NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones it’s not worth reading into when asked why they don’t have a long-term deal in place with DE Demarcus Lawrence: “The fact we don’t have something done today is not inordinate when you look at the things that are at stake here.” (David Moore)
• Regarding Lawrence delaying surgery until a deal is done, Jones said: “It’s just a given that you’d get the full year at top, physical condition. If you don’t get that it depreciates what you’re doing.” (David Moore)
• According to Clarence Hill, the Cowboys have increased their offer to Lawrence, but not enough to get a long-term deal in place. Hill adds that the two parties remain “far apart” in negotiations.
• Jones said they never dismissed the possibility of signing S Earl Thomas, but the Ravens’ offer put an end to it: “The area he was signed in was one we didn’t think worked w/ how we’re making up our team from a cap standpoint.” (David Moore)

Eagles

Eagles executive Howie Roseman mentioned that they would like to get a long-term extension in place with QB Carson Wentz. 

“It goes without saying that we have a quarterback we’re committed to, that we want to sign to an extension,” Roseman said, per Zach Berman.

• Wentz is continuing his rehab without a timetable, though the Eagles are “optimistic” he’ll be ready for OTA’s.  (Zack Rosenblatt)
• DE Vinny Curry‘s deal includes a base salary of $1 million and a $1 million roster bonus, both fully guaranteed.  Curry also has weekly active roster bonuses of $15,625 and counts $2.1875 million against the cap.  (Reuben Frank)
• Eagles HC Doug Pederson says he’d love to have RB Darren Sproles back, but it’s up to Sproles to decide if he wants to keep playing.  (Jeff McLane)
• Veteran DE Chris Long has not given an indication on if he’ll return in 2019, according to Pederson.  (Zangaro)

Giants

• Giants HC Pat Shurmur said of the Odell Beckham trade on NFL Network: “Nothing went wrong with Odell. We were looking forward to working with Odell, but I feel like we got good value in return. Trades can be good for both teams. We got good value, they got a great player and we move forward.” (Matt Lombardo)
• Shurmur disputed the idea that Beckham was too much to handle: “That seems to be the narrative. That’s not the case. The notion that we were tired of Odell, that’s not right.”  (Vacchiano)
• Shurmur said he would like to find a successor for QB Eli Manning “sooner than later,” adding it would be ideal if that player could spend a year behind Manning learning.  (Vacchiano)
• Shurmur reiterated that they believe in Manning, saying: “If we add a new QB, it’s not Eli’s job to train him.”  (Kimberley Martin)
• According to Shurmur, the team has been thorough with this year’s class of quarterbacks: “We’ve done a heck of a lot of work on all the quarterbacks we could potentially draft.” (Vacchiano)
• Shurmur believes WRs Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard can play inside or outside in his offense.  (Vacchiano)
• New S Jabrill Peppers will also return punts for the Giants.  (Ryan Dunleavy)
• Shurmer said Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins is mobile enough to work in his system, calling him an “outstanding thrower.”  (Pat Leonard)
• If the Giants are winning, Shurmur says Manning will remain the starter.  (Leonard)

Redskins

• Redskins HC Jay Gruden said the team’s plan is to move OL Ereck Flowers from tackle to guard.  (J.P. Finlay)
• Redskins QB Colt McCoy‘s procedure shouldn’t keep him out of OTA’s, per Gruden.  (Finlay)
• Gruden added QB Josh Johnson, who is currently a free agent, is recovering from a surgical procedure.  (Finlay)
• Gruden said the team would like to be able to take a quarterback at No. 15, but only if the right one is available: “You got to hit on those first rounders. You can’t reach.”  (Finlay)
• Regarding this year’s class of quarterbacks, Gruden said, “It’s an interesting group.”  (Finlay)
• Gruden mentioned that they’ve “high hopes” for DL Caleb Brantley. (Finlay)
• According to Gruden, he was “for sure” involved in signing S Landon Collins, who was the top free agent on their list.  (Finlay)
• Gruden said he’s never been a fan of keeping three quarterbacks on the roster.  (Finlay)
• The Redskins have high expectations for DE Ryan Anderson next year.  (Finlay)
• Washington wants more from CB Josh Norman, as Gruden says he wants “superstar” play.  (Finlay)
• Gruden says QB Alex Smith is “all in” on his recovery and the doors are open for him when he’s ready to come back. (Finlay)
• McCoy and QB Case Keenum will compete for the starting job, per Gruden.  (Finlay)
• While RB Derrius Guice will do some individual work in OTAs, the plan is for him to return fully in training camp.  (Finlay)
• Gruden mentioned the Redskins scouted QB Josh Rosen last year and liked what they saw, but added there’s nothing to talk about because he’s not available.  (Finlay)