Here is the latest news from around the NFC East.
Giants call three edge rushers for two spots on the defense a good problem to have – Michael David Smith, NBC Sports
The Giants are preparing to get after quarterbacks.
The Giants already liked the edge-rushing talent they had on their defense with Brian Burns on one side and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the other, before they drafted Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. But there’s no such thing as too many pass rushers on a defense.
Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen says Burns, Thibodeaux and Carter give his defense three starting-caliber edge rushers, and there will be plenty of opportunities to rush the passer for all of them.
“You got three guys for two spots when you look at it from the outside in,” Bowen said, via Jordan Raanan of ESPN. “It’s a really good problem to have.”
Carter may sometimes line up at inside linebacker while Burns and Thibodeaux are on the outside.
“There is some versatility there,” Bowen said. “With Abdul, he did a little bit of that stuff off the ball in college early in his career. So there is some versatility there and some versatility with what we could potentially do with Burns as well. Again, making sure in Abdul’s case that we understand what it takes to be an edge player in this league and all the development that comes with that. But at the same time, making sure we find ways to get the guys that can potentially impact the game for us on the field.”
The Giants hope their good problem to have causes plenty of problems for opposing quarterbacks.
Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore gives positive injury update – Bryan Manning, USA Today
Everything seems to be headed in the right direction for Washington’s DB.
One of the more positive developments at this week’s minicamp for the Washington Commanders was the health of cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The veteran corner skipped voluntary work this offseason, but was with the team this week for minicamp. When watching Lattimore work out during drills, he didn’t look like a player still bothered by a hamstring injury.
That’s because he’s not. Lattimore said he’s healthy and ready to reward the Commanders for sending multiple draft picks to the New Orleans Saints to acquire him.
“I just wanted to prove that they made the right decision,” Lattimore told reporters Wednesday, via Zach Selby of the team’s official website.
Lattimore acknowledged he pressed after Washington traded for him last season. When the trade occurred, Lattimore was out, dealing with a hamstring injury. He sat for several weeks after the trade, finally returning and playing in two games before reinjuring the hamstring and missing the final two regular-season games.
Lattimore returned for the postseason, but he was clearly never fully healthy. Lattimore discussed how he feels now compared to late last season, saying he feels explosive again.
“Just the burst, just getting all my breaks,” he said. “I was dealing with a hamstring, and that takes a lot out of you. It takes a long time to heal. I was just trying to battle through that, but now, since I got a full offseason, I feel explosive.”
Eagles All-Pro Feeling ‘Valued’ After Lucrative Extension – Nick Faria, Athlon Sports
Philly’s linebacker that exploded onto the scene last year gets rewards with a new deal.
Few players in NFL history have gone through the kind of career turnaround that Zack Baun has with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Originally used purely as an edge rusher with the New Orleans Saints, Baun signed a one-year contract with the Eagles during the 2024 offseason. Philadelphia tried him out as an off-ball middle linebacker as a low-risk gamble for their defense.
To say the move worked out would be an understatement.
Baun recorded 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, an interception, and four passes defensed during the 2024 campaign. That was good enough to make him a first-team All-Pro for the champion Eagles.
It also helped him agree to terms on a lucrative three-year, $51 million extension with Philadelphia this offseason.
Now, as one of the highest-paid linebackers in the game, Baun is thrilled to be back with the Eagles.
“Definitely valued,” Baun said during minicamp this week when asked about his feelings after signing his new deal. “Definitely appreciated. And we appreciate that as well. It also comes with a lot of responsibility. There’s a lot of money in our room now.
“And that’s also a standard that was set in that room last year.”
