NFC East News: Preseason Report on the Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins
DALLAS COWBOYS: ESPN Dallas reports that Sam Hurd may be on his way out. The Cowboys have discussed trading the wide receiver, who had a career-high 19 special teams tackles last year.
“I think he does a lot of good things for us; that’s why he’s been with us,” coach Wade Phillips said. “He’s a guy you can count on. He’s been injured some the last couple of years, but I think he’s been solid as a receiver and one of our best special teamers, and he’s done that this year. We got a lot of good receivers. A lot of good players. I think it’s a competition every year, and really at that position, where he is, it’s always going to be competitive. If he’s a starter, that’s a different thing. But right now he’s not.”
The Cowboys have some young players who have stepped up on special teams, and they plan on using Roy Williams, Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton, Kevin Ogletree, and Dez Bryant at wide receiver.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Do you think there’s pressure on Kevin Kolb? Philly’s new starting quarterback was 11-0f-17 for 126 yards in Friday night’s loss to the Bengals, and through two preseason games he’s 17-of-28 for 221 yards. Following the Cincinnati game, The Philadelphia Inquirer broke down each of Kolb’s 17 throws. Here’s part of their review:
Kolb has been extremely impressive throwing on the run. When he’s had to scramble or roll out, he’s been on the money with his passes. On the flip side, he definitely had some happy feet (and admitted as much in the in-game TV interview), where he moved out of the pocket even though there was not a lot of pressure. It’s understandable, considering how the offensive line played at times, but something he will have to get a good feel for. In other instances, he showed that he has no reservations about standing in the pocket, releasing the ball and taking a hit.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Donovan McNabb will not play in Friday’s preseason game against the Jets after spraining his ankle during Saturday’s loss to Baltimore.
“I don’t think it’s a bad ankle sprain,” head coach Mike Shanahan said yesterday. “I don’t think it’s too bad. But it’s still real sore right now, sore enough where he couldn’t play this week if it was regular season, so that kind of gives you an idea.”
Rex Grossman, John Beck and Richard Bartel will share the snaps. The Washington Post explores the impact McNabb’s loss will have on the Redskins.
