NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he wasn’t surprised at the deals signed by Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Texans QB Deshaun Watson. The two undoubtedly pushed the price for Cowboys QB Dak Prescott higher than it would have been had Dallas gotten a deal done sooner but Jones doesn’t think it will affect the team’s ability to ultimately sign Prescott long-term. 

“Everybody has to look at their own team, the makeup of their team, their salary-cap situation, but there’s no doubt what others are paid come to play,” Jones said via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “But I just think if you ask me, ‘Was I surprised in any way with Mahomes and Watson?’ I would say I’m not surprised and I reiterate are thinking for now and the future is to have Dak as our quarterback.”

• Jones sounded optimistic S Xavier Woods would play Week 1: “Everything’s on go. It would be really a surprise if he didn’t get out there Sunday night.” (Michael Gehlken)
• Jones answered a question about free-agent S Earl Thomas by praising veteran DB Brandon Carr instead: “He won’t probably be available for Sunday, but still, a little longer term, I think we’ve landed on our feet there.” (Gehlken)
• Carr said transitioning from cornerback to safety has “been my thought process for a few years now.” He added he’s fine starting out on the practice squad as an experienced veteran: “[It] is a little different, man. But I’m all about opportunity. …I don’t have any pride issues.” (Gehlken)
• Carr has started 192 straight games, which will probably come to an end this week, but he said he’s more worried about landing in the best place to win a Super Bowl: “I’m just so consumed on trying to figure out a way to get a ring. I’ve been playing for, this will be 13 years now. I don’t have any hardware. The streak is fine, but I want to end this game with some hardware, the ultimate team trophy.” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys’ DC Mike Nolan said when asked about Thomas potentially joining the team: “I’ve not had any conversations with Jerry Jones or anyone about (Thomas). When it becomes serious then maybe there will be a conversation. But as far as including me thus far, I have not.” (Machota)
• Nolan also mentioned fourth-round pick Reggie Robinson, whom the team plans to bring along slowly as he moves from cornerback to safety:  “He shows good promise. Will be more of a developmental player.” (Gehlken)
• Cowboys’ ST coordinator John Fassel says K Greg Zuerlein is close to being at his best: “I would say right now is pretty close to the best he’s been. I think he’s going to perform as well as he ever has.” (Gehlken)
• The Cowboys hosted free agent RB Elijah McGuire and S Eric Smith for visits on Tuesday. (Aaron Wilson)

Eagles

• The Eagles brought in former Bengals TE Jordan Franks for a workout on Monday. (Aaron Wilson)

Giants

There were a lot of factors that gave the Giants the edge in signing CB Logan Ryan. He’s familiar with HC Joe Judge and the defense the team is running that has its roots in the Patriots’ system. But a different kind of familiarity also gave the Giants an edge over 30 of the other 31 teams. 

“To be able to come home and play 20 minutes from Rutgers and an hour from where I grew up, it’s a dream come true,” Ryan said via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity. . . . It’s been a crazy year, you never know where you’re going to end up, never know how it’s going to go. Coming home was definitely something I always thought about.”

Washington

• According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington HC Ron Rivera was not at practice Tuesday as he underwent his first cancer treatment. 
• Washington hosted free agent K Brett Maher for a visit on Tuesday. (Aaron Wilson)