NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints

Buccaneers

Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston has been impressed with second-year RB Ronald Jones so far after a disastrous rookie season. 

“I would say RoJo has been showing out,” Winston said via the Athletic’s Greg Auman. “His confidence, his comfort, RoJo’s a smart guy. He’s getting comfortable in this offense. No one is breathing down his neck. He’s more relaxed and executing at a high level.”

Winston said he’s seen an ability in Jones to move forward past his mistakes, per Auman. 

“I know how talented he is. That’s why he was a second-round pick. My first year, my first game wasn’t like I would have wanted it. You have to continue to move forward, to grow and get better. I see drastic improvements coming in this season.”

• Buccaneers WR Breshad Perriman and WR Mike Evans both sat out OTA’s with injuries and could also miss minicamp. (Auman)

Falcons

According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Falcons DE Takk McKinley has been taking some reps at linebacker during OTAs. 

“There will be some packages where can be a linebacker,” Falcons HC Dan Quinn said of McKinley. “The value in that [presents the question of] is he a rusher or is he a dropper?

“The more versatility that we have (the better). I’d rather start on those packages now. We may not play them all the way through, but I’d like to start on them and get the experience. That way when you get into the season, here’s a package that I’d like to discuss and we’ll have already put work in on it.”

• Vaughn McClure reports that Falcons first-round G Chris Lindstrom and OT Kaleb McGary worked primarily with the second-team offense at right guard and right tackle on Thursday. 
• McClure says that the Falcons had Ty Sambrailo and Jamon Brown taking the first-team reps, but Lindstrom saw “extensive time” with the first group near the end of practice and held his own.

Saints

• Saints HC Sean Payton said Thursday that G Larry Warford is recovering from an unspecified injury but will be back “sooner than later.” (Josh Katzenstein)