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

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?

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. 

So, we know there is a big need at running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

LeGarrette Blount has shown flashes, but he doesn't seem to have what it takes to be an every-down back in this league.

So, in which direction will TB go? Many experts expect the team to take a corner in the first round, with Trent Richardson possibly going fourth to Cleveland. If that happens, Tampa won't reach for a RB at the fifth spot. So, then, what are the options?

Former Virginia Tech star David Wilson is the option. A star who started one season but ran for over 1,700 yards, setting the school's record, he can do it all. He is dangerous as a returner, pass-catcher and a runner, though sometimes he tries to do too much. He will certainly be available early in the second round and is worth a look. Considering Blount is a power back, Wilson can do it all and would make a nice combination. 

What do you think? Does that sound like a decent pick for the Bucs in the second round? If not, who would you aim for?

Check out this piece from WGAL.com. Carlos Rogers, who played for Gregg Williams in Washington, had some very, very interesting things to say:

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers came to the defense of former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, calling the entire bounty scandal overblown.

Rogers played under Williams for four seasons with the Washington Redskins and said the idea of a bounty system was not the idea of the embattled coach.

"It wasn't a bounty system. I'm close to Gregg, and I'm not trying to be biased," Rogers said. "He's one of the coaches I admire and would always love to play for," Rogers said. "But, it wasn't a bounty system."

Williams has been suspended indefinitely following a three-year NFL investigation that revealed players with the Saints were offered specific amounts for knockout or cart-off hits.

The heat on Williams intensified when a documentary filmmaker released an audio tape in which a person the filmmaker identified as Williams delivered a fiery, profanity-laced speech urging his club to injure 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, running back Frank Gore and wideouts Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams prior to a playoff game in January.

Rogers said some of Williams' remarks were typical of what players hear on a weekly basis in the locker room, pointing to San Francisco's playoff game against the New York Giants as an example.

"We're sitting here saying, 'We need to take (Giants quarterback) Eli (Manning) out.' That's how we were going to win this game, that's the person that was going to help New York win the game," Rogers said. "You don't think our linemen, linebackers were really trying to hit him? Not trying to hurt him as far as end his career.

"If you really want to hurt him, you'd take a player who normally never plays, and say, 'If you get a shot on the quarterback, take his knees out.' Because all they're going to do is fine him, and you pay his fine for him. If you really want to take somebody out, you can take him out. You'd tell somebody to take his knees out and really end their career and take them out."

Rogers said players have been the ones responsible for offering cash to take a player out of the game, stressing it was done legally.

"Not intentionally — if you think about it, when you play football, you knock someone out, hit them legally, you get some money," Rogers said. "If you hit him wrong, and you get $1,500? You're getting fined by the league $15,000. So what risk do you want to take? Getting this $1,500 in this defensive room and getting fined $15,000? You're losing money."

Saints coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. General manager Mickey Loomis was suspended eight games and assistant coach Joe Vitt was banned six games.

All three had their appeals heard by Goodell on Thursday

With each team looking to decide what to do with their first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the NFL.com has put together a neat page that shows predictions of each analyst. 

I've taken the liberty of sorting out these picks by numbers, so you can see what tehey are hearing from sources as to who the Bucs and Panthers may take, as they are the only NFC South teams with first round picks. 

FIFTH PICK

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Morris Claiborne, CB LSU  (8)

Trent Richardson, RB Alabama (2)

Dontari Poe, DT Memphis (1)

Analysis: Claiborne is obviously the pick here and make sense as Aqib Talib is having his issues and Ronde Barber is pushing 40. This stud CB could be a big-time player and does fill a need, especially in this pass-happy league. Richardson could be the pick if the CB is off the board. The Bucs WILL NOT pick Dontari Poe, from what I'm hearing. 

NINTH PICK

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Dontari Poe, DT Memphis 5

Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina 3

Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

Devon Still, DT Penn State

Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

Analysis: Do you see the trend here? All but one go with a DL. Makes sense, as the team's defense has to improve to go with the talented offense, led by Cam Newton. I would expect it to be Coples, the home-state kid from UNC. Any of these players would be good gets at No. 9, but may be a bit of a reach for Still and Ingram. 

What do you think? Who would you predict in being picked?