NFC South Notes: Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Falcons

Falcons WR Julio Jones said he is not concerned about his contract situation with the team and was assured by owner Arthur Blank that they would get a deal done. 

“Nah, man, as far as the contract thing, (owner) Mr. (Arthur) Blank has spoken,” Jones said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution. “At the end of the day, his word is gold. He said they are going to get something done between them and my agency. As far as me, I just hold up my end and stay ready.” 

Jones said he doesn’t have any concerns with his health after dealing with a foot injury last season and plans to “take it easy” with this portion of camp. 

“Just maintenance,” said Jones. “I just take it easy. I’m not out here to rush things. A lot of times guys get hurt coming back. You get MCL, ACL and Achilles, things like that. Especially when you come out here and you’re an explosive guy. I just want to take my time coming back into it. You just have to gradually get back into it.”

Regarding Jones and DL Grady Jarrett‘s contracts, Blank said that both players will be “Falcons for life.”

“They are both great players, both Grady (Jarrett) and Julio,” Blank said. “They both will be Falcons for life. I feel pretty good, comfortable and confident in saying that.”

Panthers

• According to Max Henson, Panthers QB Cam Newton threw to moving targets during minicamp Wednesday after only tossing to stationary targets on Tuesday. 
• Panthers QB coach Scott Turner said the team emphasized changing Newton’s throwing motion to be more “compact and closed off” to try and take stress off his right throwing shoulder. (David Newton)
• Panthers HC Ron Rivera deferred to GM Marty Hurney when asked about a potential extension this offseason for CB James Bradberry, but did say, “You gotta make sure you keep a corner like that around.” (Jourdan Rodrigue)

Saints

Saints DE Cameron Jordan has two main goals that his new three-year extension helps accomplish: play out the rests of his career in his adopted home town of New Orleans, and win a Super Bowl.

“I bike around here, I go from Old Metairie to Uptown,” Jordan said via Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I walk across the street with the family, everybody knows me at the grocery store. My familiarity here has been welcomed. At this point, I feel like I am a part of this city. Still gotta win the Super Bowl, though.”

• Saints OTs Terron Armstead and Marshall Newhouse split the starting reps at left tackle. (Mike Triplett)
• Saints second-round C Erik McCoy has been working with the first team, while OL Nick Easton has been working at right guard while Larry Warford continues rehabbing an injury. (Triplett)
• Saints CB P.J. Williams has worked mostly as the nickel corner, while Patrick Robinson has worked with the second team. (Triplett)