NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

New Buccaneers RB LeSean McCoy said he is unsure of what his role will be in 2020 but and is still learning their playbook. 

“We didn’t talk about that yet,” McCoy said, via ProFootballTalk. “We talked a little bit because I’m kind of late, so I’m trying to get on track with the playbook, getting familiar with the guys. We haven’t talked about the roles yet. I’m sure that will come eventually. I know a lot about [coach Bruce Arians]. He’s a York[, Pennsylvani] guy, I’m from Harrisburg, so very similar, very close. I knew about his offense for a while — he’s a hell of a coach. I’m excited to be here playing for him.”

McCoy said he is “not finished” with his NFL career and believes he can help the younger players on Tampa Bay’s roster. 

“I’ve done a lot of great things in my career, but I’m not finished,” McCoy said. “When I decide to step out on the field and to continue my career, that means a lot. I really dive in — I give it my all — and that can be a lot of different things from on the field playing to actually helping out the younger guys in the room. I witnessed today that they’re so young and I really could help them out for this team and for the future. I just want to have a big impact any way that I can, but I also want to get out there, contribute and show my worth.”

• New Buccaneers QB Tom Brady admitted he’s having to work harder than usual on the playbook after getting a new one for the first time in 20 years. But he’s confident he’ll master it soon: “There’s no play I haven’t run and there’s no defense I haven’t seen. It’s physically can you still do the job.” (James Palmer)

Falcons

• Falcons CB Kendall Sheffield tells Kelsey Conway of the team website he has not yet been told if he will play nickel corner or outside in 2020. 
• Sheffield started at nickel before getting a chance to play outside and acquitting himself well as a fourth-round rookie. Atlanta has first-round CB A.J. Terrell and CB Isaiah Oliver on the outside and just signed CB Darqueze Dennard to help at nickel, but Sheffield will likely open as a starter. 

Panthers

• Per the Athletic’s Joe Person, a veteran NFC scout compared Panthers DE Brian Burns to Vikings DE Danielle Hunter. 
• Both are similarly built at 6-5 and 250-255 pounds, play with the same speedy, bendy style and had similar production as rookies (six sacks, eight TFL’s and nine QB hits for Hunter, 7.5 sacks, four TFL’s, 16 QB hits for Burns).
• After a tough 2019 season, Panthers CB Donte Jackson says he’s spent a lot of time talking to HC Matt Rhule and DC Phil Snow about attention to detail, adding he thinks Snow “trusts me to lead the cornerback room.” (David Newton)
• Jackson focused on bulking up some this offseason to not get bullied by bigger receivers: “I’ve been on it. That’s why I’ve got guns now.” (Newton)
• Jackson mentioned Panthers fourth-round CB Troy Pride has been lining up at a few different positions so far. (Person)