NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore said there’s obviously an appeal to the Boise State head coaching job but he’s focused for the time being on finishing out the season with Dallas: “Obviously Boise is a unique one for me, special to me, I love that place. Obviously just going through the process right now. I’m just focused on this game. We’ll kind of let all this stuff play out and see where it takes us.”
• Cowboys’ HC Mike McCarthy was happy to see that taking the week off helped RB Ezekiel Elliott, who is dealing with a calf injury: “There’s no doubt the week off helped him immensely.” (Michael Gehlken)
• McCarthy said RG Zack Martin, who also has a calf injury, is progressing well but it remains to be seen if he will practice this week. (Gehlken)
• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t expect Martin to play in Week 17 but says he could make it back if Dallas makes the playoffs. (Archer)
• Jones is excited for DE Randy Gregory to have a bigger role with the team going forward: “I’m just excited. I have visions of a future for Randy here with the Cowboys that can meet the promise that we really were looking at when we drafted him in the second round.” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys’ ST coordinator John Fassel gave praise to P Hunter Niswander and says that he certainly has a future in the league: “I think he’s put in a tremendous bid for a job in the NFL and definitely one here. Hopefully, he’s got a few more games to prove some more good punting.” (Gehlken)

Eagles

• Albert Breer of SI believes that both Doug Pederson and GM Howie Roseman deserve the chance to remain with the franchise in 2021. However, he thinks team owner Jeffrey Lurie will explore his options.
• As for potential replacements, Breer mentions Chiefs’ passing-game coordinator and former NFL quarterback Mike Kafka and Bears’ HC Matt Nagy. Breer does note that Kafka may see a promotion in Kansas City if OC Eric Bieniemy moves on and that Nagy could most likely end up staying in Chicago.

Giants

• NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt says it’s clear the Giants are trying to let fifth-round G Shane Lemieux work through his growing pains in the starting lineup at the expense of former second-round G Will Hernandez. 
• Rosenblatt notes Hernandez hasn’t gotten his starting job back since coming back from the COVID-19 list. Giants OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo said earlier this month Lemieux has been impressive in meetings and they’ve been trying to get it to translate to the field: “He’s doing a tremendous job working at it. He’s a guy that really pays attention to everything you say. Does it translate to games? Not always. But he’s working at it as good as any guy I have. I think he’s got a tremendous upside. But we gotta keep working at it.”
• Rosenblatt adds first-round OT Andrew Thomas has played better with Lemieux next to him instead of Hernandez. Thomas has allowed just 20 pressures and has a pass-blocking grade of 63.1 per PFF with Lemieux compared to 36 pressures and a grade of 45.3. 

Washington

Washington HC Ron Rivera gave his thoughts about the decision to move on from QB Dwayne Haskins in less than two seasons.

• According to Albert Breer of SI, Washington considered cutting Haskins last week, but the final straw came when he showed he wasn’t a better option than QB Taylor Heinicke.
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes some NFL executives believe Washington QB Alex Smith could retire after this season, especially if the team makes the playoffs: “He deserves every accolade imaginable for what he’s gone through to get back. I just wonder if his body, especially after this recent [calf strain], will be telling him this is it.”