NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

Tampa Bay HC Bruce Arians spoke about TE Rob Gronkowski joining the Buccaneers, as well as currently having O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate still on the roster.

“I don’t think anyone has a better tight end room in the league,” Arians said last week, via Greg Auman. “We’ll use three tight ends in our sets sometimes. Each and everyone has a redeeming quality that helps us win. I think it’s a great room … a really strong room.”

Panthers

Panthers’ spokesman Steve Drummond said they did not have a deal in place with Mississippi State QB Tommy Stevens as an undrafted free agent, despite Saints HC Sean Payton saying their deal led to New Orleans trading back into round seven to get Stevens.

“We didn’t have a deal in place with the player,” Drummond said, via Pro Football Talk. “We had conversations like every other team.”

Saints

After signing a one-year deal with the Saints as a backup quarterback, Jameis Winston made an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” and said he isn’t looking at his future beyond the upcoming season.

“That wasn’t even on my mind,” Winston said, via NBC Sports. “What convinced me was the opportunity, and when I talked to coach Payton, he gave it to me straight forward, and he said one thing that I really admired: [I will get] the chance to compete. The chance to compete with an amazing quarterback room and learn from the best, and I think that really sold me because I’ve been playing against them for five years, and I’m a firm believer in that room and what Drew has done and what [Payton] has done.”

Winston also acknowledged that signing with the Saints means he will stay in the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers twice a year.

“Absolutely. It’s not just about beating the Bucs twice a year every year for the rest of my life,” Winston said. “It’s about being in that same division, being familiar with the NFC South. Playing Carolina, even though they have a coaching change and Atlanta. Just being able to learn from a guy playing against teams I’ve been playing against.”