Time for an afternoon run through some odds and ends from around the division:
ATLANTA FALCONS
Quarterback Matt Ryan, who sprained his left shoulder in the NFC Championship Game, has fully recovered and started working out in the weight room.
North Dakota’s boxing commission has suspended a fighter for taking a dive in a recent bout with former Atlanta defensive end Ray Edwards. Too bad Edwards wasn’t able to find offensive tackles who would take a dive. If he had, he still might have a job with the Falcons.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
While making a pitch to state officials for $62.5 million in funding, owner Jerry Richardson said he would never move the team. Although there were the usual Los Angeles rumblings a while back, I can’t see Richardson, who is so deeply rooted in the Carolinas, ever even attempting to move his team out of Charlotte.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The team reportedly will interview former Kansas State coach Rob Prince as a potential running backs coach. Bret Ingalls has held that role and remains with the team. But the Saints reportedly plan to switch Ingalls over to offensive line coach.
The Saints have the best regular-season record of any division team since the start of the 2006 season.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Bucs have signed punter Chas Henry. I don’t think incumbent punter Michael Koenen has much to worry about. Henry will get a look through the offseason and preseason, but Koenen has a pretty firm grip on the job. But coach Greg Schiano has made it clear he wants competition at every position and that even includes special teams.
