Let's take a quick run through the headlines from around the division.
- Pete Prisco writes that too much is being made about the fact that Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan has failed to win a playoff game. He points out that Peyton Manning faced similar criticism earlier in his career. He says Ryan will win in the postseason. I agree. Ryan is a good quarterback and the playoff losses may have had more to do with what’s gone on around Ryan than anything the quarterback has done or hasn’t done. I think, with the hiring of offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, the Falcons are doing everything they can to take advantage of the things Ryan does well. But the bottom line here is, until Ryan does win a playoff game, the fact he hasn’t will continue to be used as a knock against him.
- New Orleans defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has his players focused on coming up with more interceptions. That’s a great idea because the Saints had only nine interceptions last season.
- New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma said the reason he did not speak to league officials before he was hit with a one-year suspension was because he asked for evidence and wasn’t provided any. Vilma said he didn’t believe he could defend himself without knowing what evidence the league was basing its allegations on in the Saints’ bounty scandal. But Vilma is defending himself now. He’s appealing the suspension and he has filed a defamation lawsuit against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Vilma's latest actions are his way of attempting to force Goodell to show evidence.
- Here’s another story about how new Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano likes to control just about everything involving his team. There are some that are implying that may be a bad thing. Time will tell on that. But what I’ve seen out of Schiano so far has been impressive. I think the Bucs need some order. They lost their final 10 games last season and it became painfully obvious that they were out of control and that former coach Raheem Morris’ relaxed atmosphere wasn’t working.
- New Orleans interim coach Joe Vitt drew some chuckles Thursday when asked about quarterback Drew Brees’ contract situation. Vitt said he’s confident things will get resolved and added “What else is he going to do? He can’t sing or dance." Brees responded to that via Twitter, once again showing his competitive streak, and said that he can sing well. Take that as a sign that, despite the fact, Brees has expressed frustration with the negotiations, he still has good feelings toward Vitt and the team and is still able to laugh.
Pat Yasinskas | email
NFL- ESPN NFC South Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2008
- Began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990
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Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
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