Falcons
- Adam Beasley of ProFootballNetwork, citing a source within the Falcons, reports that G Josh Andrews has the opportunity to earn the team’s starting left guard role after getting first-team reps in the spring program.
- Beasley notes that Falcons G Matt Gono is “out indefinitely” due to an undisclosed injury, while Andrews faces his biggest competition from third-round G Jalen Mayfield.
Panthers
Panthers’ new TE Dan Arnold said he is ready for a “bigger role” in the NFL and feels he can become a difference-maker in Carolina.
“I’m just ready to take on a bigger role, I guess,” Arnold said, via Darin Gannt of the team’s official site. “Having the opportunity to start becoming a good player and a guy who can make a difference on this team, I’m most excited for that. I feel like I’ve done my time; I’m ready to go out and make plays consistently.”
Panthers OC Joe Brady said they are making it a “point of emphasis” to get their tight ends involved in the offense going forward.
“The tree that I grew up in, the tight ends are the most important position on the field, the matchups that they create, and everything,” Brady said. “It’s been a point of emphasis this offseason, just trying to get those guys going in the passing game. And I think those guys have kind of taken and ran with it.”
Arnold thinks the Panthers are a “young and inexperienced group” but are bound to be a surprise team in 2021.
“We have a lot of young guys on this team who are waiting for their shot to really make a difference,” Arnold said. “When you have a bunch of guys like that, and they all start clicking, that’s when you can become dangerous. Obviously, we’re going to surprise people because they think we’re young and inexperienced and all that, but at the same time, that doesn’t mean anything.”
Saints
Saints’ new TE Nick Vannett said he’s excited to be in HC Sean Payton‘s system and thinks the coach gives tight ends a “legit shot” at plays.
“I’m just excited for being in this system, especially as a tight end,” Vannett said, via the team’s official site. “I think they do a great job of really giving us a legit shot of making plays in this system and I’m just happy to be able to show what I can do and happy to be a part of the Saints.”
Vannett mentioned that he met up with Saints’ fellow TE Adam Trautman and QB Jameis Winston to work out in Los Angeles.
“(Adam Trautman) Traut told me that Jameis Winston was going to come out for a couple of weeks,” Vannett said. “We linked up at UCLA and it was great work. I just really respect Jameis a lot. He’s got that leadership. He’s just very profound and even when we’re just running routes we’re practicing our huddle, we’re practicing the play call and how we’re going to line up. Everything is just practicing like we’re in game mode. I have a whole lot of respect for him and even Taysom (Hill) as well. It’s just two guys that are just going to do a great job leading our team in the right direction. I really respect those guys and we really got some good work in this offseason.”
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