NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

March 28, 2018

Cowboys

Last night, Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports mentioned that he’s convinced the Cowboys will release veteran WR Dez Bryant after this year’s draft.

“The Cowboys will cut Dez Bryant, after the draft, but make no mistake — they will cut him,” Schultz tweeted.

Schultz followed that up this morning by explaining that a veteran executive agreed that “there’s just no way” he could see the Cowboys keeping Bryant.
Schultz adds that it’s “highly unlikely” Bryant would take less money to remain with the Cowboys and he should have no trouble finding a new team if he becomes available.

Giants

Ian Rapoport reports that the Giants received their first trade offer for WR Odell Beckham shortly after the video of him eating pizza surfaced. According to Rapoport, the offer was “real low” and the Giants obviously turned it down.
Rapoport reports that the Giants would have to be “blown away” to deal Beckham, which likely means a “first-round pick plus.”
Tom Pelissero adds that other teams believe the Giants may have to settle for “a couple second-round picks, something in that neighborhood” in return for Beckham. According to Pelissero, the Rams’ interest in Beckham is believed to be real.

Redskins

Redskins HC Jay Gruden said this week that they’re “without a doubt” better off at the quarterback position after acquiring Alex Smith.

“Yeah, without a doubt,” Gruden said, via ESPN.com.“I don’t want to compare two players, but we’re always trying to be better at every position. We got better. Alex’s experience is well-noted, and his record the last five years is what it is. You could argue that all day, but we feel very good.

“It’s not one thing, it’s everything. It’s the entire body of work. He’s very good at the intermediate ball. He’s good with the quick game. He can run zone reads, the [run-pass options]. Very exciting. … The ability to ad-lib, make plays that aren’t there and keep plays alive. Coaching him for the first time will be exciting because I don’t think there’s a limit on what he can do. He has all the things you want a quarterback to be able to do.”

John Keim reports that OLB Pernell McPhee‘s contract with the Redskins is a one-year deal worth $1.8 million and carries a $1.7 million salary cap figure.
McPhee received a $350,000 signing bonus and gets a roster bonus of $31,250 per game up to $500,000.