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Earlier, we gave you the rundown on what picks each NFC South team currently holds heading into the last day of the draft.

Let’s also take a quick look at what players are still available. Mel Kiper Jr. has this Insider list of the best players remaining and it has some names that many expected to be off the board long ago.

Mississippi tackle Bobby Massie and Miami running back Lamar Miller are easily the two biggest surprises on the list and people are starting to wonder if they have medical or other issues. I’m also shocked Oklahoma linebacker/defensive back Ronnell Lewis and Florida State offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders still are available.

Saturday’s portion of the draft starts at noon ET and it’s going to move very rapidly. If you’re able to, join us in Countdown Live, the interactive chat in which you can talk with the eight divisional bloggers, Scouts Inc.’s Matt Williamson, Football Scientist KC Joyner and others.

I’m not even going to try to give you instant analysis on every one of Saturday’s NFC South picks on the blog. That’s what our Insider Draft Tracker is for. I’ll weigh in on picks of note and maybe provide a quick summary of each round or every couple of rounds.

But my main assignment Saturday is to write a division-wide draft wrap-up and I’ll be working on that through much of the day. That should post on this blog soon after the draft ends.

The NFL draft doesn’t resume until 7 p.m. ET, but the chatter already is starting to pick up. No, I haven’t heard any real strong rumors about NFC South teams looking to make trades in the second round, but that’s possible as the night goes on.

Meanwhile, we’ll start cranking back up with a few programming notes.

I’ll be joining Bill Rosinksi and Darin Gantt on ESPN 730 (AM) in Charlotte right about 5 p.m. ET.

If you joined us on Countdown Live on Thursday night, I’ll invite you to join us again. If you didn’t, you might want to take advantage of this interactive chat. If ever an event was made for a live chat, it’s the draft. Readers can join all eight NFL bloggers, Football Scientist KC Joyner, Scouts Inc.’s Matt Williamson and others. I was astounded by how many people took part Thursday night and wouldn’t be surprised if we get even more NFC South fans involved now that the Falcons and Saints will be joining the draft.

I’ll spend a good chunk of the night on Countdown Live, but I will have to duck out from time to time to write blog items and a column on whatever turns out to be the most intriguing happening of the night.

Also, I encourage you to check out our Insider Draft Tracker. It has detailed analysis on every pick and also includes video.

This should be one of the more entertaining days of the offseason.

The NFL draft starts Thursday night and here’s the game plan. I plan to head out to One Buccaneer Place in the early evening to get settled in.

You’ll be able to chat with the eight division bloggers and others in Countdown Live, starting at 7 p.m. ET. The draft starts an hour later.

I’ll be with you steadily until Tampa Bay makes its pick at No. 5 overall. I then will provide a quick analysis of the pick on the NFC South blog. Soon after that, there will be media access to coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik and a conference call with whichever player the Bucs take.

The Carolina Panthers will be making their pick at No. 9 and I’ll provide a similar quick analysis on what they do. Then, I’ll get to work on a more in-depth column on whatever turns out to be the NFC South highlight of the night.

We’ll do it all over again Friday night, complete with another edition of Countdown Live. On Saturday, the draft resumes at noon and we’ll weigh in with quick analysis in the final rounds and also will have a draft wrap-up, soon after everything ends.

We will not have our usual NFC South chat Friday afternoon because we’ll have plenty of time to chat in Countdown Live on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

And I’ll be around all day Thursday. I’ll hit you with some stuff to help you get ready for the draft and will weigh in on any news that breaks throughout the day.

During the Countdown Live chat throughout Saturday’s playoff game between New Orleans and San Francisco, many of you were wondering why the hit on Saints running back Pierre Thomas by 49ers defensive back Donte Whitner didn’t result in a penalty.

It was clearly a helmet-to-helmet hit. The play came deep in San Francisco territory in the first quarter. Thomas fumbled the ball as soon as he was hit and the 49ers recovered.

Thomas left the game immediately. He was taken to the locker room, presumably to be evaluated for a concussion. The Saints never gave an official report on his condition, but Thomas never returned to the game.

But here’s a story that gives a detailed description of why Whitner’s hit was legal.

The bottom line why it was considered legal is because Thomas did not fall into the category of a “defenseless player." Once Thomas possessed the ball, he turned and made a “football move’’ before he was hit.

Once Thomas made the move, he no longer was considered defenseless.

We’ve got a potential classic going on between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.

