NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

In an alternate universe, legendary basketball player LeBron James is a legendary football player. Back in 2011, that was almost this universe, as James says he started to consider a return to the sport he hadn’t played since high school during the NBA’s lockout. 

“I had no idea how long the lockout was going to be,” James said on WRTS: After Party via TheSpun.com. “Myself and my trainer, Mike Mancias, we really started to actually train to be a football player when it came to October or November. We started to clock our time in the 40. We started to add a little bit more in our bench presses. We started to add a little bit more sled in our workouts.”

At one point, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones actually sent James a contract, which he still has framed. James said he considered playing for Dallas, but like always, something happened to keep him on the hardwood instead of the field. 

“The thoughts came into my mind,” James said. “The thoughts came into my mind. But never having the ability to finish my high school career of playing like my senior year, I have dreams all the time about playing football. It’s crazy, because I actually never run on the field in my dreams. It always gets to the point where I’m either in the locker room or getting dressed or talking about it or seeing the fans. As soon as I am about to run onto the field, something else happens in my dream. Something always happens like that.”

Giants

• Giants QB Daniel Jones told Sirius XM NFL that he has been trying to learn OC Jason Garrett‘s offense and added: “Trying to work on ball security, trying to be mindful of that.”

Redskins

• NBC Sports JP Finlay writes that while the Redskins added a plethora of running backs to an already crowded room, it’s for good reason as there’s a lot of uncertainty with most of the players. 
• 2019 fourth-round RB Bryce Love didn’t play as a rookie as he recovered from a torn ACL. Finlay reports multiple teams had Love off their board entirely and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready for training camp. 
• Redskins RB Derrius Guice has also had injury issues, playing just five games the past two years. 
• Finlay points out both third-round RB Antonio Gibson and free-agent addition J.D. McKissic are both capable pass catchers, which is a skill set valued by new OC Scott Turner. 
• Finlay adds Redskins RB Adrian Peterson is likely a lock for the roster in 2020 despite being 35.
• The Redskins also signed RB Peyton Barber, which strikes Finlay as insurance in case either Guice or Peterson get hurt. 
• Redskins fourth-round WR Antonio Gandy-Golden confirmed in a statement that he tested positive for COVID-19 but has since recovered: “During my pre-draft training, I tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24. My symptoms thankfully were mild, but I self-quarantined for two weeks and followed all guidelines from health experts. I was fully cleared April 7. I feel 100% now and can’t wait to get on the field for the Redskins ASAP! #HTTR!!” (Ben Standig)