Let's take a look at the Friday morning headlines from around the division:
ATLANTA FALCONS
General manager Thomas Dimitroff was singing the praises of owner Arthur Blank for traditionally spending close to the salary cap. After Matt Ryan’s contract extension, the Falcons are $7.8 million under the cap. They could use that to sign a veteran or two later in the preseason. They also could carry the remaining space over to next year when Ryan’s cap figure escalates.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Scott Fowler writes that the release of veteran offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner is a sign the Panthers aren’t going with the status quo. Hangartner was aging and didn’t have a great season last year. The Panthers gave him a week in camp and obviously didn’t like what they saw and decided it was time to shake things up.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Larry Holder writes that the Saints have been using safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Kenny Vaccaro at nickel cornerback. I think this is more than an experiment. I think one of those two guys will end up being the nickel cornerback. It doesn't matter that Jenkins and Vaccaro aren't true cornerbacks. They're athletic enough to play the nickel position.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Roy Cummings writes that wide receiver Chris Owusu is off to a good start in camp. Owusu made a couple of nice plays when I was out at camp on Thursday. I don’t know if Owusu is in the mix with Kevin Ogletree and Tiquan Underwood for the third receiver spot. But Owusu seems to have a good chance to make the roster as a fourth or fifth receiver.
