NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints

Buccaneers

Arians was impressed with the way first-round LB Devin White immediately jumped into leading the defense. 

“Devin’s not shy. That’s what we like about him,” Arians said via ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “He jumped out, [learned] the defense quickly for today’s installation and wasn’t bashful about calling the defense and getting everybody lined up.”

• According to Rick Stroud, Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy is skipping the first voluntary OTA practice after skipping both Phase 1 and Phase 2. 
• The Buccaneers listed Deone Bucannon as both a linebacker and safety. (Greg Auman)
• Buccaneers CB Vernon Hargreaves “has to get his mind right to practice” according to Arians and watched Tuesday from the sidelines. (Stroud)
• According to Stroud, Hargreaves was not late to a meeting and this could be a motivational move by Arians. 
• Buccaneers S Justin Evans did not practice during OTA’s due to a lingering toe injury. (Auman)
• Buccaneers LB Lavonte David said he’s not thinking about if he’ll face a similar situation to McCoy next year: “At the end of the day, you can only control what you can control. And for me, it’s just going out there helping the young guys, getting them acclimated to a new defense…” (Stroud)
• David added he hopes McCoy is with the team this year: “Everybody around here loves Gerald. Gerald’s a vet. Everybody knows how Gerald carries himself. When he comes back, he’s going to be full throttle.” (Auman)

Falcons

• According to Chris Mortensen, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said via text the report of him getting restless was out of context: “Not at all. Off base…I am always restless to be better. Good is the enemy of great.”
• This is in response to Peter King, who mentioned on Monday that he “keep[s] hearing owner Arthur Blank is getting restless.”
• Falcons placed RB Jeremy Langford on injured reserve after he cleared waivers. (NFLTR)

Saints

• According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Saints rookies DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and DE Carl Granderson stood out during rookie minicamp.
• Saints signed LB Chase Hansen. (NFLTR)