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Atlanta Falcons

General manager Thomas Dimitroff tells D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the Falcons are not in a rush to get a contract together for quarterback Matt Ryan because, "We all know that Matt is going to be here for a long time."

For those who are interested in the Falcons' new stadium, the Atlanta Business Chronicle presents two slideshows that illustrate the proposed designs, as well as an illustration of how the stadium could spur more development.

Carolina Panthers

Can Panthers quarterback Cam Newton continue to evolve into a marketing star? ESPN.com's Kristi Dosh examines where Newton stands and what it will take to cash in on more endorsements.

"Regardless of what type of season (Jon Beason) has, the Panthers should cut him at the end of the season. He won’t help them, so they shouldn’t help him," writes Brett Jensen of CBS Charlotte.

New Orleans Saints

Defensive tackle Tom Johnson tells the Sun Herald he's primed for a new position in the Saints' new defense, and he's ready for his role to expand.

Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt was one of many current and past Saints coaches and players who took part in the Black & Gold Classic on Friday, the Times-Picayune reports. "I came to support the cause and these great players," Vitt said of the event, which benefits the Green Beret and Navy Seal Foundation.

Cameron Jordan is ready to take on new coordinator Rob Ryan’s 3-4 defense, a change from last season’s 4-3 alignment under Steve Spagnuolo that led to historically infamous results.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Is Josh Freeman feeling the pressure to win in 2013? If he's not, the Tampa Tribune's Ira Kaufman writes the veteran quarterback should be.

Rookie quarterback Mike Glennon talks about his goals for his first season with the Buccaneers.

Shelton Quarles, Jon Gruden, Josh Freeman and Doug Martin were just a few of the participants in a Celebrity Waiter Night to benefit Quarles' IMPACT Foundation.

We had all sorts of great questions in Friday's NFC South chat. Here's a team-by-team look at some of the highlights:

ATLANTA FALCONS

eric (arcata, ca) [via mobile]: the last time the falcons dropped 100 mill on a qb it didnt turn out as well. do you think this time is different with matty ice and do you think he deserves it? thanks pat and happy Friday.

Pat Yasinskas: Yes, I think he deserves it. He's produced five straight winning seasons and I don't think there are any off-field concerns with Ryan.

Sean (Vegas): Which rookie in the NFCS is going to have the biggest impact?

PY: I'll say Desmond Trufant. Think he starts right away and opposing offenses will challenge him right away.

Nathan (Mayer): Pat, if Matt Ryan doesn't have an extension does he hold out?

PY: I seriously think something will get done before camp.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Rick (Charlotte,NC): Is it time to start giving David Gettleman a little credit for what he has managed to do with the Panthers given the situation he had going in?

PY: Yes, he's making the most out of it. And I think the DeAngelo restructure was bigger than people realize. They freed up cap room in 2014 and '15, which is hugely important because they already were way over where the '14 cap is going to be.

Hank (Charlotte, NC): What do you see Gettleman doing with the money D-Will's restructure freed up?

PY: I wouldn't get your hopes up too high. Might make a mid-level move or two. But I think he's just setting up as much carry-over money as possible for next year's cap.

Prashanth (San Jose): Pat, I liked your piece on the Panthers OC Shula where you mentioned that he should be better at this role than he has been in the past, due to better talent he has at his disposal. But I am still concerned that conservatism is a deep instinctual behavior and this may well affect the Panthers offensive production this year. What do you think?

PY: Give Shula a chance. Think you might be pleasantly surprised. He had nothing to work with in his Tampa days. Plus, some of the conservative nature (maybe most of it) was due to Dungy. Shula and Rivera are coaching for their jobs. I think they'll play to their strengths.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Scott (CJS): Why do you think Sedrick Ellis is out of a job? From what I remember, he was solid for the Saints.

PY: Wouldn't say he was solid. I'd say he was an underachieving former first-round pick.

