NFL Notes: Buccaneers, Patriots, Ravens

Buccaneers

Buccaneers first-round TE O.J. Howard explained that the adjustment to the NFL has really been more mental than anything else.

“Everything went well with organized team activities and mini-camp,” Howard said, via the Montgomery Advertiser. “It’s more of a mental change than physical. You’ve got to do a good job of studying and taking it out to the field.”

Patriots

• Mike Reiss of ESPN considers OT Nate Solder, OT Marcus Cannon, OT Tony Garcia, G Joe Thuney, G Shaq Mason, and C David Andrews to all be “locks” to make the 53-man roster this summer.
• This leaves OT LaAdrian Waddle, OT Conor McDermott, OT Cole Croston, OT Andrew Jelks, OT Max Rich, G Ted Karras, G Jamil Douglas, G Chase Farris, G Jason King and C James Ferentz all competing for roster spots.
• Reiss mentions that it could be tough for the Patriots to get McDermott, who was a sixth-round pick, through waivers on their practice squad at the start of the season.
• According to Reiss, the Patriots’ decision to trade four picks to move up and select Garcia and McDermott in this year’s draft could be related to Solder’s contract situation and ensuring that they have some young depth as insurance.

Ravens

Before signing a four-year, $34 million contract with the Ravens this offseason, S Tony Jefferson said he actually watched the team’s games on NFL Game Pass before making his decision.

“I had to personally go on NFL Game Pass and watch tape and film before I made a decision. I felt like this defense fits me,” Jefferson said Monday, via NFL.com. “I feel like this style fits me. I love to hit, and do that type of stuff. And I think that’s the culture, and that’s what I want to be a part of.”

Jefferson added that he’s really excited about the Ravens’ defensive scheme and feels he’ll be able to make a lot of plays this year.

“I get really pumped up and excited when I talk about the scheme that I’ve seen so far through [organized team activities] and minicamp,” Jefferson said. “I feel like I’m going to be able to make a bunch of plays in this defense. [Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees] loves to bring pressure, and that’s what Arizona did. I’m used to that.

“I like to cover. So I’m going to have the opportunity to do that [and] showcase my abilities as much as I possibly can, and I think Dean is going to extradite all of that.”