NFC Notes: Giants, Redskins, Seahawks

Giants

• Dan Duggan of NJ.com reports that the Giants did not increase rookie QB Davis Webb’s practice reps this week, despite HC Ben McAdoo leaving the door open for him to get more opportunities in the second half of the season.
• According to Duggan, the pecking order remained the same during practice this week with Eli Manning as the starter and Geno Smith as the backup.
• James Kratch doesn’t rule out the possibility that Jim Harbaugh could be a candidate for the Giants’ head-coaching job, but he considers it unlikely.
• Kratch believes Harbaugh is a good coach, but also overrated, as he doesn’t have a great track record for winning big games. Another concern mentioned by Kratch is the fact that Harbaugh began to wear on his players and the organization in San Francisco.
• It would also cost over $20 million to buy out Harbaugh’s contract at Michigan on top of a large salary.
• Kratch expects the Giants to re-sign C Brett Jones, but he doesn’t view him as a long-term option for New York at center.
• If the Giants lose Weston Richburg in free agency, Kratch could see New York drafting a center to pair with Jones moving forward.
• As for QB Eli Manning, Kratch fully expects him to the Giants’ starting quarterback in 2018. Although Kratch says there’s a “realistic chance” 2018 will be Manning’s final year with the team, odds still favor him playing out his contract.

Redskins

• John Keim of ESPN writes that if the Redskins are to make the playoffs this year, he would expect to see the team use their franchise tag on QB Kirk Cousins for the third straight season.
• According to Keim, Washington likes backup QB Colt McCoy “quite a bit.“
• Keim was asked for his thoughts about the possibility of the 49ers using newly acquired QB Jimmy Garoppolo to trade for Cousins next year. Keim has a hard time believing San Francisco would Garoppolo next year, as the 49ers likely made this move because of the belief that Washington would retain Cousins.
• Beyond that, Keim doubts that the Redskins would be willing to trade Cousins to the 49ers so he can be reunited with his former OC Kyle Shanahan.
• To complicate matters further, both teams would have to work out long-term deals with the two quarterbacks before a trade, considering that they’re both in line to be unresticted free agents.
• In the end, Keim expects Garoppolo to remain in San Francisco long-term and the Redskins tag Cousins for the third straight year.

Seahawks

Seahawks DE Dion Jordan played in his first game since the 2014 season on Thursday and recorded a sack and three quarterback hits.

Pete Carroll said the team is “fired up” about Jordan and they’re proud of the effort he has put into his return.

“Guys are fired up about how hard he played and how tough he played,” Carroll said, via the Miami Herald. “We’re really ecstatic for him, it’s been such a haul. We’re proud of the whole thing.”

After the game, Jordan said he’s really thankful for the opportunity.

“It’s a blessing, I feel thankful,” Jordan said. “I really happy right now, I’m not showing it as much but I’m thankful for having the teammates I have, having the coaches, the people in the training room. Everybody that’s given me a chance.

“It’s another step in my life toward everything that I want as a young man and as a football player. It’s been a journey. And like I’ve said, I keep my head down and wake up every morning and try to be the best version of myself. I work hard and come to work and do what I’m asked.”