NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said he never really got the sense that the Buccaneers and WR Chris Godwin were going to be able to get a long-term deal done after talking to both the team and Godwin’s agent, but things are fine between the two sides going forward: “Everybody would like a long term deal but the player’s not sad he’s going to be a free agent next year. The Bucs are ok because they keep their guy.” 
• The Buccaneers are hosting Heather Marini in their Bill Walsh coaching fellowship program. Marini is Brown University’s quarterbacks’ coach and is the first female position coach in Division 1 college football. (Greg Auman)
• Tampa Bay will also host former DL LaRoi Glover, former WR Louis Murphy, former OL Trai Essex and former WR Andrew King as Bill Walsh coaching fellows. (Greg Auman)

Panthers

Panthers DE Brian Burns said QB Sam Darnold has shown a good mentality through their offseason program thus far and expects him to be a “great leader for the offense.” 

“When I met him, he’s a cool dude, down to earth, nice guy,” Burns said, via ProFootballTalk. “Watching him through OTAs, I can tell he has that dog mentality. It takes a little bit — he’s got to get comfortable with the team. He just got there. I can already tell he’s going to be a great addition to the group and a great leader for the offense.”

Saints

• According to Nick Underhill, the Saints made a strong push at re-signing S Marcus Williams but ultimately weren’t able to get a deal done. They’ll try again next offseason. 
• The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell notes Saints third-round CB Paulson Adebo would be even more of a gamble for New Orleans to rely on as the starting No. 2 corner than your typical third-round rookie corner, as Adebo opted out of the 2020 college football season and hasn’t played since 2019. 
• Terrell adds the other options on the roster currently are less than inspiring, with 34-year-old veteran Patrick Robinson, journeyman Ken Crawley and former UDFA Keith Washington the leading candidates as things stand now. 
• A veteran addition at corner like Richard Sherman is a possibility, per Terrell, as the Saints have more than $11 million in cap space currently following the extension for RT Ryan Ramczyk. This was before Sherman’s arrest this week. 
• The Saints’ rookie and injury players will be the first to report to training camp on July 25, veterans on July 27, while training camp will officially open with a non-padded practice on Thursday, July 29. (Jeff Duncan)