NFC East Notes: Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Eagles

New Browns LB Mychal Kendricks mentioned during an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio that he wasn’t surprised that the Eagles released him.

“I wasn’t surprised the Eagles released me,” Kendricks said. “The year before we won the Super Bowl I asked for a trade due to playing time but last year I played more and played well and we won a Super Bowl. They also had cap issues so it just made sense.”

Giants

On Wednesday, Giants OT Ereck Flowers said “of course” he was hurt when the team signed Nate Solder in free agency.

“Of course, but I love playing football, so it’s whatever now,” Flowers said, via NJ.com.

Flowers added that he’s looking to prove to himself that he can play at the level he believes he should.

“I have to prove myself every time I hit the field and get better every year,” Flowers said. “Mainly, I just want to do it for myself. It’s not for anybody else. I want to prove to myself I can play at a certain level.”

“At the end of the day, they’ve got to do what’s best for their organization,” Flowers said in a show of candor. “I don’t have any personal feelings about it. Any player can get traded. I didn’t get traded. I’m still here. I haven’t even thought about it.”

• Jordan Ranaan believes that Giants C Jon Halapio is the favorite to land the starting role after practicing with the first-team on Tuesday.

Redskins

Regarding new QB Alex Smith, Redskins HC Jay Gruden said that the quarterback must have the offense down and be playing successfully by Week 1 of the regular season.

“He has got to get it down by the first game,” Gruden, via ProFootballTalk. “So I think he is already close to having it down for the most part. Each game plan is going to change with different concepts depending on who we play from time to time. But he needs to get it down and he will get it down. That’s why we got him here. That’s why we wanted to get a veteran quarterback here that can adjust to different schemes and alert on the fly.”

• Gruden said that DT Stacy McGee recently underwent groin surgery and the team is unsure whether he will be recovered for the start of training camp in July. (John Keim)