NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Lions, Packers

Buccaneers

Buccaneers veteran K Cairo Santos says he’s looking forward to the kicking competition with rookie Matt Gay this summer. 

“Number one, the competition is always against myself,” Santos said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “But having Matt here, he’s a tremendous, powerful kicker and I think he rejuvenates that competitive spirit. For three off-seasons, I was the only guy in Kansas City. Last year, I competed a little bit. I went to many tryouts and it was great to be in those environments to get ready for the season.”

Lions

Lions QB Matthew Stafford says he’s focused on ensuring he has Darrell Bevell’s offensive system down, so he can lead the offense and help his teammates. 

“That’s my biggest challenge at the moment,” Stafford said, via the Detroit Free Press. “Obviously I’m trying to lead this entire team, but at the same time I’ve got a lot of work on my plate to make sure we get everybody in the right spots and make sure we’re producing at a high level on offense.”

Packers

The Packers put an emphasis on flexibility with their additions to their defensive front in free agency and the draft. 

“We move these guys around,” Packers LB coach Mike Smith said via USA Today’s Zach Kruse. “There will be times next year there’s going to be four outside linebackers on the field. It’s what we do.” 

First-round LB Rashan Gary played DE in college and free-agent LB Za’Darius Smith can move inside. Green Bay also signed LB Preston Smith to team up with LB Kyler Fackrell who notched 10.5 sacks last year. 

“I’m really excited about the group we have and the way we’re going to be able to mix guys in there,” Fackrell said, via Mike Spofford of the team’s website. “I think we’re really going to be able to get after the quarterback.”