NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy believes veteran LB Sean Lee would be a “great coach” in the NFL. 

“I think I mentioned if he is dumb enough to get into coaching we should definitely talk,” McCarthy said, via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “He would be a great coach. He would be an excellent prospect.”

Lee said he is not thinking about Week 16’s game potentially being the final time he plays in Dallas. 

“I really don’t think about it, just because the game is so tough,” Lee said. “I’ve always tried to prepare a certain way to where the focus is purely on your opponent on how to make plays on the field, almost trying to be obsessed with that, going over it, rehearsing it constantly throughout the week so when you get in the game you feel comfortable. Every game I’ve played in I’ve felt blessed to have the opportunity.”

Although Lee admits that he’s considered retirement in recent years, the veteran linebacker still feels love for the game after making a play. 

“You kind of go back and forth on things at times as you get older,” Lee said. “But the problem is anytime I go on the field and I get to play, and you make a couple of plays, you’re like, ‘Well, I like this too much. And that is my problem. I love this game too much. I love this organization a lot. And I love playing and I love playing the position, linebacker.”

Giants

• On Friday, the Giants locked up DB Logan Ryan to a three-year, $31 million extension. 
• Dan Duggan doesn’t think this extension says anything about GM Dave Gettleman’s status with the team and it has more to do with Ryan being a player the organization wants here long-term, regardless of who is GM.

Washington

• Washington QB Alex Smith (calf) was a full participant at practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Week 16.
• Ian Rapoport mentions that Smith is a “50/50″ at this point whether he’ll play on Sunday, but he is making progress as the week moves on. 
• Nicki Jhabvala reports that Smith took the majority of the first-team reps in practice on Friday.
• Washington HC Ron Rivera spoke about the progress of rookie WR Antonio Gandy-Golden‘s injury: “AGG looked good. He had another good day of practice. We’ll see how he is tomorrow and then we’ll see how he is Saturday and then we’ll make a decision on that.” (Ben Standig)