NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott thinks there’s been “a lot of improvement” to the organization from last year’s team and expects a “very, very special” season for them. 

“Improvement, a lot of improvement obviously from last year to this year, but deeper than that from those first five games,” Prescott said, via Newy Scruggs of NBC DFW. “Take those first five games and just say we’re going to be better than that as a team. We’re going to play more complementary football from defense to offense to special teams, and then we’re going to have a healthy team. We’ve all approached the offseason, we approached the season the right way. We’re just excited. We’re excited that hopefully we can stay healthy; we can get good fortune on that end. Then, we can just put everything we’ve worked hard for together on all stages and all phases of the game. We’re excited for this year. It’s going to be very, very special for us and for Cowboys fans.”

Eagles

Eagles C Jason Kelce said he has full confidence in QB Jalen Hurts.

“I was drafted in the sixth round, and nobody thought I would last a season in the NFL,” Kelce said, via Chris Franklin of NJ.com. “Analysts are analysts for a reason. They are certainly experts. I do not want to bash any of those guys, but I’m with Jalen every day, and he has all the intangibles. He’s an incredible leader and has a great work ethic. I can’t wait to see what that kid does. I don’t know how to evaluate quarterbacks, but I’m excited to be his teammate.”

Kelve also mentioned HC Nick Sirriani has kept his promises so far.

“The offseason program was a lot of fun,” Kelce said. “Nick practiced what he preached. A lot of coaches give lip service about competition. Everyone is going to talk about that. But, actually instituting drills with competition and having people go up and talk about your teammates, we are actually having a connection. He’s really practicing what he is preaching. It was a very fun three weeks.”

Giants

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes new Giants WR Kenny Golladay can be exactly the type of No. 1 receiver QB Daniel Jones needs to thrive — assuming OC Jason Garrett gets a little more aggressive and calls shots downfield. 

“Daniel does it well, you’ve got a big-bodied guy that does it well, so Jason’s got to be willing to push the ball downfield a little bit more,” Orlovsky said via the Athletic’s Dan Duggan. “You’ve got to create some chunk plays for your offense, give your guys give an opportunity.”

• NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt writes Giants WR Darius Slayton will have to compete for more for targets this season given all of New York’s additions at receiver but Slayton still brings a valuable deep threat component to the offense.