Around the NFC South

TallySaint · 08-07-2005, 09:40 AM

Around the NFC South

Aug 7 - Times Picayune

ATLANTA: The Falcons have concerns on the defensive line. Ends Patrick Kerney, Brady Smith, Erik Flowers and Brandon Mitchell have missed time because of injuries, and tackle Chad Lavalais reported to camp in poor condition. . . . Looks like the Falcons will go with rookie Roddy White and second-year man Michael Jenkins as their starting wideouts. White has impressed. Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall compares White to Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald "without all the hype."

CAROLINA: Top draft pick Thomas Davis has started out at strong safety, but he's also getting work at linebacker. The eventual goal is to play Davis, a former Georgia standout, at the team's "joker" position, the first two downs at safety and third down at linebacker. . . . Wide receiver Steve Smith reportedly is catching the ball as well as he did last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury and appears primed for a big season.

TAMPA BAY: The Bucs are having injury problems along the offensive line. Left tackle Derrick Deese is out with foot sprain. Right tackle Kenyatta Walker has missed time with swelling in his knee, and backup tackle Lance Nimmo quit. Rookie guard Dan Buenning missed practice with a calf strain. . . . Kicker Matt Bryant continues to struggle and might lose his job to All-NFL Europe kicker Todd Fance. Bryant missed all three of his field-goal attempts during practice Friday morning.

AROUND THE NFL: Former Saints defensive tackle La'Roi Glover is adjusting to life as a part-timer in Dallas. Glover lost his starting spot when the Cowboys switched to a 3-4 defense this offseason. Coach Bill Parcells plans to start free agent Jason Ferguson at nose tackle and said Glover will see most of his playing time in the nickel defense. . . . The Texans are giving former Saints right tackle Victor Riley a chance to win the starting left tackle spot. Riley is competing with incumbent starter Seth Wand. . . . Dolphins players are raving about new coordinator Scott Linehan's wide-open offense. Asked how often Miami expects to throw downfield, backup quarterback Gus Frerotte said, "A lot. A lot more than you guys are used to. Think back to when Dan (Marino) was in his prime and throwing the ball. That's what this offense does."

AUDIBLES: "Everybody knows Julius is a phenom. We call him the next evolution of man. Some of the things he does, it just doesn't make sense. If I did that, I'd probably tear every ligament I had in my knees and shoulders and probably pop a couple disks out of my spinal cord. Some of the stuff he does is just amazing." -- Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins on teammate Julius Peppers.

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08-07-2005, 09:40 AM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Around the NFC South Around the NFC South Aug 7 - Times Picayune ATLANTA: The Falcons have concerns on the defensive line. Ends Patrick Kerney, Brady Smith, Erik Flowers and Brandon Mitchell have missed time because of injuries, and tackle Chad Lavalais reported to camp in poor condition. . . . Looks like the Falcons will go with rookie Roddy White and second-year man Michael Jenkins as their starting wideouts. White has impressed. Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall compares White to Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald "without all the hype." CAROLINA: Top draft pick Thomas Davis has started out at strong safety, but he's also getting work at linebacker. The eventual goal is to play Davis, a former Georgia standout, at the team's "joker" position, the first two downs at safety and third down at linebacker. . . . Wide receiver Steve Smith reportedly is catching the ball as well as he did last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury and appears primed for a big season. TAMPA BAY: The Bucs are having injury problems along the offensive line. Left tackle Derrick Deese is out with foot sprain. Right tackle Kenyatta Walker has missed time with swelling in his knee, and backup tackle Lance Nimmo quit. Rookie guard Dan Buenning missed practice with a calf strain. . . . Kicker Matt Bryant continues to struggle and might lose his job to All-NFL Europe kicker Todd Fance. Bryant missed all three of his field-goal attempts during practice Friday morning. AROUND THE NFL: Former Saints defensive tackle La'Roi Glover is adjusting to life as a part-timer in Dallas. Glover lost his starting spot when the Cowboys switched to a 3-4 defense this offseason. Coach Bill Parcells plans to start free agent Jason Ferguson at nose tackle and said Glover will see most of his playing time in the nickel defense. . . . The Texans are giving former Saints right tackle Victor Riley a chance to win the starting left tackle spot. Riley is competing with incumbent starter Seth Wand. . . . Dolphins players are raving about new coordinator Scott Linehan's wide-open offense. Asked how often Miami expects to throw downfield, backup quarterback Gus Frerotte said, "A lot. A lot more than you guys are used to. Think back to when Dan (Marino) was in his prime and throwing the ball. That's what this offense does." AUDIBLES: "Everybody knows Julius is a phenom. We call him the next evolution of man. Some of the things he does, it just doesn't make sense. If I did that, I'd probably tear every ligament I had in my knees and shoulders and probably pop a couple disks out of my spinal cord. Some of the stuff he does is just amazing." -- Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins on teammate Julius Peppers. 8)