Brian( Kenner LA ) [via mobile]: Hey Pat. Just a quick statement. I don't think the Saints D is as bad as the stats say. Everyone, even you, thought it was a middle of the pack D last year and with the additions of Bunkley and Lofton they were better. So when you throw in a new coach and all the bounty stuff. I feel like they were set up for failure. With the additions this year and some normalcy, I see a bounce back. At least to the middle of the pack. Which is all they need. Thoughts??

PY: If they can get to anywhere near the middle of the pack on defense, Saints will be in great shape.

Paul (Knoxville): Any chance the Saints are setting up to release Harper, sign a veteran S (Woodson?) to replace Harper, and start Vaccaro..then upgrade the pass rush?

PY: Half of Harper's base salary is guaranteed. They'd take a cap hit if they cut him.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Nicolas (Parkland, FL): Is there a good chance that Mike Glennon starts at QB over Freeman in the first regular season game?

PY: Let's not get carried away. Freeman's going to camp as the starter and I expect him to open the season in that role. If he starts off poorly ...well, then things could change.

Darin (Louisville, Ky): Hey Pat with a healthy Bowers and Clayborn, and the addition of Gholston and Spence... How u think the pass rush will compare to that of last year?

PY: Remains to be seen. But I think it's pretty clear the Bucs have very big expectations for Bowers. We'll see if he can deliver. The potential is there.

BMand (Sarasota, FL): When is Revis expected to be able to fully participate in practice?

PY: Dominik has said he's confident Revis will be ready for start of training camp.

Here’s the complete transcript of Friday’s NFC South chat.

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at key players for each NFC South team who are coming back from injuries:

Atlanta Falcons: Bradie Ewing was ticketed for the starting fullback job as a rookie last season. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, and the Falcons were forced to juggle fullbacks. That’s one reason why the running game never really got on track last season. The Falcons want a more consistent running game this season, so they brought in running back Steven Jackson to replace Michael Turner. But Ewing is a key component to the running game. If he’s back at full strength, he’s going to get a lot of work as Jackson’s lead blocker.

Carolina Panthers: Linebacker Jon Beason has had three surgeries in the past 17 months, and has played in only five games over the past two seasons. But Beason is only 28, so it’s possible he can get back to being an impact player and a leader of the defense. However, Beason is going to have to do that while switching positions. Luke Kuechly is firmly established at Beason’s old middle linebacker position. Beason will move to the outside. If Beason is healthy, he, Kuechly and Thomas Davis have a chance to become one of the league’s best linebacking corps.

New Orleans Saints: Linebacker Jonathan Vilma was slowed by knee problems the past two seasons. But Vilma has said the knee issues are a thing of the past, and he feels better than he has in several years. If that turns out to be true, that could be a huge boost for a defense that ranked No. 32 in the league last season. But Vilma, 31, is going to have to make some adjustments to his game as the Saints switch to a 3-4 defense. It’s a scheme Vilma did not thrive in when he was with the New York Jets early in his career.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay’s vision of having the league’s best guard tandem went out the window when guard Davin Joseph suffered a season-ending knee injury last preseason. But the vision is back with Joseph set to make his return. If Joseph and Carl Nicks, who missed the final nine games of last season with a toe injury, can get back to full strength, Tampa Bay should be dominant in the middle of the offensive line. It’s scary to think what running back Doug Martin can do with a pair of Pro Bowl guards in front of him.

Let's take or morning run (or bike ride) through some news and notes from around the NFC South:

ATLANTA FALCONS

General manager Thomas Dimitroff is taking part in National Bike To Work Day. I don’t think we’ll see any roster moves out of the Falcons this morning.

Quarterback Matt Ryan turns 28 today. That’s a prime age to become one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks. The Falcons have stayed quiet about where negotiations are for an extension, but I suspect a deal will get done before training camp.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Linebacker Chase Blackburn figures to be a backup and special-teams player. But he’d be a starter if the Panthers were fielding a baseball team. Blackburn hit three home runs as members of the Panthers, including coach Ron Rivera, took batting practice before a Charlotte Knights game.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Saints have signed defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui. He’s spent time with the Dolphins and Jets, and will compete for a roster spot behind Brodrick Bunkley and John Jenkins.

