NFC Notes: Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Falcons

• The Falcons hosted free agent P Drew Kaser, P Cameron Nizialek, P Austin Rehkow, and LS Harrison Elliott. (Aaron Wilson)

Panthers

• Joe Person of The Athletic notes that Panthers’ fifth-round S Kenny Robinson has been “overshadowed” by second-round S Jeremy Chinn throughout training camp. 
• According to Person, Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater spent time throwing to TE Chris Manhertz after Wednesday’s practice. Bridgewater said he told Manhertz to view himself as a receiving tight end: “Man, pretend you’re on a basketball court.’ Once I found out that he was a basketball player, my eyes just lit up. Because when you’re a basketball player, you think about a guy who will go up and rebound. I just told Chris I just want to try to continue to add a little more to his game.”
• Panthers HC Matt Rhule said LB Shaq Thompson is dealing with a lingering groin injury and missed Friday’s practice.

Saints

Saints QB Taysom Hill called this offseason a unique experience given the lack of preseason games. According to Hill, he’s treating practice as if he’s in a “game situation.”

“Right now is kind of a special time for me, where I can hone in, really learn from Drew on the field, really learn from the coaches, be coached hard. And it is a really fun time for me to do that,” Hill said, via Mike Triplett of ESPN. “It’s a little disappointing not having preseason games for a guy like me, because it really is an opportunity to make sure that I’m getting live, game-time reps. But I think for now, the focus is on treating every practice rep I get like it’s a game situation.”

Saints HC Sean Payton said Hill has a “good grasp” of their offensive system now in his fourth year with the team. 

“[Hill has] a real good grasp as to what we’re doing offensively,” said Payton. 

Hill said he’s been focused on quickly reading defenses this offseason. 

“Making sure that I go through my reads quickly. I would say the more comfortable I get inside the offense, the better I have played,” said Hill

Regarding his progress as a quarterback, Hill pointed out how Drew Brees quickly assesses defenses when at the line of scrimmage and that he’s trying to replicate Brees’ “decision-making.” 

“When I study Drew, [I see] his ability to get a playcall, get up to the line of scrimmage, recognize what the defense is trying to do and then assess where and how we’re going to attack that defense with the play that we have called. So for me it’s making sure I speed that process up, making sure I’m not late with my decision-making, my throws,” Hill said. “And then as a quarterback, I don’t think you can ever stop working on accuracy, your footwork, getting through your progression. So my main focus has really been the mental side of everything and trying to expedite that process.”