Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports
To conclude the NFC OTAs recap, the NFC East is in the spotlight.
Dallas Cowboys: With Dallas coming off their best season in years, it’s hard to ignore how much they have improved. With Tony Romo actually able to participate in OTA’s this year, it’s already looking up for the Boys and Sean Lee’s return is sure to beef up the defense greatly. Sean Lee’s appearance also might end up being a necessity since it is currently unknown how much Greg Hardy is going to be participating in the regular season. Their first-round pick, Bryon Jones is also looking to be a blessing in disguise for the defense as well. As far as the Cowboys running back situation, there is no real solution to that problem yet, but Dez Bryant’s appearance on Thursday is a good sign for the Cowboys. Ever since the Cowboys made it to the playoffs last year for the first time since 2009, the Cowboys are starting to look like the team in the NFC East to beat.
New York Giants: The Giants OTAs are already looking a little disappointing with Odell Beckham Jr having to sit out due to a sore hamstring. However, the Giants’ draft pick Ereck Flowers is already looking like a starter and with Will Beatty out, it’s time for Flowers to show the Giants what he can do. With Victor Cruz out, for now at least, it looks like WR Corey Washington is finally going to get a chance to show his abilities. Their second-round draft pick, Landon Collins is making an impression as well, already fitting into the Giants defense considering that they’re allowing him to play multiple positions and try different ones is certainly only going to help the Giants get a better roster.
Philadelphia Eagles: With Sam Bradford being on limited status due to injury, it’s hard to place where the Eagles are in terms of OTAs. Kiko Alonso and DeMeco Ryans are participating in OTAs which can only beef up their defense. Obviously one player who is gardening a lot of publicity is Tim Tebow after he signed a 1-year contract with them. Tebow surely needs to improve after being out of the game for as long as he has, but Chip Kelly feels confident in Tebow’s abilities. However first-round draft pick, Nelson Agholor is living up to expectations, being praised by Jordan Matthews. Matthews had this to say when asked about Agholor, “The dude is one of the most explosive guys on the team already. So his work ethic speaks for itself, so I think we’re real compatible.” If the Eagles are able to translate that into the rest of the offensive line including with their quarterback situation, they should have an interesting season.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins have only won 7 in the past two seasons which is not a good sign already. However, the Redskins have made some drastic changes in the last two seasons. They hired a new general manager and offensive coordinator. In terms of OTAs, the Redskins are looking decent since Desean Jackson and Jordan Reed were both not present, but Duke Ihenacho is making an impression in terms of defense since he lost his first season with the Redskins. Obviously the biggest issue for the Redskins is their starting quarterback. For OTAs, Robert Griffin III is the starter which could be good or bad, depending upon how reliable the offensive line is going to be and how dedicated RG3 really is. RG3 made sure to praise their first-round draft pick, Brandon Scherff saying “I believe in him. I believe in the rest of the guys upfront. He’s going to bring that tenacity and that finishing mindset. He’s not going to be discouraged, no matter what happens”. Even if Scherff is starting off shaky, his presence alone is going to help the Redskins immensely.