Quarterback Luke McCown, who was cut by the Saints in the preseason last year, said he’s more optimistic about his chances of making the roster this year. He should be. Chase Daniel had a firm grip on the backup job last year. With Daniel leaving via free agency this year, the backup job is wide open. McCown and Seneca Wallace will compete for that spot, and McCown might have the early advantage because he knows the offense.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

With David Garrard reportedly retiring, Tampa Bay’s opener against the New York Jets could become even more of an intriguing game, Stephen Holder points out. The game already was matching up Tampa Bay cornerback Darrelle Revis against his former team. With Garrard gone, it means the Bucs could be going against rookie quarterback Geno Smith.

A quick reminder that our weekly NFC South chat will be held Friday at 1 p.m. ET.

We’ll talk about all things Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. Bring your questions and join us.

Here’s your free ticket into the NFC South chat.

The numbers are in on the four draft picks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed.

Cornerback Johnthan Banks, a second-round choice, and quarterback Mike Glennon, a third-round pick still remain unsigned. But here’s a look at the deals that have been given to Tampa Bay’s rookies so far:

• Defensive tackle Akeem Spence, a fourth-round pick, received a four-year deal that’s worth $2,644,424. Spence collected a $484,424 signing bonus.
• Defensive end William Gholston, a fourth-round pick got a four-year deal worth $2,560,544. Gholston’s deal included a $400,544 signing bonus.
• Defensive end/linebacker Steve Means, a fifth-round pick, got a $191,752 signing bonus on a four-year deal that’s worth $2,351,752.
• Running back Mike James, a sixth-round pick, got a $103,152 signing bonus and his four-year deal is worth $2,263,152.

Time for our morning run through the top headlines from around the division:

ATLANTA FALCONS

National Football Post lists running back Steven Jackson as one of its top comeback fantasy players for the upcoming season. Jackson should be an excellent fantasy pick. He’s bound to put up numbers because opposing defenses will be devoting so much attention to Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Scott Fowler writes that the Panthers should use their salary-cap savings from the restructuring of DeAngelo Williams’ contract to upgrade the offensive line and in the defensive backfield. But I’m not sure any big spending spree is coming. The Panthers are $8.46 million under the cap. They still have to sign their rookies and I think general manager Dave Gettleman wants to carry over some of this year’s cap space to help with the 2014 cap.

Speaking of potential depth for the defensive backfield, coach Ron Rivera downplayed the team’s reported interest in veteran Charles Woodson.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Speaking publicly for the first time this offseason, linebacker Jonathan Vilma addressed the team’s switch to the 3-4 defense and said he is comfortable with it. A lot of people remember that Vilma was unhappy in the 3-4 when he played for the New York Jets and that led to his trade to New Orleans. But Vilma said his problem wasn’t the scheme. He said he didn’t think the Jets had the personnel to run the 3-4 properly.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Stephen Holder takes a look at five players with something to prove this offseason. He starts the list with Luke Stocker. The starting tight end job appears to be wide open and Stocker probably will get the first crack at it.

Football Outsiders is doing a league-wide series of posts called "Red Flags," which take a look at the biggest remaining issue facing each team. Today’s Insider post is on the NFC South and I’m break it up into four smaller posts to explore the red flags for each team.

Our next stop is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Football Outsiders pointed to Tampa Bay’s pass rush as its biggest red flag and here’s the crux of the rationale:

“(Previously), we said Tampa Bay's biggest hole was at pass-rusher, and they've since gotten weaker there, not stronger. Michael Bennett, who led Tampa Bay with 9.0 sacks last season (the only Bucs player to crack the top 50 in sacks) signed with Seattle in free agency.’’

That’s a valid concern. But the Bucs felt Bennett already had hit his upside and didn’t want to give him big money. That’s largely because the Bucs invested two high draft picks in Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers.

