NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• Buccaneers DT Vita Vea was highlighted by Pro Football Focus in a guest column for NBC Sports as a potential breakout player with more opportunity in 2019. 
• PFF also highlighted TE O.J. Howard as a potential breakout player. 

Panthers

• Panthers HC Ron Rivera said that CB James Bradberry and LB Shaq Thompson are on the verge of taking the next step in their development and he’s hoping to keep them around for a long time, as both are in contract years. (Max Henson)

Saints

Saints QB Drew Brees has admittedly played longer than the team has anticipated. With Brees still looking strong at the age of 40, New Orleans GM Mickey Loomis says they’re just taking it year-by-year.

“You know, I don’t think we look at it that way anymore. I think we look at it in terms of, ‘Hey, this year,’ you know? And man, he had a great season last year, and we expect a great season this year,” Loomis said via the New Orleans Advocate. “And so for as long as he wants to play and can play, he’s going to have that opportunity.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that when the Saints extend WR Michael Thomas, he will be the first Saints skill-position player to make eight figures, joining TE Jimmy Graham who was traded eight months after signing for $10 million.