NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay said Dallas gravitated toward fourth-round RB Tony Pollard not just of his ability in space as a part-time wide receiver in college, but also because Dallas believed he could be a three-down player eventually. So far in camp, Pollard has been ahead of the pace. 

“We saw him as a space player that could probably carry the ball on all three downs, but then for him to come in and pick up protections and do all the things that he’s done — it’s a very difficult deal for a running back to come in the NFL and understand protections and understand coverages and understand defenses, why they do things,” McClay said via the Athletic’s Jon Machota. “And he’s got a unique way of doing that. He can take it from the board, when you’re drawing it up, to the field. He’s just unique in that way. So it’s been really surprising just to see how quickly he’s up to speed on things.”

• Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is apparently in shape despite being away from the team, weighing in the low 220-pound range which is the lowest he’s been since his rookie year. (Adam Schefter)

Eagles

Eagles DT Fletcher Cox did not confirm if he would be ready to play by Week 1 or not. The veteran did say, though, he only needs a week of practice to be ready to play and that his recovery from a foot injury suffered during the playoffs last season is going according to the plan laid out by the Eagles’ training staff. 

“I’m in a good position,” Cox said via NBC Sports’ Reuben Frank. “Following the plan, man. We came up with a plan months ago to get me where I need to be and right now everything is playing out good. No setbacks. I’m feeling pretty good.”

Mike Kaye of NJ.com posted an updated 53-man roster project for the Eagles. 

• Some of the notable roster cuts on the offensive side of the ball include QB Clayton Thorson, RB Boston Scott, RB Josh Adams, RB Donnel Pumphrey, RB Wendell Smallwood, WR Braxton Miller, and TE Will Tye.
• On the defense, Kaye projects DE Eli Harold, LB Paul Worrilow, LB T.J. Edwards, CB Josh Hawkins and S Tre Sullivan to be on the outside looking in among others. 

Giants

Giants RB Saquon Barkley says Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best players in the NFL regardless of being a running back and deserves to be paid. However, he says his support isn’t motivated by the fact he could be in a similar situation as Elliott in a few years. 

“No, I don’t time for that,” Barkley said via Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News. “I’m just supporting him. I don’t have time to focus on that. I gotta get to that point. Zeke did what he had to do to get into a position where he can say he wants more money. I only did it one year. I mean don’t get me wrong, it was a heck of a year individually, but I only did one year. And I’m still trying to prove to my teammates that I can lead, that I can help bring this team to (be) a playoff contender, help bring this team to (be) a championship contender, that’s what I’m focusing on.”

• Giants TE Scott Simonson‘s one-year contract is worth a total of $895,000, including a $805,000 base salary, $65,000 signing bonus and a $25,000 workout bonus. (Dan Duggan)
• Duggan notes that Simonson, who was temporarily released, dropped his cap charge for the 2019 season from $895,000 to $735,000.

Redskins

• NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal says the Redskins could be a candidate to trade for Texans LB Jadeveon Clowney by offering Houston OT Trent Williams. 
• Williams would provide fair compensation for Clowney while filling a massive need for the Texans, while Clowney would take an already strong Redskins pass rush over the top while being a potential long-term building block.