Time for a look at the Friday morning headlines around the NFC South.
When the Falcons and Saints play Monday night, the two shortest players in the NFL will be on the field. Atlanta running back Jacquizz Rodgers and New Orleans running back Darren Sproles are 5-foot-6. The Falcons gradually have been creating a bigger role for Rodgers. They might be wise to take notes on how the Saints use Sproles.
They’ll be holding a reunion for University of Miami tight ends at Bank of America Stadium when the Panthers host the Bucs on Saturday. Carolina’s Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey and Tampa Bay’s Kellen Winslow all played at Miami. Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski was the Miami tight ends coach. In related news, Winslow said he believes Chudzinski will make a great head coach. Chudzinski’s name has popped up as a coordinator on the rise and he could be interviewed for some top jobs after the season.
Although specific details of the draft-pick compensation the Saints will receive for trading Reggie Bush to Miami in the summer are not known, Mike Triplett reports what New Orleans gets is not tied to Bush’s on-field performance.
Tampa Bay linebacker Geno Hayes, who can become a free agent after the season, said there have been no talks about a contract extension. But Hayes said he would like to remain with the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay cornerback Myron Lewis, a third-round pick last season, hasn’t received a lot of playing time. But, with Aqib Talib lost for the season, Lewis should at least be active Saturday at Carolina, and he might get a chance to validate his draft position.