NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Usually when there’s a change at head coach, it’s followed by a wave of assistant coach departures. For the Cowboys, however, the hope was that they could retain OC Kellen Moore despite replacing Jason Garrett with new HC Mike McCarthy. Moore is seen as a rising star in the coaching profession and instead of leaving to call plays somewhere else, he’ll stay and call plays for McCarthy, though Moore said that wasn’t a sticking point when he interviewed for the job. 

“We really didn’t even get down that road. We just talked through everything. It became a great opportunity and I really thought Mike and I would work really well together however it turned out,” Moore said via the Athletic’s Jon Machota. “It’s certainly very appreciated. Certainly at the end of the day, I know this thing will be collaborative and we’ll work through it together, and we’ll find the best situation and best outcome out of it.”

• New Cowboys DL coach Jim Tomsula says they won’t commit to either a 3-4 or 4-3 base defense and will instead work to the strengths of the players: “It will fit around players. That’s what I know about Coach Nolan. This isn’t a one-way street, it’s a two-way street. The guys with the helmets win games.” (Machota)
• New Cowboys assistant HC Rob Davis says he’ll be a “utility coach” and help with all areas, including player development. (Calvin Watkins)
• Cowboys DB coach Maurice Linguist will work with safeties and the team’s nickel package, while Al Harris will coach cornerbacks. (Watkins)

Eagles

• Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice mentions Cowboys CB Byron Jones, Buccaneers WR Breshad Perriman and Bears LB Nick Kwiatkoski as potential free-agent targets for the Eagles. 
• Despite having just 3.5 sacks in 2019, Eagles DT Fletcher Cox doesn’t believe he’s slowed down and is eager for 2020 when he won’t have to spend the offseason rehabbing from an injury: “That playoff game shows it to you. There’s no ceiling. I’ve got to build on what I’ve been doing for the last eight years.” (Zach Berman)

Giants

• According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the Giants are hiring former Browns assistant coach Jody Wright as a defensive assistant. 
• New York is also hiring former Missouri OC and QB coach Derek Dooley in an unspecified offensive assistant role. (Art Stapleton)
• The Patriots denied the Giants’ request to interview assistant QB coach Mick Lombardi. (Dan Duggan)
• New York also interviewed former DT and Alabama assistant strength coach Kindal Moorehead for a position on staff.