coordinator right now.

“I’m not worried about being a coordinator. I’m worried about being able to be out there and coach for another Super Bowl,” Staley said, via Philly.com. “That’s where I’m at right now. Everything else will handle itself.”

Although, Staley admitted that there’s no telling how things will play out in the coming years.

“Crazy league. Crazy situations. You talk about being at the right place at the right time,” Staley said. “Sometimes things are slotted, and they may not be slotted for you. Sometimes something may just pop up on you.”

Giants

Giants new DC James Bettcher mentioned that they’re counting on Olivier Vernon to be an impact pass rusher for them as they implement a new defensive scheme this year.

“We know he is a dynamic guy,” Bettcher said this spring, via Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. “He’s a guy that can rush from different angles, a guy that you can move around and put in different matchups, and he’s embraced everything that we’ve done to this point. I’ve loved working with him, and I think he’s making some great progress, not just in this scheme, but I think as I’ve looked at him as a player, he’s sharpening his tools right now.”