Checking around the NFC South: Falcons cut veteran

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Atlanta 

The Falcons cut 31-year-old veteran fullback Ovie Mughelli.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution created a post-Mughelli depth chart for fans, quite interesting. 

Carolina

The Panthers signed former Jaguars punter Nick Harris, while a coveted WR opted to sign with the Ravens

New Orleans

Jonathan Vilma news, as his lawyer says the NFL has yet to respond to his request...this one is getting interesting

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson impressed the Bucs during the rookie mini camp and looks to stick with the team after earning a contract. 

 

Also, right now, here are my predicted records for each NFC South team next season. Way too early, I know, but it is for fun.

 

Saints 10-6

Falcons 10-6

Panthers 8-8

Bucs 7-9


NFL.com release power rankings: Where does your team stand?

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The NFL.com's Elliot Harrison came out with his NFL Power Rankings today. Where do you think each NFC South team stands?

To find the list, you can click here. 

When I consider the NFC South teams, I would put the New Orleans Saints at six, the Atlanta Falcons at nine, the Carolina Panthers at 20 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 26.

Harrison has the New Orleans Saints at nine and this for his explanation:

Bountygate: Medieval
Saints: Reeling.
Rest of the NFC South: Improved.
But still ...
Brees > Ryan > Cam > Freeman.

For Atlanta, Harrison has the team at 17 saying:

The Falcons have morphed into a passing team, looking to ride the right arm of their fifth-year veteran behind center. It's hard to believe Matt Ryan has been in the league that long, but it's time this "franchise quarterback" takes the next step. This team has won 42 games in his first four seasons, but really has nothing to show for it. On defense, the onus falls on the pass rush, where Ray Edwards (3.5 sacks) hasn't complemented aging John Abraham the way the club envisioned.

The Panthers come in at 24:

Carolina chose not to grab a defensive tackle or give Steve Smith a viable No. 2 in the early rounds -- a bit of a surprise from draft weekend. What the Panthers did get is a big-time player in linebacker Luke Kuechly. The only pause here is the enormous amount of bad luck Carolina has had at linebacker.Thomas Davis can't stay healthy. The team's best player, Jon Beason, missed almost all of 2011 due to injury. Dan Morgan was a beast, but couldn't stay healthy, either. Let's hope Kuechly lines up 16 and knocks 'em down.

While Tampa rounds up the NFC South just two spots back of Cam Newton and company:

Who are the Bucs? Are they the club that lost the last 10 games of 2011 under Raheem Morris? Or are they a new-look team with a new head coach -- as well as new No. 1 receiver, new guard, new safety, etc. -- that can compete in a division whose champion is knee-deep in turmoil? The answer lies somewhere in between, but if the defensive line plays up to its potential, this is a completely different football team. All four players on the line were first- or second-round picks. Look no further than the Giants to see what a good front four can do for playoff hopes.

 

What do you think of these rankings? I guessed Tampa spot on, but I'm a bit surprised each of the first three aren't a nod higher. What say you?

 

 

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Bucs take the cake in NFC South

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Hey guys,

Welcome back. What a fun NFL Draft 2012 eh?

I'm hear to deliver the draft grades for each team, so why wait? Let's get started!

Atlanta Falcons

Best Pick: Peter Konz OC, Wisconsin -- The big man can play any position along the offensive line and was a nice grab by Atlanta in the second round. He should be a solid player for them for the next decade. 

Questionable pick: Trading everything they did last season for Julio Jones. It was way, way too much. 

Steal: Konz

Analysis: They were able to nab a nice player in Konz and Lamar Holmes, who could push for time. Solid, but not spectacular. 

Grade: C+ 

Carolina Panthers

Best Pick: Luke Kuechly LB, Boston College -- An amazing player, he can do it all as a defender and should help right away in Carolina. 

Questionable pick: None

Steal: Amini Silatolu, OG Midwestern State -- A powerful presence, the lineman has quick feet and just so much strength. Solid pick. 

Analysis: Landed some really good players to continue adding to an already nice pool of talent. 

Grade: B

 New Orleans Saints

Best Pick: Nick Toon WR, Wisconsin -- A fast receiver, he is just another weapon for Drew Brees. He should have a nice rookie campaign. 

Questionable pick: Bounty Scandal, of course. 

Steal: None. 

Analysis: The scandal cost big, losing a second-round pick. 

Grade: D- 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best Pick: Lavonte David LB, Nebraska -- This kid will be a star. He is so versatile and will start from Day 1 at outside linebacker. Another great Buc linebacker. The next Derrick Brooks. 

Questionable pick: None, addressed needs. 

Steal: Doug Martin RB, Boise State -- Martin, the Muscle Hamster, can do it all. He is the most complete back in the draft and will start. 

Analysis: Starting off with Mark Barron at safety, the Bucs struck gold in this one, picking up potentially four starters. 

Grade: A

Checking around the NFC South: ATL adds major piece

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We are just a day away from the beginning of the NFL Draft. For many, it's like a holiday, one where you get to open presents and just get excited about what is to come.

