NFC Notes: Washington, Gallup, Ridley

the Washington football team was always meant to be a temporary name after Washington dropped its old nickname. Then it became somewhat popular with fans, which led to considering making it permanent. It seems less likely now, as the US Patent and Trademark Office has just “issued a first refusal” of the team’s attempt to file the name, Sam Fortier of the Washington Post reports. The decision cited the “generic geographic nature of the request”.

Doesn’t mean they can’t use the name Washington football team for the 2021 season, that just means they can’t apply the brand at the moment for things like merchandising. However, experts Fortier spoke to seem to think the franchise has a good chance of overturning that decision on appeal. In any case, this could further encourage the owner Dan Snyder go with something entirely new. An expert suggested to Fortier that the team could add new elements to make the brand more distinctive, like a mascot. A “Football Team” mascot would definitely be something to see.

Here’s more on the NFC on a quiet Sunday night:

• Stay in the NFC East for a while. It is “unlikely” that the receiver Michael gallup is on the cowboys list beyond this season, Jon Machota from The Athletic written. Machota argues that there is “simply not enough salary cap space” to accommodate Gallup contracts, Amari Cooper and Lamb CeeDee. A third-round pick in 2018, Gallup is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will look to be paid the next offseason. Machota believes there is “a scenario” where Cooper faces injury or regresses and the team chooses to walk away from him and keep Gallup, but they likely won’t be together again. The Colorado State product is coming off a strong season where he turned 59 catches for 843 yards and five touchdowns, most of them without. Dak prescott. In his final year with Prescott in 2019, he tallied 1,107 yards and six scores in just 14 games.
• After the negotiation Julio Jones, the Falcons will rely heavily on Calvin ridley this season. As such, there was understandably some concern when it was announced a few weeks ago that Ridley had undergone foot surgery. Fortunately, we have another positive update to pass on. The foot injury was actually something Ridley dealt with in the 2020 season, and not a new injury suffered this offseason, the broad told media recently, via Scott Bair from the official team website. “It was just minor“said Ridley.”I can walk and all that now. I take it one day at a time. He also added that he was ‘pretty sure’ he would be ready for training camp, although Bair writes ‘it remains a bit unknown at this point.’ Either way, he there is nothing to panic about.
• In case you missed it, Bears linebacker Roquan smith says he’s not worried about a possible contract extension.