NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter said he’s been impressed with new additions DE Vinny Curry, DT Beau Allen and DE Jason Pierre-Paul.

“I think all the guys we brought in – I would say those two, Vinny and Beau, and then JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul] – I’ve been impressed with all three of those guys, how they’re sharing, especially with the younger guys,” Koetter said, via Buccaneers.com. “I think it also creates good competition on both the O-Line and the D-Line. If you watched one-on-one pass and one-on-one run, O-Line versus D-Line, yesterday – I didn’t get a chance to see it yet today – there were some really good battles there. You go down the line and you’ve got Donovan Smith versus JPP, and then over here you’ve got Gerald McCoy versus Caleb Benenoch. We’ve got great competition on both lines and that’s going to make everybody better.”

• Buccaneers first-round DT Vita Vea has carted off the practice field on Sunday. According to Rick Stroud, Vea is dealing with a left calf strain.

Panthers

• Panthers HC Ron Rivera told reporters on Sunday that no decision has made whether RT Daryl Williams will return at some point this season after suffering a dislocated kneecap and MCL tear (NFLTR). (Joe Person)

Saints

• Nick Underhill reports that Saints WR Travin Dural suffered a broken humerus today and will undergo surgery.
• Bob Rose of CanalStreetChronicles.com takes a look at the Saints undrafted free agents with the best shot at securing roster spots in the coming weeks. According to Rose, the four undrafted rookies to watch are WR Keith Kirkwood, DT Taylor Stallworth, CB Linden Stephens, and TE Deon Yelder.