Time for an afternoon trip through the headlines from around the division:
ATLANTA FALCONS
Offensive tackle Ryan Schraeder has been getting work on the right and left sides. The undrafted free agent has made a good early impression and may have a shot at making the roster.
Speaking of undrafted players and the Falcons, D. Orlando Ledbetter reports that Donald Russell and Ronnie Wingo could get increased playing time in the second preseason game.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Coach Ron Rivera compared rookie linebacker A.J. Klein to Luke Kuechly, who was last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. That’s high praise and Klein might be a good guy to have around due to the injury histories for Jon Beason and Thomas Davis.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Running back Pierre Thomas and linebacker Martez Wilson returned to practice on a limited basis.
Mike Triplett observes that the offense has yet to truly catch fire so far in camp. I don’t think that’s a big concern. The Saints have an offense that’s loaded and you know Drew Brees and his crew will show up when the real stuff starts. The best part of this news might be that the defense is playing well.
Friday’s game will be the last for Jerry Romig as the public-address announcer at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Romig is retiring after 44 years.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Rookie cornerback Johnthan Banks had some rough patches against New England’s Tom Brady in a joint workout. Banks is not the first cornerback that Brady has exploited and he won’t be the last. The upside for Banks is that he has a chance to grow by facing Brady.
Although general manager Mark Dominik indicated there’s a chance Darrelle Revis could play in the third exhibition game, the cornerback said it’s too early to tell.