Clayborn had a strong rookie season, but missed most of last year with an injury. Bowers was limited by injuries in each of his first two seasons.

But Bowers and Clayborn are both healthy now and the Bucs are betting they can provide a formidable pass rush. I think that can come to fruition if Bowers and Clayborn both can stay healthy.

If they can’t, Tampa Bay’s rebuilt secondary is going to have its hands full.

Rookie contracts are getting done and DeAngelo Williams has restructured his contract with the Carolina Panthers.

That means it’s time for an update on where each NFC South team stands in relation to the salary cap.

The Atlanta Falcons are $2.18 million under the salary cap. But they’ll catch a break after June 1 when they get $4.5 million from the Tyson Clabo release. The Falcons also are likely to give quarterback Matt Ryan an extension at some point this offseason and the deal is likely to be structured in a way that will free up some cap space for this year.

After restructuring Williams, Carolina is $8.46 million under the cap. That has some fans thinking that there’s a spending spree coming. But, seriously, who’s out there that really excites you? I wouldn’t rule out a signing or two, but I think general manager Dave Gettleman is more interested in creating carryover money to help with next year’s salary-cap situation.

The New Orleans Saints are $1.6 million under the cap. That number is a little different than what I told you the other day after the Saints had signed all their draft picks and the discrepancy was due to the fact that the NFL Players Association hadn’t updated their numbers to reflect only the top 51 cap figures. Anyway, the Saints don’t have much room to work with. They’ll need more than $1.6 million to eventually sign practice-squad players and keep some money available in case they have injuries and need to sign replacements.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are $19.3 million under the salary cap. They still have three unsigned rookies and are expected to attempt to work a contract extension with wide receiver Mike Williams.

Time for a quick run through some odds and ends from around the division:

ATLANTA FALCONS

Former running back Warrick Dunn is taking his role as a limited partner in the team’s ownership structure seriously. Dunn recently earned an MBA from Emory University.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Defensive backs coach Steve Wilks has comments on the slew of cornerbacks the Panthers are carrying on their roster. It sounds like he’s counting on free-agent pickup Drayton Florence to be a leader at the position.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Drew Brees came in at No. 3 on Sports Illustrated’s list of the 50 highest-paid athletes over the past year. Brees’ status was elevated because he received a $37 million signing bonus when he signed a new contract last summer.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Bucs have only three draft picks left to sign. I wouldn't be surprised if they're done by the end of the week.

Time for an afternoon run through some news and notes from around the division:

ATLANTA FALCONS

Daniel Cox puts Jessie Tuggle at No. 1 on his list of the hardest hitters in franchise history. You can’t even argue that one. But I especially like the fact that running back William Andrews made the list. You don’t often see offensive players on lists of hard hitters. But Andrews was a particularly punishing runner.

Pete Prisco’s list of the top 100 players in the NFL contains five Falcons. It also includes five members of the Buccaneers. There are only three Saints and two Panthers on the list.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff will participate in National Bike To Work Day on Friday.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said he wants to improve the interior pass rush to help defensive ends Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson. The addition of rookies Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short should help in that area. Lotulelei isn’t a natural pass rusher, but he’s going to command some blocking. Short might have the quickness to generate a bit of a pass rush on his own.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Running back Chuck Muncie has passed away at 60. My memories of Muncie come more from his time with the San Diego Chargers, but he was an important part of Saints’ history. Muncie was the first player in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards.

Jeff Duncan takes a look back at Muncie’s star-crossed time in New Orleans.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Charlie Campbell writes that the Washington Redskins had interest in defensive back Ronde Barber, who retired from the Buccaneers last week. The Redskins could have offered Barber a starting position and given him the chance to be reunited with former Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris, who now is Washington’s defensive backs coach. But the Redskins have virtually no salary-cap room and could not even attempt an offer that would have been lucrative enough to lure Barber.

