AUG 11 - KIRK PUSHING PITTS - The Atlanta Falcons made Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end of all time back in 2021, but he hasn't lived up to that title quite yet. However, this could be the year, as Kirk Cousins is pushing Pitts to give his all in every play.
"What I'm encouraging him with is to use that length as much as he can," If he does that, the production can't help but happen. I'm just always looking for opportunities to get him running and then give him that ball where he can go snag it."
Pitts is an imposing 6-6, 245 pounds at tight end, and he has elite speed at the position to boot. If he can use all of those factors and break out this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a new threat to worry about in the NFC South.
AUG 11 FALCONS PRESEASON ROSTER MOVES In the wake of the Falcons' 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Friday, Atlanta has announced some roster moves.
Atlanta reportedly moved linebacker Bralen Trice and corner Harrison Hand on injured reserve and released quarterback Nathan Rourke.
Trice suffered a severe knee injury in the second quarter of the loss to the Dolphins on Friday. Hand suffered a knee injury in practice on Wednesday.
The two roster spots were filled by widout Jakeem Grant and running back Spencer Brown.
The Bucs will meet the Falcons on Oct. 3 in Atlanta and Oct. 27 at Raymond James Stadium.
AUG 11 NEW WEAPON? The Bucs' rivals in Atlanta are making a clever move in signing Jakeem Grant, the oft-injured kick returner who when healthy was an All-Pro performer in Cleveland.
Grant hasn't played since 2021 because of two serious injuries; he tore his Achilles in 2022 and he ruptured his patellar tendon in 2023.
But before that? He earned back-to-back All-Pro selections and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021.
Given the NFL's new kickoff rule, some teams are experimenting with the added value a specialist like him might offer. It's worth a shot. A smart shot.
AUG 7 SIMMONS VISITS NOLA Veteran free safety Justin Simmons is one of, if not the best remaining free agent in the NFL, and he is now visiting with a Tampa Bay Buccaneers' division rival.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport confirmed a report that Simmons is visiting with the New Orleans Saints today, and that he could eventually sign with the team.
Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods was with the Denver Broncos when they drafted Simmons back in 2016, as he was his defensive backs coach. If New Orleans was to sign Simmons and bolster their secondary even more, the Bucs would have a new defensive juggernaut to worry about in the NFC South.
AUG 6 HANGIN' Bucs and Patriots legend Tom Brady is hanging out with LeBron James and some of the fellas from the USA Basketball men's team as they preparing to begin the medal round on Tuesday.
Brady posted on his Instagram story of himself and his daughter with LeBron, adding the message "WE GOT YOUR BACK!!!" along with an American flag emoji.
Brady, who in retirement is about to be the No. 1 NFL analyst on FOX, has also taken in other Olympic events, including another GOAT on GOAT move in his observation of gymnastics star Simone Biles.
AUG 5 FALCONS FINISH FIRST? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South three seasons in a row, but some think this could be the season that streak comes to an end.
In a recent article by Pro Football Network's Mike Wobschall, he gives some of his predictions for this season. he predicts the Bucs to come in second in the NFC South, and for the Atlanta Falcons to come out on top.
They have a whole new coaching staff as well as a brand new quarterback. That, combined with the fact that they have some of the best young talent in the league is reason enough for some to believe they could make some noise this year.
AUG 5 NO BRYCE? There are no right answers here.
And Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales - the former Bucs top aide - is making that clear as he weighs the chances that he won't risk playing second-year quarterback Bryce Young in the preseason.
Said Canales: "I keep going back and forth with that because there's some value to just allowing him to play ... and then there's also the flipside of which we know.''
That unspoken "flip side'' is the injury threat.
The upside to allowing Young to play? He's coming off a poor rookie year. Frankly, he needs the work, and doing something for the Panthers as they open up their preseason on Thursday against the New England Patriots would mean some seasoning.
But ... there is also the unspoken - and therefore no right answer.
AUG 5 MATTY ICE TO THE HOF? Matt Ryan will forever be known as the guy that blew a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl, but that does not necessarily mean that he did not have a career worthy of the NFL Hall of Fame.
In a recent article by Pro Football Network's Lorenzo Reyna, he lists five NFL players who he believes will not make it to Canton, and "Matty Ice" is one of the players that he mentions.
Since Ryan officially retired in 2024, he will not be eligible until 2029. With that being said, there is an argument to be made for him making it versus being left out, and we will see come 2029.
AUG 4 TAYSOM AT 5 POSITIONS? Taysom Hill is one of the most versatile players in the entire NFL, and the New Orleans Saints could use that to their advantage this season.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Saints could use Hill in as many as five positions. The team could use him at quarterback, running back, full back, tight end, and wide receiver.
The team will most likely not use him at all of these positions this season, but having someone that is that versatile is always going to be a plus.
AUG 4 LEGETTE DAY-TO-DAY The Carolina Panthers drafted wide receiver Xavier Legette in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has already suffered a minor setback.
The Panthers reported that their rookie wide out is considered day-to-day after suffering a leg injury in practice. It could have been worse, as the team initially thought it could have been a foot fracture, but an MRI ruled that out.
Legette was amazing in his final year at South Carolina, and he will be looking to help the Panthers contend in the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
AUG 4 CHIEF JON? What is Jon Gruden doing dressed up like a Chief?
Dressing up like a Buc? That would fit; he has Super success here.
Dressing up like a Raider? He had success there, too, though those nasty emails got him dumped in 2021. (And the Tampa Bay organization turned on him as well then) ...
But dressing up like a member of the Kansas City coaching staff, repping the Chiefs' chief rival?
FOX4 News Kansas City's PJ Green has the shot ... And we know he was just a guest at camp, so somebody on the KC staff tossed him a polo shirt, but ...
It hurt the eyes.