NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• According to Jon Machota with the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys are unlikely to pursue free agent DT Gerald McCoy, given that the team drafted DT Trysten Hill in the second round and anticipate him being the starter sooner rather than later. 
• McCoy would also presumably want more than a one-year deal, which is all Dallas has been giving out in free agency this year. 
• Machota adds that the only free agent move he could see the Cowboys making is to add another veteran running back if Mike Weber‘s knee injury lingers. 
• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott said his team has made a counter-offer to the Cowboys after receiving their first initial offer. (Todd Archer)
• Although the Cowboys have said that they plan to prioritize extensions for Amari Cooper and Prescott, Tom Pelissero reports that Dallas has spoken with RB Ezekiel Elliott‘s agents about a contract extension.
• According to Pelissero, the feeling around the organization is that both parties are “on the same page” about a deal that would potentially make Elliott the highest-paid running back in NFL history. 
• The Cowboys are holding LB Leighton Vander Esch out of OTA’s with a pelvic issue as a precaution. (Machota)
• Free-agent addition DT Christian Covington is also being held out of OTA’s with a calf issue. (Clarence Hill)

Giants

Giants OL coach Hal Hunter said the acquisition of G Kevin Zeitler will go a long way towards solidifying the offensive line. 

“[Zeitler] was under contract. There weren’t that many quality free-agent guards out there. They were talking about whether they were going to sign Jamon Brown back or not sign Jamon Brown back and then all of a sudden to bring a guy like that,” Hunter said via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “There are 31 other teams that would like to have him. So, for us to get a quality guy that, I’ll tell you what now, and basically everyone in the room knew, within a day every single guy in that lineup called and talked to him and told him how excited they were he was a part of the room.”

Redskins

Redskins G Brandon Scherff confirmed he’s started extension talks with the team, but doesn’t have a timetable for when the deal will be done. 

“We’ve been talking, but I’m not really worried about that,” Scherff said via NBC Sports’ J.P. Finlay. “I’m here for another year, so that’s all I’m worried about right now. Everything will take care of itself.”