Around the NFC South: Crunch time for draft picks

July 25, 2008 9:17 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

JACKSON, Miss. -- A quick trip around the division before I head out to Saints practice, where it looks like Sedrick Ellis will head into Day 2 of his holdout. It's slow going with the rest of the unsigned first-round picks in the division.

  • After getting top pick Matt Ryan and most of their other picks signed early, the Falcons are approaching possible holdouts by Sam Baker, their second first-round pick, and second-round choice Curtis Lofton. The Falcons report to camp Friday and begin practice Saturday. Baker and Lofton have good chances to claim starting jobs and the Falcons will continue efforts to have them signed before the first practice.
  • The Panthers still are negotiating with first-round picks Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah. The team reports to camp Friday and the first practice is Saturday morning. Aside from last year when Jon Beason held out, general manager Marty Hurney has a history of getting his first-round picks signed in time for the start of camp.
  • The Bucs have three draft picks unsigned as the team is scheduled to report to camp Friday. Talks with first-round pick Aqib Talib, which seemed promising early in the week, are ongoing.

New Orleans Saints, Sedrick Ellis, Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan, Sam Baker, Curtis Lofton, Carolina Panthers, Marty Hurney, Jonathan Stewart, Jeff Otah, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Aqib Talib

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