NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins

Cowboys

Cowboys DE Robert Quinn had the option to choose his destination when he was traded from the Dolphins. He chose the Cowboys over the Saints. 

“It was more of a gut feeling,” Quinn said via USA Today’s Jori Epstein. “Sometimes your gut leads you in the right direction. … So far, it’s been a great transition for me.”

Quinn added that the Cowboys’ style of defense was one of the factors that made a difference for him in choosing Dallas over New Orleans. 

“Specifically, it was the way they allowed the D-line to play high-flying,” Quinn said. “We get to attack and get in the backfield more than in other places. I think it was kind of one of those where we could have fun and disrupt the backfield which they want us to do. Have you seen the Cowboys play? If you watch it, they’re always in the backfield.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says it’s worth paying attention to how much praise second-round DT Trysten Hill is receiving from the Cowboys given how well the team has drafted recently. 

Eagles

With the addition of DT Malik Jackson, Eagles DE Brandon Graham thinks the Eagles have the talent to be extraordinarily effective on the defensive line. 

“I think we have a chance to do something special, but we also know that we’ve got a lot of work to do and that it’s a long, long season,” Graham said via Dave Spadaro of the team’s website. “I’ve seen what we did in the offseason. Bringing in a guy like Malik sets the tone for the entire defensive line. The way he works and how he plays, that right there is a good example for all of us.”

Redskins

Redskins executive Doug Williams said first-round QB Dwayne Haskins has “taken command of the opportunity he’s had” during the team’s OTAs and minicamp. 

“It’s been a great offseason, number one; to have Dwayne in camp and to be on the sidelines during OTAs and minicamp. To see the young guy do what he’s done and how he’s taken command of the opportunity he’s had,” said Williams, via Steve Wyche.

Williams added that Haskins could wind up starting, but it will be up to Redskins HC Jay Gruden, executive Bruce Allen, owner Dan Synder, and himself at the end of the preseason. 

“I know there’s words out there that he might start and that could happen, but at the end of the day, that’s going to be on Jay [Gruden], myself, and probably Bruce [Allen] and the owner [Dan Snyder] after what he does during preseason and see where we are as a team to make that decision. I don’t want to say he’s going to start Game 1 today, but it’s been a pleasant and enjoyable scene to see what Dwayne Haskins has done over the last few weeks.”