NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

• NFL Media’s Jane Slater says the last time she checked on a trade for Jets S Jamal Adams she was told by the Cowboys there was “nothing on Jamal.”
• Slater adds there’s a trust issue between Adams and the Jets now. Adams believes he’s been a team-first player but New York hasn’t followed through on a promise to redo his contract. 
• The Cowboys would be Adams’ top destination as he grew up nearby. He’d also be willing to compromise some on his contract demands for Dallas, as he’s looked into how he could make up the difference through endorsements in the local market. 
• Adams was videoed saying, “I’m trying, bro,” when someone asked him if he was “trying to come to Dallas.” Adams has requested a trade from the Jets and the Cowboys are one of the preferred destinations on his list. (Mark Fischer)

Eagles

As the Eagles are looking in the bargain bin for veteran running back depth, NJ.com’s Mike Kaye lists six players who aren’t LeSean McCoy or Devonta Freeman who would likely come for around the minimum salary. 

• RB Isaiah Crowell: Missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury but is 13 months removed from the injury. 
• RB Theo Riddick: Missed 2019 with a shoulder injury but worked with Eagles senior offensive assistant Rich Scangarello in Denver. Also has familiarity with Eagles DC Jim Schwartz and director of player personnel Jeremiah Washburn from their shared time with the Lions. 
• RB Wendell Smallwood: Familiar with the scheme and would provide veteran competition for younger players on the roster. 
• RB Jonathan Williams: Another experienced option who worked under former Eagles OC Frank Reich with the Colts in 2019 and could pick up the playbook faster as a result. 
• Broncos RB Royce Freeman: The Eagles would likely need to trade for Freeman unless Denver releases him during final cuts, but Kaye points out he worked with Scangarello in 2019 and Eagles assistant RB coach T.J. Paganetti coached Freeman in college at Oregon. 
• Colts RB Jordan Wilkins: Similar to Freeman, the Eagles could either trade for Wilkins or hope he lands on the wrong side of the roster bubble in Indianapolis. Wilkins has averaged 5.6 and 6 YPC in his first two seasons. 

Giants

Giants WR Darius Slayton had an impressive rookie season and is hoping to build off of it by improving his chemistry with QB Daniel Jones in any way he can.

“[The chemistry] is growing. Right now we’re working on him consistently answering the phone,” Slayton said jokingly, via GiantsWire.com. “That’s kind of the next step in our relationship. He’s gotten better. I know he’s working hard. I’m working hard where I am, and I know we’re both ready to be back together [at the facility].”

During a limited offseason, Slayton has been staying sharp by having his family members train with him using a tennis ball instead of a football.

“Some of (the drills), your partner also has to be a pretty coordinated individual,” Slayton said. “That was a little tricky doing that with my sister and dad. They’re OK coordinated, but definitely some of that stuff is just about tracking the ball, catching it. It’s smaller than a football, so if you catch something that small coming fast, a football is like nothing.”

Slayton added that he began building confidence as last season continued on and that he hopes to be able to hit the ground running in the first game of the 2020 season.

“My confidence is something that built as the year went on last year,” said Slayton. “Hopefully this year, I’ll be able to hit it Week 1 running. It’s mostly internal. It’s just all in your head to me. Especially for receivers, to get the ball you’ve got to catch it, catch it low, high, behind you. I think it just starts from having unwavering faith in your hands basically.”

• Former NFL GM and analyst for the Athletic Michael Lombardi writes the most obvious question for the Giants in 2020 is whether QB Daniel Jones will be able to take care of the ball. Jone threw 12 interceptions and fumbled 18 times as a rookie.