As we continue counting down the days until NFL training camps open, let’s check in on a few of the latest items out of the NFC East….
- The Giants were among the teams that passed on Johnny Manziel in this year’s draft, but even if the club needed a quarterback, it sounds as if its interest in Manziel may have been lukewarm. Co-owner Steve Tisch told TMZ (link via Cleveland.com) that the former Texas A&M star’s lifestyle would concern him if Manziel was a Giant. “I think if you sort of look at the culture and the history of the Giants, he really doesn’t fit the profile of, historically, New York Giants football players,” Tisch said.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap continued his series on the best and worst contracts for each team today with a look at the Giants. In Fitzgerald’s opinion, New York’s offseason signing of cornerback Walter Thurmond gave the club its best contract, while offensive tackle William Beatty has the roster’s least team-friendly deal. Fitzgerald adds that another offseason signee, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, was a close “runner-up” for the Giants’ worst contract.
- The Cowboys invested a top-10 draft pick in Morris Claiborne and $50MM in Brandon Carr, and will need both cornerbacks to be better than they were last year if they hope to contend in 2014, writes Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. According to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required), Carr ranked 58th and Claiborne placed 88th among 110 qualified corners in 2013.
- As wide receiver Leonard Hankerson continues to recover from an ACL injury, Mike Jones of the Washington Post wonders if there will be a role on the Redskins‘ offense for him when he gets healthy.