NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Cowboys LB Sean Lee earned a $1 million incentive by playing in 59.1 percent of Dallas’ defensive snaps.  
• Cowboys S Jeff Heath also earned $250,000 by playing more than 65% of the snaps.
• Dallas has roughly $19.5 million in cap room to roll over to 2020, per the NFLPA.

Eagles

• According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Eagles second-round rookie RB Miles Sanders hopes to practice Friday with the goal of playing in Sunday’s wildcard game against the Seahawks.
• Sanders has a lower-ankle sprain and has been managing the inflammation. 

Giants

• Per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Giants GM Dave Gettleman said assistant GM Kevin Abrams would also have input in the hiring process for New York’s next head coach. 
• Gettleman noted that while it wasn’t the “be-all, end-all,” he does value prior head coaching experience in a candidate. (Ralph Vacchiano)
• The Giants didn’t get a chance to pursue Redskins HC Ron Rivera, who worked with Gettleman in Carolina: “Before we could turn around, it was done.” (Dunleavy)
• Gettleman mentioned the decision for the Giants to fire HC Pat Shurmur “came from above,” implying ownership went against his wishes. (Vacchiano)
• Gettleman placed pass rush help near the top of the Giants’ offseason shopping list: “Everybody east of the Pacific Ocean is going to tell you we need a pass rusher. I don’t disagree.” (Vacchiano)
• He also admitted he made a mistake by not fully embracing a rebuild and trying to make moves to allow the Giants to compete the past two seasons: “I thought we could do both at the same time and I was wrong.” (Art Stapleton)
• Gettleman acknowledged that he “of course” thought his job was in jeopardy toward the end of 2019. (Vacchiano)

Redskins

• Per Pro Football Talk, Redskins owner Dan Snyder cited the need to revamp Washington’s organizational culture as the biggest reason he targets Ron Rivera to be the team’s next head coach: “What the Redskins have needed is a culture change, someone that can bring a winning culture to our organization, and it starts and ends with our head coach.”
• Snyder added Rivera would have the final say in all football matters as opposed to a general manager: “We’re going to have one voice, and only one voice alone, and that’s the coach’s.” 
• Rivera said Snyder’s pitch of an organizational model centered around the head coach like in Seattle and New England convinced him to take the Washington job. (Les Carpenter)
• Rivera believes first-round rookie QB Dwayne Haskins has what it takes to be the franchise player for the Redskins but it will take time. (JP Finlay)
• Getting Redskins LT Trent Williams back in the fold and in good graces with the team is one of Rivera’s priorities this offseason: “I have an idea of how I want to sit down and visit with him.” (Finlay)
• Redskins’ new DC Jack Del Rio confirmed to reporters on Wednesday he intends on converting the defense to a 4-3 system instead of the 3-4 they ran in 2019. (Carpenter)
• Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan says he’s comfortable switching to a 4-3 defensive end despite playing much of his career as a 3-4 outside linebacker: “I’m comfortable in it. I did it my whole life until I got here. A lot of guys have success in that.” (John Keim)
• Kerrigan has one year left on his deal but adds he wants to stay in Washington. He’s open to gaining the 10-15 pounds he’ll need to transition schemes. (Keim)
• Washington interviewed Panthers head trainer Ryan Vermillion for their opening at the position. (Jason La Canfora)