NFC Notes: Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Falcons

• The Athletic’s Tori McElhaney thinks that while Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson has some obvious application on special teams and as a gadget player, he could have a more traditional role as well. 
• McElhaney points out the Falcons drafted third-round OL Jalen Mayfield with the idea that he could push for playing time at guard but injuries to Matt Gono and Kaleb McGary have allowed him to take reps at right tackle, his college position, and he’s looked comfortable there. 
• The early favorite for left guard, according to McElhaney, is free-agent signing Josh Andrews. 
• McElhaney mentions the Falcons have enough cap space after trading WR Julio Jones to go out and sign another outside linebacker to bolster that group. 

Panthers

Former Panthers’ quarterbacks Rodney Peete and Steve Beuerlein are hoping to see QB Sam Darnold flourish now that he is away from New York City.

“The fans at Carolina are passionate and they love football,” Peete said, via David Newton of ESPN. “But it’s not the nastiness of a Philadelphia or New York, where it can get extremely personal. So that’s going to be a relief for him. There’s still going to be pressure. But the Southern hospitality, people are just more welcoming and understanding and polite than what he’s used to. People likely aren’t going to walk by and say ‘you suck’ like in New York. I’m confident saying he won’t be in a situation where he is down by 25 at halftime and has to throw the ball 40 times, as he often was with the Jets.”

“This could end up being the best thing to ever happen to Sam,’‘ Beuerlein said. “He gets a chance to rejuvenate his career in a city that is as welcoming as any in the country.”

Darnold himself says that North Carolina reminds him of being back home in San Clemente, California.

“Honestly, it reminds me of home,” Darnold said. “Where I live, there’s kind of a small-town feel, which I like. It’s nice to be able to walk around. 

Saints

Former Saints CB Janoris Jenkins spoke highly of his time in New Orleans, saying that it was “hands down” his best experience with an NFL team. 

“Hands down,” Jenkins said on the “Raw Room” show, via SaintsWire.com. “Because they understand football, and they understand players. They don’t look to kill their guys, beat their guys down, have their guys prove a point, like around camp time. Now they work, don’t get me wrong. They know how to take care of their players.”

“They’re gonna show you respect, from the top to the training staff,” Jenkins added.