Lending credence to a report that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is one of the few voices in the Dallas office that doesn’t want to release troubled linebacker Rolando McClain, Jones today expressed support for McClain and seemed to indicate the club wouldn’t part ways any time soon. “There’s a lot of reasons why we don’t cut him: cap, many reasons,” said Jones, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. “But the bottom line is, I’d like to be positive about this and think that we haven’t seen the last of Rolando McClain.” So while financial concerns still appear to be at play — a notion that Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram corroborates (Twitter link) — it sounds like Jones still has a belief that McClain will be able to contribute on the field later in the season.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Almost two years after teaming with Roc Nation, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has left CAA and agent Tom Condon to be represented solely by Jay-Z’s organization, according to Liz Muller of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link). The switch doesn’t figure to have many implications currently, as Dallas has Bryant locked up for years to come. After being assigned the franchise tag last prior to last season, Bryant agreed to a five-year, $70 extension that will keep him with the Cowboys through 2019.
- A few unheralded players figure to make the Redskins‘ 53-man roster, and Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com points to running back Robert Kelly as one surprising option that could make waves this summer. As Roster Resource shows, Washington doesn’t have much depth behind starter Matt Jones, as third-down back Chris Thompson is recovering from shoulder surgery, while Keith Marshall, Mack Brown, and Kelly have no NFL experience. Tandler’s colleague Tarik El-Bashir, meanwhile, identifies tight end Marcel Jensen as someone who could unseat veteran Logan Paulsen for the club’s fourth tight end position.
- Even if he’s able to fully recover from his torn patellar tendon, Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is unlikely to have much of an impact in 2016, opines Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. While uncertainty surrounds Cruz’s health, New York clearly isn’t counting on him, as the club drafted Sterling Shepard in the second round. As Roster Resource details, Shepard figures to start, while Dwayne Harris could also play a key role. Additionally, Big Blue has been rumored to be in the free agent receiver market, so perhaps the club could bring in external option as camp progresses.
- Earlier today, the Redskins signed receiver Dez Stewart, who was part of a morning workout that included fellow pass-catcher Marlon Brown and quarterback Jimmy Clausen.