Roy Cummings writes that, although fifth-round pick Steve Means played outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in college, the Bucs plan to use Means as a defensive end. Means might have to bulk up some from the 250 pounds he’s listed at, but he could fill a role as a situational pass rusher.

Defensive end William Gholston, a fourth-round pick, has been signed to a contract. That leaves the Bucs with only three unsigned rookies.

We conclude our series on the NFC South’s weakest links with a look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their situation at tight end.

At the moment, the tight ends on Tampa Bay’s roster are Nate Byham, Tom Crabtree, Evan Landi, Zach Miller, Danny Noble and Luke Stocker. If that list doesn’t impress you, you’re not alone.

Last year’s top pass-catching tight end, Dallas Clark, remains a free agent and it’s unclear if the Bucs have any interest in bringing him back. Aside from Clark, there isn’t much in the way of tight ends in free agency.

Although it might not excite anyone, I think there’s a chance the Bucs might stick with what they have at tight end. The team still has hope that Stocker can develop into a solid all-around tight end.

There’s also a belief in the front office and on the coaching staff that Crabtree can be a more productive pass-catcher if he is given more opportunities than he had in his Green Bay days.

The Bucs have no flash at tight end. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There is a clear pecking order in Tampa Bay’s passing game. Starting receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams, whoever ends up as the third receiver and running back Doug Martin are going to catch the bulk of the passes.

The tight ends are going to be used as blockers and, occasionally, as safety valves in the passing game.

Let's take a morning jog through the headlines from around the NFC South:

ATLANTA FALCONS

The team signed cornerback Saeed Lee, who made a good impression in the recent rookie camp. The Falcons also signed former Alabama kicker Jeremy Shelley.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Linebacker Jon Beason, who had three surgeries in a 17-month span, isn’t expected to be cleared to take part in next month’s minicamp. But Beason said his recovery plan remains on target and indicated he expects to be ready for training camp. Beason will be switching to outside linebacker because Luke Kuechly has taken over in the middle.

The Panthers have signed eight players that tried out during the rookie minicamp.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Mike Triplett has an in-depth look at how the Saints scouted first-round draft pick Kenny Vaccaro. They had at least seven detailed scouting reports on Vaccaro and spent hundreds of hours scouting and discussing him. But that’s exactly what you should do when you’re investing a first-round pick and millions of dollars in someone.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Although the Bucs have made a lot of moves that look like clear improvements, Gary Shelton writes about how the team isn’t viewed as a playoff contender on a national level. That’s not all that surprising because the Bucs haven’t been to the playoffs in a long time and it’s only natural that people overlook them. And being overlooked in May isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It might allow the Bucs to surprise some people.

The New Orleans Saints no longer are the only NFC South team with signed draft picks.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got into the mix Monday by signing two of their picks.

Defensive end Steven Means, a fifth-round pick, and Mike James, a sixth-round choice, signed contracts, the team announced. The Bucs still have four unsigned draft picks.

Lots of odds and ends around the division on this Monday. Let's take a look:

ATLANTA FALCONS

Marc Sessler ranks the Falcons and Saints as the fifth-best rivalry in the NFL. I think you could rank it a little higher. With both teams being good in recent years, this rivalry has escalated. The teams don’t like each other and neither do their fans. That makes for great entertainment.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Panthers released defensive end Thomas Keiser. He had a productive season in 2011, but was limited by injuries last season and the emergence of Greg Hardy made him expendable.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The team signed six players after they made favorable impressions in the rookie minicamp.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Jeffri Chadiha writes that Ronde Barber, who retired last week, was the most underrated defensive player of his time. There are a lot of mixed opinions on whether Barber eventually belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Count Chadiha as one who believes Barber deserves a spot in Canton.

Speaking of Barber and the Hall of Fame, here’s a numeric look at how his career compared to some other prominent defensive backs.

Part of the reason the Bucs drafted defensive end William Gholston is his versatility. Gholston likely has a shot at a spot in the rotation with starters Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers. But he also could line up on the inside at times.