NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

• ESPN’s Todd Archer lists center as the biggest position battle on the team, with veteran Joe Looney the current incumbent. Guards Connor Williams and Connor McGovern could get a look, with fourth-round C Tyler Biadasz also a potential factor.
• Even after signing DE Everson Griffen, ESPN’s Ed Werder reports the Cowboys still would want DE Randy Gregory on the roster if he’s reinstated by the NFL. 

Eagles

The Eagles made only one veteran addition at linebacker this offseason, signing former Chargers LB Jatavis Brown to compete for a role on what is easily Philadelphia’s weakest position going into the season. Brown wasn’t guaranteed to start or even make the roster, but the 26-year-old made the decision to retire last week before it all had a chance to play out. 

“There are times when you just come to a point where maybe you just don’t have the passion, the drive,” Eagles HC Doug Pederson said via the Athletic’s Zach Berman. “It’s unfortunate because he’s a great kid. He and I had a great conversation last week. I understood where he was coming from. When your heart’s not in something, you don’t want to do the team, you don’t want to do yourself, your teammates a disservice. I respect that of him and have a lot of respect for that decision.”

• San Francisco’s deal with TE George Kittle is important for the Eagles, as it sets the bar for TE Zach Ertz who has two more years left on his deal and is a potential extension candidate. Ertz has said he wants to stay in Philadelphia his entire career: “I made it clear from the moment I got here as a rookie, then when I signed my second contract, that my goal was to be like Kobe Bryant … (and) play for (one organization in his career). I’ve made that known. … I know for sure I want to be here for the rest of my career.”
• NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo says there aren’t any indications anything is close between the two sides after Philadelphia made a run at extending Ertz late last year. 
• Per NJ.com’s Mike Kaye, Eagles CB Nickell Robey-Coleman said the Eagles showed the most interest in him during free agency: “The Eagles kind of came out of nowhere. I had a couple of teams that (were) looking at me, evaluating me and we (were) getting down to some decisions. That’s when the Philadelphia Eagles gave us a phone call and expressed how much they liked my style of play.”
• Philadelphia’s offer was for just one year and $1.35 million, but Robey-Coleman said the fit outweighed the money: “It sounded like they were more interested in me than any other team that was interested in me. I went with that, rather than being paid … I went with the fact that they believed in me.”
• ESPN’s Tim McManus lists wide receiver as the biggest position battle on the team, with first-round WR Jalen Reagor, 2019 second-round WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside, slot WR Greg Ward and injured veteran Alshon Jeffery all fighting to establish a pecking order. 
• Eagles DE Vinny Curry said he had other offers in March but his older brother’s death from COVID-19 complications had him unsure about playing this year for a while. (Jeff McLane)

Giants

The Giants secondary has been hit pretty hard this offseason and it took another blow when the team was unable to come to terms with free-agent CB Ross Cockrell, who would have provided a steady veteran presence as a starter. However, despite the apparent dire need, Giants HC Joe Judge downplayed the team’s need for a veteran corner. 

“Our priority is just to develop the players we have on the roster and look for any talent available on the street,” Judge said via Pro Football Talk. “I don’t care if it’s a first-year player or a 10th-year player. We’re looking for good players who can help build this program. To answer that question pretty direct, is it a priority to have a veteran? No, it’s not.”

• ESPN’s Jordan Raanan lists center as the biggest position battle on the team, with veteran Spencer Pulley the current favorite, but without much of an edge over Nick Gates, rookie Shane Lemieux or even a free agent like Jon Halapio or Justin Britt.