NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Cowboys OC Kellen Moore said the team wants to get RB Ezekiel Elliott “as many touches as we can” but must be able to maintain him through a “16-plus” game schedule. 

“At the end of the day, we want to get him as many touches as we can. At the same time, you got to recognize what a 16-plus game season is,” said Moore, via Jon Machota. “We’ll see how it progresses (w/ the other RBs), but if we can get it to Zeke, we’re gonna get it to Zeke.” 

Cowboys WRs coach Sanjay Lal feels the “whole premise” of their offense is “vertical speed.” 

“The whole premise, in my opinion, of this offense is vertical speed,” said Lal, via Jon Machota. “If you can’t hit a go-route, the comeback game isn’t real, your slant game isn’t real …Being able to hit those deep balls in games is going to change everything if we’re able to do that.” 

Giants

Giants QB Eli Manning said the presence of first-round QB Daniel Jones will not change his approach in practice or games. 

“I don’t think you can stress that,” Manning said, via Bob Glauber of Newsday. “You got to go out there. I’m going to do my best every time I’m at practice and every time at the games and hope that’s enough for us to win the games. … I think it’s still kind of a situation where you have to have the same approach you’ve treated all the other years and just kind of hope for the best.”

Manning added that he expects increased pressure if he starts to play poorly in 2019. 

“I think that’ll come,” said Manning. “Just knowing that all of a sudden, you have struggles, things can change.”

• The Giants hired Chad Klunder as a scouting coordinator, which scouts both college and pro scouting. (Art Stapleton)
• New York also hired Brendan Prophett as an area scout for the Midwest. (Art Stapleton)
• The Giants promoted Tim McDonnell to assistant director of player personnel, (Art Stapleton)
• New York promoted Corey Lockett to pro scout. (Art Stapleton)
• The Giants also added Ben Burress and Kevin Monangai as assistants to the coaching staff. (Art Stapleton)
• New York also officially hired Pete Guelli as their new senior vice president and chief commercial officer. (Art Stapleton)

Redskins

• Redskins HC Jay Gruden said that WR Trey Quinn tweaked his hamstring and was held out of practice. The good news, however, is that Quinn is expected to be fine. (JP Finlay)
• Gruden mentioned that the most impressive back this spring has been Samaje Perine. (John Keim)
• Regarding veteran CB Josh Norman, Gruden said he’s “very underrated” and his competitiveness sets him apart: “He makes our team better.” (John Keim)
• Gruden also said he’s been impressed with newly signed LB Jon Bostic. (JP Finlay)