NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Cowboys second-year WR Michael Gallup says he feels a lot more comfortable and ready to step into a role as the Cowboys’ No. 2 WR across from Amari Cooper.

“Not like some of those older cats, but I definitely feel way more comfortable,” Gallup said via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “You’ve been in the offense for a little bit now and then you know everybody and how they work and how they move, so it’s easier for you to do what you’re supposed to do. When you can play free and know what you’re supposed to do, you can just go play ball.” 

The Cowboys have discussed with RB Ezekiel Elliott the incident where he was caught on camera pushing a security guard at a music festival. 

“We’ve talked about it,” Cowboys RB coach Gary Brown said via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “He understands, ‘I can’t put myself in those positions. I’ve got to be smarter.’ . . .He already knows that he may have done something that wasn’t right. He’s got to move forward. We all make mistakes.”

Eagles

Eagles DE Brandon Graham said his goal for 2019 is to achieve a “double-digit” sack season. 

“This year, it’s a double-digit (sack) year,” Graham said, via Mike Kaye of NJ Advance Media. “That’s my goal. Go ahead and let them know I’ve still got a lot in the tank.”

Graham added that he would like to finish his three-year, $40 million deal with the Eagles, which he signed earlier this offseason. 

“My goal is to finish out this contract and be a three-time Pro Bowler,” Graham said.

• Les Bowen reports Eagles WR Mack Hollins had groin surgery on one side last year, injured the other side in camp, then had surgery again to repair it. He still hasn’t been cleared for OTA’s.
• Eagles CB Ronald Darby says his goal is to be ready by training camp. (Jimmy Kempski)

Giants

Giants HC Pat Shurmur said QB Daniel Jones “looked good” on a read-option carry and scored a touchdown. 

“Just a normal zone read. He took off running. We have had them in our offense depending on who the quarterback is and his skill set. That is always available to us. He looked good. Looked like he scored,” said Shurmur, via the team’s official site. 

Shurmur went on to compliment Jones’ running ability and pointed out his success on carries in college. 

“Yes, he obviously moves around well. He is down there around the 4.6 mark. I think he had 17 rushing touchdowns. He can move around and that is a huge part. If a quarterback can move around, not so much on just structured runs but the ability to be able to create a play within a passing play, I think he can do that,” said Shurmur. 

Redskins

Redskins WR Josh Doctson says he’s not feeling any pressure heading into a contract year after Washington declined his fifth-year option. 

“There’s been, what, three or four first rounds since me? So that pressure is on them more so than I am, I can just play ball now,” Doctson said via Jake King-Schrelfels of the team’s website. “It’s a good thing and a bad thing I guess, maybe. But it is what it is. That’s the pressure of the world versus the pressure you put on yourself. Once you see what you’re thinking about you can just relax and play ball.” 

• NBC Sports’ J.P. Finlay writes that a league source called OT Trent Williams “severely underpaid” as his $13.2 million yearly average is ninth among all offensive linemen, behind two guards and one right tackle. 
• Finlay adds that the Redskins’ upcoming extension for G Brandon Scherff would also likely put him ahead of Williams, though it could free up cap space to be able to pay Williams more. 
• Redskins HC Jay Gruden said he’s not aware of players having issues with the team’s medical staff. He added Williams’ issue with them might come from the timing of the diagnosis of the tumor on his head. (John Keim)
• Asked if he believes Williams wants to come back to the Redskins, Gruden responded: “I sure hope so.” (Finlay)
• Gruden added: “I just know he’s absent. The medical stuff is out of my hands. The contractual stuff is out of my hands.” (Finlay)
• Gruden said the fixator cast should come off of QB Alex Smith, who was seen walking around outside the facility, in the next month or so. (Finlay)