Sunrise in the NFC East: The Division's Top Links on June 15, 2012

These are extra-special Sunrise Links because they're coming to you from my Las Vegas hotel room at 5 a.m. PT. Don't worry, I'm not blogging under the influence—I flew in late last night and will still be with you during regular business hours today. But it's the start of a getaway weekend on this end, too.

I say "too" because the 360-odd players on NFC East rosters kick off their summer vacations today, so I'm guessing there's a chance I run into a few of them in Sin City this weekend. And if I do, I'll be sure to provide you with the Perez Hilton-style scoop on their Vegas shenanigans.

But for now, you'll just have to enjoy these fine links from my peers in Dallas, New York, Philly and D.C.

Dallas Cowboys

DeMarcus Ware says the new corners will make the Dallas defense more aggressive, via DallasCowboys.com: "At the end of the day we've got a lot of confidence in the guys in the back to play man-to-man, to play whatever zone coverage, whatever they're doing, and letting the guys up front get to the quarterback." So I suppose he's saying that wasn't the case last year?

The Dallas Morning News reports that Sean Lee is emerging as a vocal leader on the Cowboys defense. That could be big because some argue that they've lacked that kind of leadership in recent years.

New York Giants

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes that Tom Coughlin knows what a lack of smarts can do following a Super Bowl season (remember Plaxico?), which is probably why staying smart during this period of freedom was what he preached most aggressively as he spoke to his guys for the final time Thursday.

They lost Brandon Jacobs, Mario Manningham, Aaron Ross and Jake Ballard, but keeping the defensive front together was enough for ESPNNewYork's Johnette Howard to give the Giants an A+ offseason.

Philadelphia Eagles

Les Bowen writes that optimism coming out of the end of Eagles camp is extremely high. I feel like I've seen this movie before.

John Smallwood knows he has. The Philadelphia Daily News columnist asks if the Eagles will actually deliver this year or if they're just talking a big game again.

Washington Redskins

Another report (this one from ESPN 980's Chris Russell) on undrafted rookie cornerback Chase Minnifield shining in practice. There are Chase Minnifields in most camps, though, so it would be smart to temper your enthusiasm still.

Leonard Hankerson's hip should be good to go for training camp. And even if it's not, at least Santana Moss is "possessed."