NFC South News and Rumors

Panthers’ offense not necessarily Shula’s offense

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

The Panthers launch their Organized Team Activities this week, the first official practice with Mike Shula in charge of the offense. But coach Ron Rivera says it won’t be Shula’s offense, per se. “It’s not necessarily his offense as much as the Pa…

ESPN.com

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 th…

CNNSI.com

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season on Friday after the league announced he violated the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

There were reports Thursday that safety Kemal Ishmael had signed his rookie deal with the Falcons and the team confirmed them by announcing Ishmael’s signing on Friday. They added three more signings to the pot for good measure. The Falcons announced th…

ESPN.com

Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) will be a part of the cost of the Atlanta Falcons’ proposed stadium, but the cost to fans won’t be as high as it was at some other recently opened stadiums. That was the message from team president Rich McKay on Thursday …

Former agent indicted for fraud

May 17 (yesterday)

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

To maximize its effectiveness, life insurance proceeds must make their way to the intended beneficiaries. In the case of the late Frank Warren, a former NFL player who spent 13 seasons with the Saints, that didn’t happen. Former NFL agent Benjamin Gelle…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Last year was anything but normal for the Saints. The bounty investigation dominated their offseason and suspensions to coach Sean Payton, assistant head coach Joe Vitt and General Manager Mickey Loomis robbed the team of big parts of their brain trust …

ESPN.com

With the release of right tackle Tyson Clabo and the retirement of center Todd McClure, the Atlanta Falcons have a lot of uncertainty on their offensive line. Coach Mike Smith didn’t set forth any concrete plan Thursday night at the team’s State of th…

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

There are two kinds of backup quarterbacks. Those who accept their position and conduct themselves accordingly, and those who refuse to adopt the mindset of a second-string player. Put Buccaneers rookie Mike Glennon in the latter category. “I just want …

ESPN.com

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 Falc…

ESPN.com

Without locking into any time frame, Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said he’s confident a contract extension will be worked out with quarterback Matt Ryan. Dimitroff was asked by a fan for a status update during Thursday night’s Stat…

ESPN.com

When he meets with the media, Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith almost always comes across as polite and not very emotional. But he’s a football coach and you get the sense there’s a lot more inside of him. A glimpse of what a Smith pep talk to his tea…

Josh Alper, profootballtalk.com

Back in March, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that the Lions plan to use running back Reggie Bush in a similar role to the one he played for the Saints during the first five years of his career. It’s little surprise, then, that Bush appeared on the NFL N…

Around the NFC South

May 17 (yesterday)

ESPN.com

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 t…

Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com

The New York Giants made a change at the tight end position on Thursday. The Giants signed former Kentucky quarterback-turned-tight end Morgan Newton after having him in for a tryout during the team’s rookie mini-camp last week. Newton replaces former A…

Curtis Crabtree, profootballtalk.com

Just two days after losing Melvin Ingram to a torn ACL, the San Diego Chargers have made a move to bring in additional depth at the linebacker position. The Chargers announced Thursday they have signed former Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Keiser. …

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

Last year’s Saints bounty scandal nearly made everyone forget about the team’s 2010 Vicodin scandal. And it definitely made everyone forget about a scandal from 2009 regarding movie tax credits that didn’t exist. According to the Associated Press, c…

Chiefs fill out front office

May 16 (3 days ago)

Mike Florio, profootballtalk.com

The Kansas City Chiefs have a new coach and a new G.M. With the draft come and gone, they also have a bunch of new front-office employees. On Thursday, the team announced that former Saints V.P. of football operations Will Lewis will serve as the direct…

ESPN.com

I had to look long and hard, but I found a positive statistic about a member of the New Orleans Saints’ defense. Cornerback Keenan Lewis led the NFL with 17 pass breakups (passes that were batted, tipped or defensed) in the 2012 season, according to ESP…

Cowboys signing Anthony Hargrove

May 16 (3 days ago)

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

Many thought that former Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove’s career was over after missing last season. Perhaps even Hargrove. But according to Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com, the Cowboys are signing Hargove, after working him out three times …

Doug Farrar, yahoo.com

One year ago, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll went all-in on third-round quarterback Russell Wilson, saying that the former North Carolina State signal-caller (by way of Wisconsin) would get a huge number of reps in the preseason. He certainly …

ESPN.com

We haven’t heard much about Cam Newton lately. Since early last season, it seems Newton has been overshadowed by a bunch of young quarterbacks. Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III started winning and took a lot of attent…

ESPN.com

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 give…

ESPN.com

The Carolina Panthers don’t have the world’s best secondary. That means it’s only logical to link them to the only defensive back with a big name that is currently available. Charles Woodson is out there and Carolina fans are clamoring for him. Ther…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

It’s apparently open season on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, inexplicably, was the latest to pile on, suggesting (we think) he did not care for the former Southern Cal quarterback. “I wouldn’t let Mark Sanchez th…

Darin Gantt, profootballtalk.com

He’s been hurt for the last two years, was caught in the middle of the league’s bounty investigation and had to take a nearly $5 million pay cut to stay. But no one sounds happier to be with the Saints right now than linebacker Jonathan Vilma. “Hey,…

CNNSI.com

Charles Woodson met with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday, then left town without a contract.