NFC Notes: Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Falcons

• Falcons QB Matt Ryan was impressed with RB Todd Gurley when the two worked out together in California, specifically with the mental side of Gurley’s game: “He’s extremely versatile out of the backfield. He looked great.” (Jason Butt)
• Ryan also foresees Falcons TE Hayden Hurst playing a role as a major mismatch after being acquired via trade this offseason: “He is one of the fastest and athletic tight ends I’ve ever played with.” (Butt)
• The Falcons announced the addition of assistant strength coach Adam Potts, dietician Steven Benjamin and diversity coaching fellow Nick Jones. (Vaughn McClure)
• Over The Cap’s Nick Korte lists Falcons CB Kendall Sheffield as a player helped by the new CBA’s PPE rules and on track to get a raise in his fourth season. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the Falcons coaching staff returned to the team facility Monday. 

Panthers

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the Panthers coaching staff plans to return to the team facility when the players do at the beginning of training camp. 
• Breer believes Panthers pro scout Luke Kuechly could have a similar career as another former Panthers star linebacker, Dan Morgan, who rapidly ascended through the scouting ranks and is now director of player personnel for the Bills. 
• Over The Cap’s Nick Korte lists Panthers OL Dennis Daley and CB Donte Jackson as players who are helped by the new CBA’s PPE rules and are on track to get raises in their fourth season. 

Saints

Saints OL coach Dan Roushar spoke about the situation with offensive linemen Cesar Ruiz and Erik McCoy and where he envisions they will line up for the upcoming season.

“The challenge will be for us is, we do have competition and we do have depth that’s being built as we’ve built the roster,” Roushar said, via Katherine Terrell of The Athletic. “I think the one thing is without the OTAs, the benefit of that and going through the minicamp as we look at it right now, is, I think it will accelerate the process, and whether we put Cesar strictly at center and make a move with Erik or vice versa, those will be decisions we’ll make. … We see value in Cesar as an interior player. We recognize he was a heck of a center the last couple years at Michigan and we recognize his value in that area, and I think it’s between Sean’s direction and as we see this thing taking shape the ability to make a move with Erik and slide Cesar and/or go the other direction with it. Those things will be determined as we come to camp and attack this thing.”

Roushar also believes that McCoy is an intelligent player who will have no issue moving between the guard and center positions.

• Over The Cap’s Nick Korte lists McCoy as a player helped by the new CBA’s PPE rules and on track to get a raise in his fourth season.