NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Cowboys, Redskins

Buccaneers

Buccaneers WR DeSean Jackson is coming off of a disappointing first year in Tampa Bay and HC Dirk Koetter has said that it wasn’t all his fault and getting him involved is something that both he and QB Jameis Winston need to do a better job of next season.

“DeSean was where he was supposed to be,” Koetter said. “He was either behind the defense, in between the corner and safety, or he was in position to make explosive plays, and we didn’t get the ball to him. That’s on myself, it’s on Jameis to do better. I think DeSean and Jameis have said they need to spend more time working together, and I think they’re addressing that.”

Winston responded to an article from Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times on Twitter, saying: “We got this! I personally will make sure we show how valuable @DeSeanJackson11 is to our team and @NFL.”

Cowboys

Cowboys LT Tyron Smith said that his problematic back and the other injuries he’s dealt are now “feeling great.”

“I’m feeling great now,” Smith said, via DallasCowboys.com. “Actually, I feel like I’m in the best shape I’ve been in a while. I’ve taken this offseason to get back into it a little early and try to take care of my body a little more. I’m just doing the little small [rehab] things and I just feel awesome right now.

“I went to California and went to a facility out there and starting training and rehabbing a little early,” Smith added. “We just worked on the little things like stretching and taking pressure off my back and opening up my hips a little bit. It’s just little things but I’m feeling great.”

Redskins

• Rich Tandler of NBC Washington points out that if the Redskins are to recoup the third-round pick they lost in the trade for QB Alex Smith, they would have to move back four spots in round one to No. 17 overall. If they wanted to get a second-round pick, Tandler says they’d have to move back to No. 23 or 24 overall.
• While the Redskins have been linked to defensive linemen in round one, Tandler mentions that if either Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James end up being available to Washington in round one, they will take him.
• The Redskins hosted Washington State OT Cole Madison for a pre-draft visit on Friday.