NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Per the Athletic’s Jon Machota, Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy is happy with what he’s seen from QB Dak Prescott so far: “He’s looked very good in the throwing segments of the strength and conditioning phase that we’re in right now. We’re very pleased with where he is. Very impressive.”
• McCarthy mentioned the team will value versatility in the secondary and noted how CB Chidobe Awuzie also can play safety. (Michael Gehlken)

Giants

When the Giants drafted RB Saquon Barkley No. 2 overall, then-HC Pat Shurmur was entering his first year after his predecessor, Ben McAdoo, didn’t even make it a full two seasons before being fired. Shurmur made it two years before the Giants elected to change gears and bring in HC Joe Judge. While the shine wore quickly off the first two coaches, Barkley thinks there are signs that this time is different for New York. 

“What tells me this could be different, one, it’s a brand-new year. It’s a fresh start,” Barkley said via the team website. “From what I have seen in these first couple of days is we are steps ahead, in my opinion. We are coming in, we’re locked in. Are mistakes being made, yes, that’s part of the nature of learning a system and learning a new offense. We have what I believe is really great coaching staff starting with Coach Judge to Coach Garrett and so on down the line. They are doing a tremendous job of having us focusing on the little things and focused on situational football, which I think is a part of our game we can improve on from this year to last year.”

Washington

• Per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington OT Morgan Moses has seen progress from QB Dwayne Haskins going into his second season: “Seeing his change, knowing that he’s going to be the No. 1 QB … has probably been the most impressive thing from a rookie guy.”
• Haskins has already shown a better grasp of the playbook and is in much better shape in his second year than as a rookie but Moses adds he’s still got to prove himself on the field: “He put the work in… he changed his body… but until in team periods you can’t tell if he’ll be that guy or not …still has a lot to prove like all of us.” (John Keim)