Cowboys
Cowboys’ DE Randy Gregory feels as though his progress was hindered at times last season, especially when the coaching staff showed favoritism to LB Aldon Smith.
“I felt there was a little bit of favoritism going on, refusing to let me outshine their favorite,” Gregory told Dan Pompei of TheAthletic.com. “They knew I could do it, so they did what they could to keep me at bay. I had my times when I was angry. I used to talk to [agent] Peter [Schaffer] about it, and the best thing I could do was just go out there on the field with the plays they give me and make those plays worth it. I did that, but I truly felt I got robbed of a year last year.”
Mike Fisher of SI.com previously reported that owner Jerry Jones, who is a big believer in Gregory, confronted HC Mike McCarthy in a staff meeting and asked why the defensive end wasn’t playing more.
New Cowboys’ DC Dan Quinn agrees with the idea that Gregory should have been on the field more often and told this to McCarthy as well.
“I was surprised he didn’t play more,” Quinn said. “I brought it up to Mike. He was at the top of the list for me as far as defining a role. His playing time is going to increase, for sure. I think he’s going to really take off.”
Eagles
Eagles RT Lane Johnson mentioned how determined the team is to turn the page on last year and start things out with new HC Nick Sirianni.
“Really looking at our team right now, we had a great OTAs,” Johnson said, via NFL.com. “(We’re) moving forward, learning the playbook. I feel like coach Sirianni’s just taking great command of the team, holding everybody accountable. I know camp starts here in a few weeks, (July) 27th, and everybody’s looking forward to that. But a lot of veteran leadership, a lot of young, hungry guys ready to prove themselves, and that’s where we’re at. Last year was an embarrassment for everybody involved, and looking forward, we’re ready to change that.”
Johnson also said the team’s trust in former OC and current Colts HC Frank Reich has made getting to know Sirianni much easier.
“I think we gained a lot of trust just from having him from Frank Reich, who was the head in Indianapolis, and having him come from there, knowing he was a great dude,” Johnson said. “First thing that he came in and did was he took great command of the team. I think he created a lot of energy. Every day’s fun. During practice, there’s always some type of competition period. Sometimes even the coaches get out there and compete, too, so that’s what I like about it. Going into the building, man, it’s been really cool. But right now, we’re learning a new offense, we’re trying to get that going, and that’s really where we’re at. But so far, he’s taken great command of the team, and he commands a lot of respect.”
Giants
- NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt points out the Giants have an out in WR Sterling Shepard‘s contract after this season and first-round WR Kadarius Toney also plays slot receiver.
- According to Over The Cap, the Giants would save $6.5 million in cap space by cutting Shepard in 2022. They currently have $205.5 million of a projected $208.2 million 2022 cap ceiling already committed.
- After a strong finish to the season, the Giants are optimistic about C Nick Gates in 2021 and view him as the one part of the offensive line they don’t have to worry about. (Rosenblatt)
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