NFC East Notes: Dwayne Haskins, Cowboys, Redskins

Dwayne Haskins

While Redskins first-round QB Dwayne Haskins didn’t win the starting job for the team, Washington is still happy with the progress of their first-round pick. 

“He’s a young player, obviously, just learning the system for the first time,” Redskins HC Jay Gruden said of Haskins, via Les Carpenter of the Washington Post. “As far as Dwayne is concerned, you just have got to continue to work and get these reps — mental reps, physical reps and just continue to build on his performance day after day.”

Haskins has been up and down throughout training camp and preseason, as he’s flashed his natural talent while also facing difficulties adjusting to a new NFL system. His highlights in the preseason reflect that, with plays where he stands tall in the pocket and rifles accurate passes downfield and others where he’s fooled by the defense. 

“Part of the problem is you have to expose guys to some struggles early on so that they can see how hard of a position it’s going to be,” Redskins OC Kevin O’Connell said. “It almost ignites a work ethic and an understanding of: ‘I better do everything in my power to put this offense in the best possible position, and how do I do that?’ It’s being prepared every single day.”

“He’s such an even-keel guy and I think that’s going to bode well for him in his career, being steady, never too high, never being too low,” O’Connell continued. “Sometimes you want to push him to show some emotion.. [You want him] to show some of those young guys in the huddle with him that it’s okay for you to lead that group. It’s okay for you to lead by example.”

Cowboys

Cowboys G Zack Martin missed some time earlier in training camp with a back injury that cropped up. Martin is one of the best guards in the NFL, so the new was concerning for the Cowboys. However, Martin says an MRI showed no real issues and his goal is to play all 16 games this year. 

“My goal is to be out there for every game this season,” Martin said via the team’s website. “Knowing that my teammates can count on me week in and week out, I take great pride in that. That’s something that I’m working to get back to.”

• According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones‘ recent comments about having RB Ezekiel Elliott back for the playoffs suggest that the team is preparing for Elliott to sit out the first six games of the regular season. 
• In order for Elliott’s contract to toll a year toward free agency, he must play in at least eight games this season. 
• The Athletic’s Jay Glazer believes Elliott will sign a deal making him the NFL’s highest-paid running back and play for the Cowboys in Week 1, but adds you can never be sure how negotiations will go. 
• Glazer adds there’s no reliable timetable for Cowboys WR Amari Cooper to recover from plantar fasciitis and he’ll likely deal with it the whole season. 
• The NFLPA is looking into Jones comments that he likes to cut out agents and deal directly with players during contract negotiations. (Pro Football Talk)

Redskins

Redskins G Ereck Flowers is not only facing a transition from tackle inside to guard this year. The former first-round pick by the Giants is trying to resurrect a career many have deemed a bust and is fighting to show that assessment by many is premature and unfounded. 

“People don’t think for themselves,” Flowers said via the Athletic’s Rhiannon Walker. “Everybody goes off what the next person says; you know what I mean? So it’s whatever to me. I’m just going out there and enjoying playing this game as long as I can play it. I’m just here to get better. I’m here to get better every day, and I’m going to get better every day and every game. It doesn’t bother me what people have to say.”

• NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo says this could be it for Redskins WR Josh Doctson, who could be released as Washington has had no luck shopping the former first-round pick.