NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Eagles

While the unique circumstances of the 2020 season will make it harder for undrafted free agents to make enough of a first impression to stick on the final roster, NJ.com’s Mike Kaye writes there are still six compelling candidates from the Eagles’ UDFA class:

• RB Michael Warren – Kaye notes Philadelphia usually keeps four or five running backs and Warren is one of just six on the roster at the moment. He also brings more of a power element to the team. 
• TE Noah Togiai – The rookie’s only competition for a backup tight end spot is fellow Eagles TE Josh Perkins. 
• S Grayland Arnold – Eagles GM Howie Roseman praised Arnold following the draft and his versatility fits in Philadelphia’s secondary. 
• C Luke Juriga – Kaye mentions Juriga received the largest signing bonus of any member of the Eagles’ UDFA class. 
• DT Raequan Williams – While the Eagles are deep at defensive tackle, Kaye believes Williams has a shot to stick as he was a draftable talent. 
• LB Dante Olson – The former Montana product has a chance to carve out a role at linebacker, perhaps the most wide-open position group on the team. 

Washington

• Per the Athletic’s Ben Standig, many around the NFL hailed the hiring of HC Ron Rivera by Washington as a much-needed move to turn around a franchise with potentially the worst culture in the NFL. One longtime NFL agent called it the best move the team has made in years: “(Ron) is an incredible motivator of men and an incredible coach and a person. So instantaneously, it’s already one of the best offseasons ever in (team) history regardless of the results on the football field.”
• However, the full scale of the problem Rivera faces was put on display yet again last week by the Washington Post’s story about 17 women, team employees and media members covering the franchise, who were sexually harassed by team employees. 
• One agent said Rivera doesn’t help fix the problems that start at the very top with team owner Dan Snyder: “(Dan) breeds a horrible culture in the building. People are not encouraged to give opinions. The only close analogy to the Redskins is the White House with Donald Trump.”
• A former employee of Rivera’s said, “He’s not a messiah. He’s a coach,” while pointing out other coaches with strong resumes have tried and failed to succeed in Washington: “Rivera can try … (but) everyone can be fired. Somehow, the NFL needs to send a person to Washington who can’t. The only way that things are going to change is if there’s someone in place who cannot be fired – or Dan leaves himself.”
• While the two sides have made a strong first impression on each other so far, a source familiar with the team predicted the honeymoon period would end eventually: “Rivera hasn’t met Dan Snyder yet. He hasn’t met the real Dan Snyder. He’ll meet him sometime. He hasn’t met him yet. I’ll guarantee you that.”
• Standig notes Washington still hasn’t hired a general manager, with Rivera, VP of player personnel Kyle Smith and senior VP of football business administration Rob Rogers splitting the duties. 
• None of Washington’s draft picks have signed their contracts yet, with part of the delay being the team is seeking commitment without paying yet in case the league delays the start of the season, according to Standig. 
• Washington is hiring NBC reporter Julie Donaldson to lead its radio broadcast team and serve a senior role in the organization. (Adam Schefter)
• Donaldson will be the senior VP of media and will be responsible for hiring a new play-by-play announcer following Larry Michael‘s retirement ahead of being named by the Post in its story. (John Keim)