Once again, we’re seeing why you never can count the Saints out. They turned the ball over three times in the first quarter and fell behind 17-0. San Francisco was firmly in control and it was looking like the game could be over before halftime.

But no game is over when Drew Brees is involved. He rallied the Saints to two touchdowns and San Francisco leads 17-14 at the half. The Saints intercepted Brees again at the end of the second half or else the Saints might have had a chance to go into halftime with a lead.

Whatever momentum San Francisco had — and there was quite a bit — is gone. New Orleans’ defense isn’t playing too badly. Brees and the offense have put the Saints back into this game.

This one could end up going either way. Enjoy the second half and feel free to join us in the Countdown Live chat. I’ll be back after the game.

TAMPA, Fla. – Contrary to my previous post, I’m not up in the air and on the way to San Francisco as anticipated.

My flight was delayed and I would have missed the connection to San Francisco and no other flights going west were available Thursday night. Friday’s options to get out there were very limited and I’ve been dealing with a sinus condition that’s made flying difficult. After consulting with my boss, the decision was made to save my sinuses from an accelerated cross-country flight.

I’ll cover Saturday’s playoff game between the 49ers and Saints from home. It will be business as usual. I’ll get you inactives before the game and will take part in the Countdown Live chat throughout the game. After the game, I’ll wrap it up from a Saintsperspective. NFC West colleague Mike Sando will be in San Francisco and we’ll be conversing back and forth.

Friday will be a pretty regular day. We’ll get you any last-minute injury reports. We’ll also do the weekly NFC South chat, but the time on that has been changed to 4 p.m. ET. We had made that schedule change when it looked like I was headed to San Francisco.

As we get ready for Saturday’s playoff game between the Saints and 49ers, let’s take a look at some programming notes for the days ahead.

I just talked to chat traffic control up in Bristol and we’re going to make a slight switch in Friday’s NFC South chat. This week, it will be held at 4 p.m. ET to help accommodate my travel schedule.

We also will have our Final Word segment on the game Friday afternoon and I’ll have my main preview column on the game Thursday.

On Saturday, NFC West colleague Mike Sando and I will be part of the Countdown Live chat that will take part throughout the game. Please join us if you can. Sando and I will have all the usual game-day coverage on Saturday.

In the meantime, we’ll have more preview stuff on the Saints and 49ers. I’ll also be keeping my eye on Tampa Bay’s search for a head coach. The Bucs are scheduled to interview Houston defensive coordinator Wade Phillips on Friday. It sounds like Phillips is the last of the first round of interviews. But you never know, the Bucs could be waiting to speak to another coach still involved in the postseason.

I’ll also be keeping an eye on Atlanta’s search for offensive and defensive coordinators and Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who is expected to interview for the job as head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- It’s a relatively gorgeous day here at MetLife Stadium for the playoff game between the Falcons and Giants.

It’s sunny and the temperature has to be in the 40s already. There’s a bit of wind. But, when you consider this is January and I was bracing myself for the worst, this feels like Miami. If the Falcons lose this one, the weather can't be an excuse.

I’m set up in the press box. The Falcons' buses arrived as I was going through the security line and a couple of players already are out jogging. Some of the Giants also are on the field.

I’ll be back with the inactives about 90 minutes before kickoff and will weigh in with any other pregame notes. We’ll also be doing the Countdown Live chat throughout the game.

New Orleans fans, I’ll try to do a post before the game in which I share some interesting numbers on the Saints’ victory last night.

NEWARK, N.J. -- I’m not quite in New York, but I can see it across the river.

Anyway, lots to deal with before we get ready for Sunday’s playoff game between the Falcons and Giants. Most importantly, we’ll have Saturday night’s game between the Saints and Lions.

I’ll be taking part in the Countdown Live chat throughout the game. I’ll be joining colleagues Kevin Seifert and Jeff Chadiha, who will be at the game, along with Scouts Inc.’s Matt Williamson and ESPN Stats & Information. I’ll also provide a wrap-up soon after the game ends.

Also, a couple of other NFC South notes to catch up on. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its list of 15 finalists from the modern era for the Class of 2012 and we have four guys with NFC South ties. The main one is former New Orleans offensive tackle Willie Roaf. The others are Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene and Tim Brown, who each had brief stops in the NFC South. The final voting will be held the day before the Super Bowl in February.

Also, the Falcons have granted permission for offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey to interview with the Miami Dolphins for their opening for a head coach. The Falcons previously gave Jacksonville permission to interview Mularkey. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have a vacancy and it wouldn’t be a shock if Mularkey becomes a candidate for that job.