For some, it is anything but. The recent story going on with the Saints is a big one and may prove just as costly as the Bountygate scandal. But as we wait for that to play out, which commish Roger Goodell said would could expect in the coming days, today's big story goes to the Atlanta Falcons. 

Here is the official release by NFL.com:

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to trade cornerback Asante Samuel to the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

As part of the trade, Samuel and the Falcons have agreed to terms on a three-year, $18.5 million deal.

It's not yet known what the Falcons will send the Eagles in return for the nine-year veteran.

Samuel had to rework the final two years of his existing contract -- which were not guaranteed in the first place -- before the deal could be agreed upon. Samuel was set to make $21.5 million over the next two seasons, and he would count for more than $8 million against the salary cap.

The Falcons emerged as one of the team's interested in Samuel on Tuesday, a league source told NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, and quarterback Matt Ryan spoke glowingly of the cornerback.

"As far as Asante Samuel, I can only speak for having played against him a number of times and I know that's he's been extremely difficult to play against and has done a great job against us when we've played him in the past," Ryan said.

Samuel, 31, had three interceptions for the Eagles last season. He has made four Pro Bowls in his nine-year career, and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2007.

 

Now, this is a deal that I like for Atlanta, though Samuel hasn't been the same as of late. There was no need for him in the NFC East after the Eagles made a bunch of moves to bring in some CBs, he was worth getting rid of. My guess is a fifth round pick for the former Patriots star. 

 

Do you like the move?

 

 

NFL.com's Mock Draft: Bucs score big

Taking a look at Charles Casserly's mock draft on NFL.com, he has every NFC South team addressing a crucial need with a perfect fit. 

Here is who he predicts, followed by my letter grade on the pick and commentary.

At 5th overall, the writer has Tampa Bay taking stud corner Morris Claiborne out of LSU.

A : Stud player, huge play-maker. With Ronde Barber getting up there and Aqib Talib's legal situation iffy, this pick is a must. 

At nine, the Carolina Panthers select Fletcher Cox, the DT out of Miss. State.

B+: Powerful player that has what it takes to make an impact right away. Stick him in the dline for 10 years and forget it. All-pro player. 

At 36th, the Bucs take Virginia Tech RB David Wilson.

B+: Another position of need addressed. Needs to work on ball security but should be a good one. 

At 40th, Panthers take Cal LB Mychal Kendricks.

B: A versatile player that will provide depth. 

Lastly, at 55, the Falcons grab Zebrie Sanders, the OT out of Florida State.

B: You can never have too many tackles. Sanders has the size and tenacity to be a starter this season. 

Click here to see the entire mock draft. 

NFL DRAFT: Who is the best prospect?

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Hey everyone,

I wanted to share this list with you all. From NFL.com, they have ranked the prospects by position and you can find all that info below.

I've gone through all of the prospects and picked out who would be the best fit in the first round for each team, joined by their profile, courtesy of the NFL.

Below, I've highlighted with your favorites team's colors the top three players each team will be targeting early on. 

Quarterback

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
3. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
4. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
5. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Running Back

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama
2. Doug Martin, Boise State
3. David Wilson, Virginia Tech
4. Lamar Miller, Miami (Fla.)
5. LaMichael James, Oregon

Wide Receiver

1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
2. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
3. Kendall Wright, Baylor
4. Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech
5. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

Tight End

1. Coby Fleener, Stanford
2. Dwayne Allen, Clemson
3. Orson Charles, Georgia
4. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette
5. James Hanna, Oklahoma

Offensive Tackle

1. Matt Kalil, USC
2. Riley Reiff, Iowa
3. Mike Adams, Ohio State
4. Jonathan Martin, Stanford
5. Cordy Glenn, Georgia

Rise: Adams (4)
Fall: Martin (3)

Guard

1. David DeCastro, Stanford
2. Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
3. Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State
4. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State
5. Brandon Brooks, Miami (Ohio)

Center

1. Peter Konz, Wisconsin
2. Philip Blake, Baylor
3. Ben Jones, Georgia
4. David Molk, Michigan
5. Michael Brewster, Ohio State

Defensive End

1. Quinton Coples, North Carolina
2. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
3. Nick Perry, USC
4. Chandler Jones, Syracuse
5. Vinny Curry, Marshall

New Entry: Jones
Out: Jared Crick, Nebraska (5)
Fall: Curry (4)

Defensive Tackle

1. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
2. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
3. Michael Brockers, LSU
4. Dontari Poe, Memphis
5t. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut
5t. Devon Still, Penn State

Rise: Cox (2), Worthy (4)
Fall: Poe (1)

Outside Linebacker

1. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
2. Shea McClellin, Boise State
3. Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
4. Andre Branch, Clemson
5. Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma

Inside Linebacker

1. Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2. Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
3. Mychal Kendricks, California
4. Keenan Robinson, Texas
5. Sean Spence, Miami

Cornerback

1. Morris Claiborne, LSU
2. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
3. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
4. Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
5. Josh Robinson, Central Florida

Safety

1. Mark Barron, Alabama
2. Harrison Smith, Notre Dame
3. Brandon Taylor, LSU
4. DeQuan Menzie, Alabama
5. Phillip Thomas, Syracuse