NFC Notes: Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, Kayvon Thibodeaux

Commanders

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin wrote in a statement that he feels added responsibility after re-signing to a three-year, $71 million extension.

โ€œFrom the day I was drafted, Iโ€™ve had the singular goal to win a Super Bowl with this franchise. This is on my mind every day when I walk into the building. While I am both humbled and ecstatic about this contract, it motivates me to work even harder. I understand and embrace the responsibility that comes with signing this extension. To whom much is given, much is required. There is no other place I would rather be or fan base I would want to represent.โ€

Cowboys

Cowboys G Zack Martin thinks itโ€™s beneficial for first-round OL Tyler Smith to be lining up at left guard after playing left tackle during his college career. 

โ€œIt pays off that heโ€™s playing on one side,โ€ Martin said, via the teamโ€™s official site. โ€œIf you were playing left guard and then swinging over to right tackle, in my mind, that would be much harder than going from left tackle to left guard.โ€

Martin points out that playing on the same side allows Smith to use similar footwork to how he played at the college level. 

โ€œObviously, the protection stuff in space is different, but at least your footwork- in the run game, especially- is going to be the exact same at left tackle and left guard. Itโ€™ll be good for him to do both.โ€

Martin recalled his conversion from a right tackle in college to right guard with the Cowboys and described the differences between playing an interior role to tackle. 

โ€œIt happens a lot quicker,โ€ said Martin. โ€œGuys are on top of you a lot quicker, obviously, [with] a little bigger body. Youโ€™ve got to diagnose things quicker just because thereโ€™s not that space. But lucky for us, this is a great time of year for us to get those reps.โ€

Giants

Giants first-round OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux noted during his recent media tour that he is completely healthy and will be available for the start of training camp.

โ€œIโ€™m fully healthy, Iโ€™m doing fine,โ€ Thibodeaux said, via NFL.com. โ€œIโ€™m back training and Iโ€™ll be ready to go for training camp. Itโ€™s been great learning from the guys. One person canโ€™t do every move, so itโ€™s been understanding what I can do and whatโ€™s good for me and my game. Then itโ€™s fine-tuning everything I have. โ€ฆ The biggest challenge (heading into my rookie season) is understanding I canโ€™t control everything. I can only control what I can control. Even though I want to do as much as I can, I can only do the task at hand, my job.โ€

Thibodeaux also mentioned that one of his primary concerns is contributing defensively and learning the playbook.

โ€œI donโ€™t want to think too big. You have to compartmentalize the season,โ€ Thibodeaux added. โ€œIf I could average at least one sack a game or contribute five to 10 tackles a game, then Iโ€™ll be good. Thatโ€™s the smartest way to do it. You never want to look at the end. You always want to take it day by day. If you reach for the top, youโ€™ll miss those steps right in front of you. So I know if I take those small steps and get that one sack or five to 10 tackles a game, by the end of the season, Iโ€™ll be where I want to be.โ€

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