NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Packers, Panthers

Buccaneers

• Jenna Laine mentions that it would not be a shock if the Buccaneers made more moves to their interior offensive line after signing Josh LeRibeus to a contract on Friday. 
• Laine reports that Alex Cappa still isn’t where the Buccaneers would like him to be and Evan Smith is also still recovering from torn labrums in both hips.
• According to Laine, the Buccaneers are “really excited about the progress” second-year RB Ronald Jones made this offseason.
• According to Greg Auman, Buccaneers OL Evan Smith is still rehabbing from double hip surgery he underwent last year.
• Auman mentions Smith, Earl Watford, and Josh LeRibeus as linemen who can “mentor and back up” the guard and center positions.

Packers

Packers LG Lane Taylor believes he could have played better last season and is hoping to show improvement in 2019.  

“Absolutely. I personally don’t feel like I played as good as I should have or could have, really,” said Taylor, via Mike Spofford of the team’s official site. “It is what it is. It’s not like I can go back and change anything. I did everything in my power I could.”

Taylor said he’s now healthy after dealing with an ankle injury last year.

“It was a lot of reps that I missed. This year, it’s a lot of reps I got, especially with the new system. I was really glad I didn’t miss this one. I’ve just been polishing my technique so I’m not starting this process in July or August.”

Panthers

Panthers FB Alex Armah says he plans to show the coaching staff that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to factor into the team’s offense.

“I want to be known as an accountable guy, who when you turn on the tape, you see him doing his job every time,” Armah said, via the Charlotte Observer. “Coaches count on me to do my job, that type of deal. That’s what kind of guy I want to be.”

“You want to see improvement from Year 1 to Year 2, and then Year 2 to Year 3,” Armah added. “That’s how you increase your role in this offense.”