After having arthroscopic knee surgery on April 10, Giants quarterback Eli Manning is participating in OTAs with no limitations. That’s two months ahead of schedule, notes Giants.com Senior Writer/Editor Michael Eisen, who quoted head coach Tom Couglin: “He’s so far ahead. When we started out I didn’t think I would have him for anything. We’re about two or three days into the phase two (when the offense and defense worked separately) and he’s running around. I’m trying to slow him down but he feels good. I’m not surprised at all.”
In other NFC East notes…
- Manning’s quick recovery expedited the release of Josh Freeman, and Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith says the quarterback’s mental deficiency has been the cause of his demise: “[Freeman’s] biggest problem in New York this offseason appears to be the same as his biggest problem in Minnesota last season: He struggles to learn the offense.”
- Eagles safety Nate Allen has had an up-and-down, four-year career, but he’s survived four defensive coordinators, the team is sticking with him and he’s projected to start alongside Malcolm Jenkins, writes Zach Berman in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Brad Smith‘s head was spinning when he joined the Eagles late in the season, but he earned a role as a core special teams player, writes Dave Spadaro on the team’s website.
- Sheil Kapadia of phillymag.com is keeping a diary Eagles practice observations. Among Friday’s notes: Mark Sanchez took all the second-team reps ahead of Matt Barkley, while veteran Smith and rookie Josh Huff were getting first-team reps in the slot with second-rounder Jordan Matthews absent.
- The Cowboys are taking it slow with free agent acquisition Henry Melton, who is recovering from ACL surgery, with an eye towards being at full strength for training camp, writes Cowboys staff writer Rowan Kavner. In the meantime, Tyrone Crawford could get work at three-technique.