NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• According to the Athletic’s Jon Machota, Cowboys QB Andy Dalton (concussion) is doing much better, is alert and will fly home with the team. Dalton does not remember what happened on the hit that knocked him out of the game.
• Dalton is currently in the concussion protocol. Dallas isn’t likely to sign another quarterback since they have two on the roster and it would take too long to get a third in through the COVID-19 protocols. (Ian Rapoport)
• Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said changing defensive coordinators “hasn’t crossed my mind. I’m focused on getting better every day. That’s where we are.” (Machota)
• Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones defended McCarthy, DC Mike Nolan and the rest of an embattled coaching staff, saying it would be a “work in progress” because of the injuries and new system: “I do believe we have the right kind of guys. I know we have the right head (coach) for the job. These things just take time.” (Machota)
• Added Jones: “You’re gonna watch a team evolve over time. Mike McCarthy has proven he can do it year-in and year-out…I’m not sticking my head in the sand. I understand there’s gonna be frustration. We deserve criticism, but I do think this will evolve.” (Machota)
• Jones noted the Cowboys should get CB Chidobe Awuzie and G Zack Martin back this week. (Machota)

Eagles

• The Athletic’s Bo Wulf and Zach Berman look at some trade candidates for the Eagles, including WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside, DE Genard Avery, DT Malik Jackson and DE Derek Barnett. 
• Arcega-Whiteside and Avery could fetch late-round picks from an interested team, while Jackson could maybe get a fifth as a salary dump. If the Eagles decide they won’t be re-signing Barnett after this season they could potentially try and flip him for a third-round pick. 
• As for players the Eagles could potentially bring on board, the two list Packers LB Oren Burks, Bears LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Jets LB Neville Hewitt, Lions LB Jarrad Davis, Packers CB Josh Jackson and potentially Lions RB Kerryon Johnson.
• Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice thinks the Eagles would have to package a pick with WR Alshon Jeffery to get another team to take him, like including a fifth and getting back a sixth in exchange for another team eating Jeffery’s salary. 

Giants

Out of what was seen as a strong group of offensive tackles in this past draft class, the Giants chose Andrew Thomas as their favorite and took him as the first one out of that group. But so far in 2020, Thomas is playing the worst out of the consensus top-four tackles and his former private OL coach Paul Alexander says he’s fallen into bad habits. 

“I’m going to be candid here, because I’m really upset for Andrew on this,” Alexander said via SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano. “What I saw (Thursday) night, I see completely different techniques than he used at Georgia. I don’t see his feet getting set. And I see his hands bouncing all over the place, like he’s punching a guy like a machine gun or something. When he was at Georgia, he controlled guys with his hands. So I see something completely different than I saw at Georgia. And my question is: Why are you doing different things than you did? I mean, he was the best tackle in the country. And right now it’s like, ‘Oh my God!’”

• Per the Athletic’s Dan Duggan, the Giants could potentially get a late-round pick for WR Golden Tate from a contender with available cap space. Tate is a likely cut candidate this offseason wherever he ends up. 
• Giants G Kevin Zeitler is in a similar boat as Tate, as while the 30-year-old is playing at a higher level, he also has a higher salary and plays a less valuable position. 
• If Giants DT Dalvin Tomlinson is not in the team’s long-term plans, he’s another player who could have value elsewhere as he enters the final year of his deal. 

Washington

• According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Washington LB Jon Bostic will not be suspended for his hit on a sliding Cowboys QB Andy Dalton, which knocked Dalton out with a concussion, though he was ejected. 
• Washington released DE Gerri Green, DB Manny Patterson and LB Donald Payne from their practice squad. (NFLTR)