NFC East Notes: Randy Gregory, Cowboys, Giants

Randy Gregory

• Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones mentioned that DE Randy Gregory is still working on getting reinstated back into the NFL, though Dallas isn’t sure when that will be: “I do think he has a great chance to be back. I know he’s been working hard on his off-the-field issues. At some point, hopefully sooner (rather) than later, he’ll get before (NFL commissioner Roger Goodell) and be able to be reinstated.”

Cowboys

One of the biggest changes the Cowboys made this offseason was transitioning former QB coach Kellen Moore to offensive coordinator and replacing longtime play-caller Scott Linehan. Moore’s offense is mostly the same as Linehan’s, but the few tweaks he’s made such as utilizing more rub routes and pre-snap motion have revitalized a unit that was criticized as stale and predictable the past few seasons. 

“I think the biggest thing is just the wrinkles,” Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said via the Athletic’s Jon Machota. “You get in with a coordinator for a long period of time like we did with Scott (Linehan) and sometimes you feel like you are seeing Scott’s stuff year in and year out. I think the biggest thing here and what we were hoping to see were some wrinkles from that. I think we still have a system that if you look at it systematically there’s a lot of similarities, but you just have to bring the different formations and how you use your personnel. I think Kellen has done a great job of using our personnel. Each piece of the puzzle out there has a unique skill set that Kellen has been able to use.”

• The Cowboys aren’t ruling out S Xavier Woods (ankle), WR Michael Gallup (knee) or DT Tyrone Crawford (hip) for next week at the moment. 

Giants

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Giants GM Dave Gettleman had a high grade on Jaguars DE Josh Allen, seeing him as one of the best players in the draft.
• However, Gettleman passed on Allen for QB Daniel Jones, who he viewed as a clear franchise quarterback. The Giants called the Jaguars to try to trade back up for Allen, but Jacksonville elected to take the pass rusher.