NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

• Per Calvin Watkins, former Cowboys DL Josh Brent tested clean for drugs and alcohol after an incident where he was arrested a few weeks ago. Brent had a mental health breakdown and is receiving treatment. 

Eagles

So far, money hasn’t changed Eagles QB Carson Wentz. After signing a massive extension this offseason, Wentz has continued grinding just as hard in his rehab and preparation for the 2019 season, according to teammate and OT Lane Johnson.

“I love it, every day when I go in the building, all I see is him in there before everybody else, rehabbing, doing whatever it takes.” Johnson said via NFL Media’s Kevin Patra. “I just think he’s really on a different mental state than he’s ever been as far as training and ignoring distractions and really trying to be the best player he is. So, I just see that worker and a guy who is about to do some big things this season.”

• Free-agent DE Connor Barwin has had talks about joining the Eagles as a backup veteran pass rusher in the same role Chris Long had: “I want to keep playing & what would be best for me is probably staying here. The Eagles roster is awesome & should have a chance at the Super Bowl & it would be a great spot for me. Could trust me in that Chris Long type of role as a backup edge rusher.” (975TheFanatic)

Giants

Giants rookie OL Austin Droogsma hadn’t played football since high school and was a year removed from competing in the shot-putt on Florida State’s track team. Still, the Giants liked him enough to offer him a tryout at their rookie camp. They liked him enough after that to offer him a contract to compete in training camp. 

“I thought I did a lot of things right. I thought I did a lot of things wrong,” Droogsma said via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “I obviously showed them enough to give me a call back and give me a longer look. It was really surreal to get out there. You kind of have that nagging feeling in the back of your head, ‘Do I belong here?’ It’s like let’s show ’em I belong here. That is my mentality day in and day out. Prove that I belong here.”