HEADLINES

Justin Durant

NFC Notes: Jones, Rams, Cowboys, Nicks

June 9th, 2014 at 6:07pm CST by Matt Feminis

In a video interview with SI.com, Falcons receiver Julio Jones said he expects to sign a long-term contract extension before his rookie deal runs out. “I will not get to free agency,” said Jones. “They gave up a lot for me and they know how hard I work. They’re not going to let me go. And I love Atlanta, I love being here.” Jones also says teammate Roddy White, a free agent next year, wants to be in Atlanta three more years.

Here’s a few more NFC notes:

  • The Rams boast the league’s best front seven, while the Cowboys’ is the worst, according to Mike Tanier of Sports On Earth. On the Rams’ burgeoning front four (excluding first-round pick Aaron Donald), in particular, Tanier says, “Think of the Rams defensive line as starting each game with four three-and-outs that leave the opponent punting from about the 22-yard line, and you get a sense of their impact.”
  • Meanwhile, “The Cowboys lost DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and (in the saddest, most ridiculous minicamp story of the year) Sean Lee from a defense that allowed 2,056 rushing yards and recorded just 36 sacks last year,” writes Tanier. “Henry Melton arrives as a younger, more system-suited replacement for Hatcher, but everything else is a shambles. Bruce Carter, Justin Durant and DeVonte Holloman form the most anonymous linebacker corps in the league…And of course, the Cowboys are so cap-stressed that they wouldn’t be able to sign a veteran reinforcement, even if one becomes available this late in the offseason.”
  • Buccaneers veteran guard Carl Nicks‘ health status remains a question mark, writes ESPN’s Pat Yasinkas: “Nicks, who missed almost all of last season with a toe injury and a MRSA infection, previously has said he expects to be ready for training camp. But it remains to be seen if he still is on target. The team has been quiet about Nicks’ status.”
  • Seahawks pass rusher Bruce Irvin (hip) and running back Robert Turbin (knee) had off-season surgery, reports Bob Condotta in the Seattle Times.
  • The 49ers have approximately $6.4MM in cap space, probably enough to “extend a vet and have an emergency stash for the season,” according to ESPN’s Bill Williamson (via Twitter).

NFC East Notes: Maclin, Henery, Cowboys

June 2nd, 2014 at 9:06pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Onlookers held their breath today during the Eagles’ OTAs after receiver Jeremy Maclin fell to the ground holding his knee, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. While Maclin tore the ACL in his right knee last year, causing him to miss the entire season, today’s incident left him clutching his left knee. Still, any injury to Maclin, who is expected to be leaned on heavily following the release of DeSean Jackson, would have terrified the Eagles’ coaching staff. Luckily, Maclin quickly got to his feet, and later noted that he felt fine.

More from around the NFC East:

  • While Eagles kicker Alex Henery‘s accuracy has decreased each season during his time in the NFL, he remains confident he can win a competition with undrafted free agent Carey Spear (nickamed “Murderleg”), according to Kevin Rossi of CSNPhilly.com.
  • Justin Durant has some experience at middle linebacker, and is also is well-versed in the 4-3 defense after playing under Rod Marinelli with the Lions, so he’s the most natural replacement for the Cowboys at the MIKE position following the loss of Sean Lee, per Calvin Watikins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • Fourth-round rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who signed with the Cowboys yesterday, is also trying to help offset the loss of Lee by adjusting to middle linebacker after playing on the outside while at Iowa, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • Mackenzy Bernadeau isn’t complaining after losing the Cowboys right guard job to rookie Zack Martin, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Bernadeau started all 16 games at RG for Dallas last season, but is taking reps at all three interior line positions during OTAs in an attempt to become more versatile. “It’s like learning to write with your left hand instead of your right hand,” Bernadeau said about playing left guard. “The only difference is that I was able to play the left side before, so I have some experience there, and it’s just getting used to the technique and the guys end up playing next to you. It’s more important to get used to the guys next to you and what their steps are than the techniques because I’ve played both sides before.”
  • As of yet, Jermichael Finley has no plans to work out for the Giants, but that could change, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. New York’s tight end depth chart is currently headlined by Adrien Robinson and Kellen Davis.

NFC Notes: Giants, Durant, Washington, Floyd

May 24th, 2014 at 8:47am CST by Matt Feminis

“It seems everyone in the free world with an interest in football wants to know why the Giants didn’t draft a tight end and what they’re going to do to shore up the position,” writes Giants.com Senior Writer/Editor Michael Eisen. However, Eisen says GM Jerry Reese likes his two young, developmental tight ends (Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell) and wants to see what the team has in veterans Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells and rookie free agent Xavier Grimble before addressing the position.

In other NFC news and notes…