Join our ESPN.com NFL experts for the playoff showdown between the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints.

Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 8 p.m. ET. See you there.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Time to get ready for one of the biggest 24-hour periods in NFC South history.

I’m about to fly to New Jersey, where I’ll be covering Sunday’s playoff game between the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants. But, before we even get to that game, we’ve got another NFC South playoff contest.

The New Orleans Saints host the Detroit Lions on Saturday night. Colleagues Kevin Seifert and Jeff Chadiha will be at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. I’ll be watching the game from my hotel room and providing a wrap-up as soon as it’s over. I’ll also jump into our Countdown Live chat during the game between the Saints and Lions.

On Sunday morning, I’ll join NFC East colleague Dan Graziano and Sal Paolantonio from our television side out at MetLife Stadium. I’ll get you the inactives about 90 minutes before kickoff and also will keep you up to date on any pregame news or notes.

Once the game starts, Graziano and I will be jumping into the Countdown Live chat along with Matt Williamson from Scouts Inc., ESPN Stats & Information and the folks from ESPNNew York.com.

This weekend will be one of the busiest ever in the history of the NFC South.

The Atlanta Falcons will be playing a playoff game with the New York Giants. The New Orleans Saints will be hosting a playoff game with the Detroit Lions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a new head coach and Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey are candidates for jobs as head coaches elsewhere.

We’ve got all that, and probably even more going on, so let’s take a look at some programming notes for the next few days. The weekly NFC South chat will be held Friday at 1 p.m. ET and, obviously, we have plenty to talk about.

Since it’s not physically possible for me to attend the games in New Orleans and New York (technically, New Jersey), the bosses in Bristol have come up with a zone coverage plan for the weekend.

I’ll leave Saturday for New Jersey and will cover the Falcons and Giants in person on Sunday. But I’ll be set up to watch the Saints on Saturday night. Colleagues Jeff Chadiha and Kevin Seifert will be in New Orleans and I’ll join them on our Countdown Live chat. I’ll also write a wrap-up on the Saints as soon as their game is over.

On Sunday, I’ll be out at MetLife Stadium for the Falcons and Giants. We’ll also have a Countdown Live chat during that game.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – I’m set up at Bank of America Stadium, where I’ll be covering Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

There are a few players out on the field loosening up, but I haven’t seen any signs of Carolina left tackle Jordan Gross yet. Gross is questionable with an ankle injury and is expected to try to run at some point this morning. After he does, the Panthers will make a decision on if he plays.

I’ll let you know as soon as we get word on Gross and I’ll get you inactives about 90 minutes before kickoff.

Also, a reminder that we’ll be doing Countdown Live, a live chat throughout the game.

I’m about to begin the trip up to Charlotte, where I’ll be covering Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

Keep an eye on our main NFL page for any breaking news while I’m traveling. If there is anything of significance, I’ll weigh in on it once I get settled in Charlotte.

Otherwise, check back Sunday morning. I’ll have inactives on the Falcons and Panthers straight from Bank of America Stadium. I’ll also have the pipeline working down to Jacksonville and will let you know as soon as we know whether Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman will be playing. I’ll be watching the Bucs and Jaguars and Saints and Titans on television and providing wrap-ups after those games end.

But my main assignment will be the Falcons and Panthers. This will be the Countdown Live game from the early contests. For those not familiar with Countdown Live, it’s a live chat throughout the game. I’ll be joined by Scouts Inc.’s Matt Williamson and ESPN Stats & Information and we’ll take questions from you throughout the game. Just check back before or during the game Sunday and look for the Countdown Live post on the NFC South blog and you’ll be able to jump right into the chat.

Just received what I think is some very big news out of Bristol.

Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers will be a Countdown Live game. That’s where we chat live throughout the game, with help from Scouts Inc.’s Matt Williamson and ESPN Stats & Information.

We don’t get a lot of Countdown Live games in the NFC South. They usually come only when the Saints and Falcons play each other or when there is a Monday night game involving an NFC South team.

But the Panthers and Falcons are the chosen ones this week in the 1 p.m. ET slot. We know the Falcons are very much in the playoff race. After knocking off a juggernaut like Tampa Bay, I guess the Panthers now are on the national radar and, thus, we have Countdown Live.

Check the blog Sunday. You’ll be able to get straight into Countdown Live from there.