NFL Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Steelers

Cowboys

Cowboys OL La’el Collins says that the move to right tackle surprisingly “feels damn natural.”

“It’s weird because I feel like if you change positions and you’re doing everything out of an opposite stance, that it would take time, but it just feels damn natural to me,” Collins said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “It just feels natural. It just feels good. It all comes with focus and being locked in and staying locked in throughout everything, understanding my footwork, understanding where I need to be, understanding football. Once you do that, you study film, you prepare the right way, you can go out there and play free.”

Giants

• Ralph Vacchiano of SNY has spoken with a number of people around the NFL who expect Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr to secure the largest contract ever for a wide receiver once he and New York have agreed on a new deal.
• According to Vachhiano, Beckham Jr could end securing as much as $100 million or more as part of a long-term due to his age and huge production over the first three years of his career.
• Multiple sources have told Vacchiano that Beckham Jr should be able to top the even-year, $113 million contract signed by former Lions WR Calvin Johnson while also shattering the $17 million per year record being paid to Steelers WR Antonio Brown.
• One recent report mentioned that Beckham Jr was skipping OTAs in part because of his current contract situation. However, he’s still expect to be in attendance for the start of mandatory minicamp. (NFLTR)

Steelers

Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the Steelers would like to sign DL Stephon Tuitt to a long-term extension before the start of the season. However, Tuitt says he’s leaving contract talks with the Steelers up to his agent.

“I don’t really talk to my agent much,” Tuitt said Thursday. “I don’t care about that. What I care about is staying in shape and being the best person I can be every day and enjoying what I’m doing.

“I’m not thinking about anything at all. I have a lot of football ahead of me. Just getting better every day is my goal. I’m probably a couple of steps away from being the No. 1 defensive lineman in the league, from having multiple sacks. It’s just preparing and becoming that guy, the guy the Steelers need me to be and help them get to the Super Bowl.”

Tuitt added that he loves it in Pittsburgh and being part of the Steelers’ organization.

“I would love it here,” Tuitt said. “It’s a blessing if they see me being here for the long term. I love the organization. We were a game away from doing something. When was the last time the Steelers went to the Super Bowl?

“I watch film. I talk to the older guys like Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. I want to experience that feeling here. I want to know what that’s like, and I’m glad I have one more year to try to do that with them.”