:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53183957/630442758.0.jpg)
The Pro Bowl is over. Super Bowl LI has come and gone. The New England Patriots are indestructible and Tom Brady is a great quarterback. It’s time to turn the page on 2016 and look forward to the avalanche of mock drafts, signings and and pay cuts rolling our way. This week’s NFC Notebook starts off in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles QB Carson Wentz spoke with SB Nation’s Dan Rubenstein during radio row at Super Bowl LI last weekend and gave us the obligatory “being here makes me hungrier to get back as a participant” quote. It isn’t so easy to hang in past that, but the rest of the interview is pretty entertaining if you can will yourself through.
Carson Wentz says going to Super Bowl made him “even hungrier” | Bleeding Green Nation
SB Nation’s Dan Rubenstein caught up with the golden boy, Carson Wentz, down in Houston before Tom Brady won his fifth Super Bowl. They talked about the transition from Fargo to Philadelphia, the difference between the NCAA and NFL game speeds, and some highs and lows from the season.
The Eagles parted ways with veteran cornerback Leodis McKelvin after one mostly-bad season. Follkwing a loss to the Giants earlier in the season, an unhappy McKelvin cursed himself out (watch here). Talk about brutal honesty. After that self-assessment, it’d be fair to wonder whether or not he was also involved in the team’s decision to release him.
Eagles released CB Leodis McKelvin | Bleeding Green Nation
Dealing with injuries almost the entire season, McKelvin, 31, played in 13 games, starting 12. He had a very up and down year at outside corner, and was deemed expendable by most at season’s end.
In some of the week’s more unoriginal news, Philly has reportedly asked their 13-year veteran left tackle, with the soaring cap number, to take a pay cut.
Eagles approach Jason Peters about taking a pay cut | Bleeding Green Nation
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Caplan, the Eagles have approached veteran left tackle Jason Peters about taking a pay cut. According to Spotrac, Peters is scheduled to make $9.95 million in base salary this year, plus an extra $1 million in a signing bonus, and $250,000 in a workout bonus, putting his 2017 cap hit at $11.2 million. If the Eagles wanted to, they could theoretically cut Peters and save $9.2 million against the cap.
Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys owner and (don’t tell Tom Ryle I said this) meddling general manager Jerry Jones is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2017. It’s true. Jerry’s only doing his job — that he gave himself, — when he dictates to head coach Jason Garrett which quarterback to commit to next year. That isn’t meddling at all. Either way, Jerry certainly belongs in the HOF.
Jerry Jones is in the Hall of Fame | Blogging the Boys
It is laughable that some so-called “analysts” characterize Jones as a “meddler.” Folks, when he steps in and makes a call, he is not meddling. HE IS DOING HIS JOB! How can a general manager meddle by making the final decision on any aspect of football operations? That is the literal job description of a general manager.
Dallas cleaned up at NFL Honors. Garrett took Coach of the Year, Dak Prescott Offensive Rookie of the Year, the offensive line took home the group award for being the best in the business and Ezekiel Elliot got half of the so-called Air and Ground Player of the Year award, in tandem with Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan. Prescott even brought Zeke on stage with him to accept OROY. The gesture confirms something that's been clear all-season: these Cowboys are much more likable than the teams of the 90’s. Plot twist: this gives Giants fans even more reason to despise them.
Cowboys win big at NFL Honors | Blogging the Boys
Dak Prescott shared his Offensive Rookie of the Year honor with Ezekiel Elliott, showing the bond the Cowboys' rookies forged this season.
In sad news, Joseph Randle continues to self-destruct. The odds of Randle resuming his career look bleak at this point. Getting his life on track is much more important than football.
Ex-Cowboys RB Joseph Randle charged with assaulting fellow inmate | Pro Football Talk
Via the Wichita Eagle, Randle has now been charged with assaulting a fellow inmate in jail. Randle now has five criminal cases pending against him.
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins have crucial roster decisions to make on a couple of veterans, and Vernon Davis is enjoying D.C.
Daily Slop, 2/9 | Hogs Haven
Redskins position outlook: Wide receivers | CSN Mid-Atlantic
Redskins position outlook: What will the Redskins do if DeSean Jackson or Pierre Garçcon leave as free agents?
Vernon Davis Taking In Every Moment Being Back Home
After a career largely spent on the other side of the country, Vernon Davis returned to his hometown in 2016 and has been giving back both on and off the field.
Sticking with the money theme, Washington needs to get its house in order if they’re planning to franchise Kirk Cousins for the second consecutive season.
Daily Slop, 2/8 | Hogs Haven
Redskins offseason questions: After a lost rookie year, what should we expect from Josh Doctson this year?
The Redskins have offseason decisions to make on five veterans who combine to represent more than $16 million in potential salary-cap savings.
The league honored Doug Williams last Super Sunday, the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Daily Slop, 2/7 | Hogs Haven
Doug Williams honored by NFL as HBCU player | CSN Mid-Atlantic
Prior to Super Bowl 51, Doug Williams was recognized by the NFL as an HBCU player.
Playoffs show how far away Redskins are from NFL's top shelf | CSN Mid-Atlantic
The elite level of play in the playoffs and Super Bowl served up a reminder of just how far away the Redskins are from being one of football's best teams.