Cowboys Offer Odd Scouting Report on QB Trey Lance: Eagles NFC East Tracker

AUG 15 GOOD FOOTBALL? Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance played the majority of the Cowboys' 13-12 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams . ... and most reviews of his work use the word "mediocre.''

So what's coach Mike McCarthy trying to sell here?

“Good football,” McCarthy said of Lance. “Just the fact [to] get out there and play, let's be honest, I think it that gets lost in the preparation of all this; it's exciting to go play in a football game. We were all excited, obviously he was, too, so I just think all the things that lead into it you can see the work paid off.

"He was clearly prepared, I think the way he saw the game, the communication, way he ran the huddle, pre-snap penalties I think we had one. So that part was really good. He just needs a play. There's some things footwork-wise he'll be better. It's the first time not only for him this year ...''

Is the Cowboys coach trying to boost the third-stringer's confidence?

Or his trade value?

AUG 11 NEW MAN No, it's not that former Broncos safety.

The Eagles have signed Caden Sterns - yes, he is a former Broncos safety and they have released just-signed linebacker Shaq Quarterman.

Caden Sterns is no Justin Simmons, the All-Pro who remains on the free agency shelf.

But Caden Sterns will have to do. At least for now.

AUG 11 LAZARD TO EAGLES? To be clear, this is a "media proposal,'' not a team proposal.

But it's floating around out there: The Philadelphia Eagles should add to a wideout room presently topped by AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith by calling the New York Jets on vet Allen Lazard.

We're not sure why the Eagles are listed as a possible landing spot for Lazard by USA Today. ... but if there is any fire beneath the smoke?

We wonder - beyond the cap savings of moving Lazard - what the Jets get out of this "proposal.'' USA Today wants Philly to trade a "late-round pick'' for Lazard. ... But maybe they should ask his buddy Aaron Rodgers ...

Would you rather have Lazard now?

Or a "late-round pick'' for a time when you might no longer even be here?

AUG 10 – RODGERS RAMP UP – The New York Giants played their first preseason game on Thursday, beginning their summer circuit that will end on Aug. 24 against the New York Jets.

While the Jets begin their preseason on Saturday, they’ll do so without quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He’s healthy, nearly a year removed from his Achilles tear, but New York is taking every precaution. However, the Jets generally like to play their starters in the final preseason game.

Recently, head coach Robert Saleh spoke about that possibility.

“We haven’t had final decisions yet at all with regards to the third game,” Saleh said, via SNY. “You guys know me, the third game is usually when we like to play our guys and depending on how today went, how Saturday goes, and next week’s work with the Panthers and the following week with the Giants, I’ll make that decision.”

On whether or not that meant there’s a chance he lets Rodgers play, Saleh was brief, but seemingly open-minded.

“Yeah.”

Last year, Rodgers played well against the Giants, including a moment of trash talk with defensive lineman Jihad Ward. New York will have to wait and see if some exhibition game revenge is in store.

AUG 9 – ROURKE OFF THE BOARD – On Thursday, the New York Giants beat the Detroit Lions 14-3 to win their preseason opener.

In the process, they temporarily lost backup quarterback Drew Lock, who started the exhibition festivities. The quarterback went down with an oblique strain and hip pointer ( per Jordan Raanan ). Missing anything more than a few weeks would be unexpected.

Nevertheless, that left Tommy DeVito and Daniel Jones as the only quarterbacks on the roster, and opened the door for a short-term free agent signing.