NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Regarding Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper‘s contract extensions, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes they made “positive” progress on their deals this week. 

“I always think that there is movement one way or the other even though there isn’t a technical movement. I think we moved that needle in a positive direction this week,” said Jones, via Jon Machota of The Athletic.

As for the Cowboys’ interest in acquiring Jets LB Jamal Adams at the trade deadline, Jones said the team felt it was important to keep their 2020 draft picks.

“The coverage of it has been pretty accurate…We obviously were trying to utilize our (draft picks) to help the Cowboys better than we could’ve used the same picks in the draft,” said Jones, via Machota.

Cowboys WR Amari Cooper said there has not been “much discussion” about an extension and he prefers to wait until after the season to start negotiations.

“I’d prefer to wait until after the season,” said Cooper, via Calvin Watkins. 

• According to Jones, the two biggest positions the Cowboys looked into at the trade deadline were safety and defensive line. (Machota)
• Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said of their recent decision to rework DE Michael Bennett’s contract: “We got some things that we think really helped us out. Michael was willing to do that. In turn, we gave him the ability to be a free agent after this year. Felt like that was the fair thing to do.” (Jon Machota)

Eagles

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson said he plans to play in Sunday’s game for the first time since sustaining an abdomen injury that has kept him out since Week 1. 

“That’s the plan right now. It’s definitely been a long process, so we’ll see how it goes,” said Jackson, via Tim McManus. 

Jackson said he’s unsure whether his abdomen injury is at risk of aggravation.

“It’s just a thing I’m dealing with right now. Not too many answers for it. It’s an uncommon injury, so we’ll see how it goes and I’m trying to do everything I can to take care of it and get right. We’ll see how it plays on Sunday.” 

• Eagles HC Doug Pederson said DT Tim Jernigan (foot) and RB Darren Sproles (quad) are “on track” to play in Week 9 but have yet to be medically cleared. (Jeff McLane)
• Although Pederson said he’s optimistic that Eagles WR DeSean Jackson (abdomen) will play for the first time since Week 1, he would not commit to his availability. (Eliot Shorr-Parks)

Giants

Giants’ recently acquired DL Leonard Williams said he does not take being traded by the Jets personally.

“It’s not like it’s a personal thing,’’ Williams said, via Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “The sooner you can realize that it’s a business, the less heartache you will have. If you can just detach your emotions from the situation it will be OK. But I know [Jamal Adams] is a real passionate person and I’m sure he cares about the Jets and wants to be there. So, I’m sure he probably was offended.”

Williams admitted that being traded by the Jets did “hurt a little” since they were the team who drafted him. 

“It was still surprising. It still kind of hurt a little bit just because they drafted me. No matter who it is, I’m going to want to finish there. In high school, I played for one team and didn’t transfer, in college I stayed with one team and I try to dedicate it all to my one team. And now that I’m here I’m going to try to do the same thing.’’

Giants GM Dave Gettleman believes Williams bolsters their defensive tackle rotation alongside B.J. Hill, Dexter Lawrence, and Dalvin Tomlinson. 

“It gives us a really strong inside defensive tackle rotation,” Gettleman said, via Michael Elsen of the team’s official site. “We’re very happy with the progress that B.J. Hill is making. We’re happy with Dexter Lawrence and Dalvin Tomlinson. We’re very happy with our defensive tackle group, but you’re always looking to get better. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Defensive tackles line up closer to the quarterback than defensive ends.”

Gettleman views Williams as a “legitimate pass rusher” and pointed out that he has yet to miss a game. 

“Leonard is a legitimate pass rusher,” Gettleman said. “He’s been to the Pro Bowl (in 2016). He’s the old man of the group at 25, which is really pretty funny. He’s never missed a game. He’s a great human being. He’s a great teammate.”

• Giants WR Sterling Shepard and CB Corey Ballentine have cleared the league’s concussion protocol in time for Week 9. (Pat Leonard)