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Associated Press 9y

NFC East Free Agency Capsules

NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins

(Eds: Updates Eagles to delete Doug Graham.)

By The Associated Press

DALLAS COWBOYS (13-5)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB DeMarco Murray, LB Rolando McClain, LB Bruce Carter, WR/KR Dwayne Harris, LB Justin Durant, DE George Selvie, DE Anthony Spencer, T Jermey Parnell, DT Henry Melton, DT Nick Hayden, CB Sterling Moore.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: G Ron Leary, RB Lance Dunbar.

NEEDS: Now that the Cowboys have settled the Dez Bryant question with a $12.8 million franchise tag, their focus turns to Murray, who appears likely to test the market after leading the NFL with 1,845 yards rushing. Dallas will lack pass rushers again if Selvie and Spencer don't re-sign. That leaves Jeremy Mincey and second-year player DeMarcus Lawrence as likely starters. Cowboys could be very thin at linebacker. Cornerback is another issue with underperforming Brandon Carr at risk of being released in a salary cap move and Morris Claiborne unlikely to be ready before camp after left knee surgery.

NEW YORK GIANTS (6-10)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (franchise tagged), S Antrel Rolle, FB Henry Hynoski, TE Daniel Fells, LB Mark Herzlich, S Stevie Brown, CB Walter Thurmond III, HB Chris Ogbonnaya, LB Spencer Paysinger, G Adam Snyder, WR Jerrel Jernigan, OL James Brewer, LB Jacquian Williams, CB Zack Bowman, CB Chykie Brown, S Quintin Demps, DT Mike Patterson, G John Jerry.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: TE Larry Donnell and CB Chandler Fenner.

NEEDS: The Giants won a couple of Super Bowls under Tom Coughlin with defense. That's where the focus for free agency figures to be. The franchise tag should keep Pierre-Paul on the roster; the line has other needs. DE Mathias Kiwanuka was cut, DTs Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson are closer to the end of their careers, and DE Damontre Moore needs to prove himself in Year 3. Safeties Rolle, Brown and Demps are all free agents, which might leave coordinator Steve Spagnuolo with youngsters at the position. If MLB Jon Beason can't come back from a foot injury, the Giants need help in the middle. The offense blossomed late with new coordinator Ben McAdoo, a revitalized Eli Manning and the dynamic Odell Beckham Jr. at wide receiver. The offensive line could use a healthy G Geoff Schwartz and another guard-tackle who could give the line more options. While Beckham is back, Victor Cruz is coming off his second knee surgery in as many years.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-6)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Jeremy Maclin, QB Mark Sanchez, CB Bradley Fletcher, S Nate Allen, LB Casey Matthews, WR Brad Smith.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Cedric Thornton, RB Chris Polk, WR Jeff Maehl.

NEEDS: CB, S, LB, OL, QB. The Eagles aren't going to re-sign Fletcher and they parted with Cary Williams, so need to replace at least one starter and possibly two. Allen also isn't expected back, so they'll need a starting safety. The status of starting linebacker DeMeco Ryans is iffy. The release of right guard Todd Herremans means there's an opening for a starting job. If Sanchez gets a better opportunity elsewhere, they'll need a backup for Nick Foles.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-12)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CB E.J. Biggers, WR Leonard Hankerson, RB Roy Helu Jr., DT Jarvis Jenkins, QB Colt McCoy, S Brandon Meriweather, WR Santana Moss, DT Chris Neild, LB Brian Orakpo, OL Tyler Polumbus.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: PK Kai Forbath, OL Rishaw Johnson, S Trenton Robinson, CB Justin Rogers, RB Chris Thompson.

NEEDS: S, OL, LB, DL, CB. New GM Scot McCloughan has a difficult task. The defense was a failure last season, ranking 29th in points allowed and allowing big passing plays. Coordinator Jim Haslett is gone, and his replacement, Joe Barry, needs some new talent, from front to back. The team already signed lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, but could use more help along that line, at linebacker (Orakpo could leave) and, perhaps above all, at safety. Cornerback is an area of need, too, with two inexperienced players there, along with DeAngelo Hall, who coming off an Achilles tendon injury. The offensive line has been a problem area for years. McCloughan likes having big guys in the trenches. He's also said he prefers to build through the draft.

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