NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

  • ESPNโ€™s Jenna Laine lists safety as the biggest position battle on the team, with Jordan Whitehead one probably starter and second-round rookie Antoine Winfield Jr., Dโ€™Cota Dixon and Andrew Adams also competing for playing time. 
  • The Athleticโ€™s Greg Auman says there will be extra pressure on the Buccaneers offensive to replicate their performance over the final six games last year, when they allowed just 11 sacks, to protect QB Tom Brady.
  • Auman notes Buccaneers LT Donovan Smith likely needs a good year in 2020 given he has no guaranteed money left on his deal next year which makes him a potential cut. 
  • He adds G Ali Marpet and C Ryan Jensen also have eight-digit contracts with no guarantees, so theyโ€™re in a similar boat as Smith though theyโ€™ve been playing better.  
  • Auman thinks Buccaneers OL Aaron Stinnie and Zack Bailey have an edge over the rest of the depth chart for backup positions. 
  • Buccaneers rookie WRs Tyler Johnson and Josh Pearson were limited and worked to the side at Thursdayโ€™s practice. Buccaneers S Justin Evans remains on the PUP and watched practice. (Auman)

Falcons

  • ESPNโ€™s Vaughn McClure lists running back as the biggest position battle on the team, as the team will need to manage starting RB Todd Gurleyโ€˜s health and workload. 
  • Falcons RBs Ito Smith, Brian Hill and Qadree Ollison will compete to spell Gurley. 
  • McClure notes Gurley was noticeably limping during the acclimation period but still showed speed and burst during drills. He says a source familiar with him from the Rams told him: โ€œHe canโ€™t put his foot in the dirt and go like the old Todd Gurley, but he could still be a productive back.โ€
  • Falcons WR Julio Jones says he didnโ€™t need any surgeries this offseason and just focused on โ€œbody maintenance.โ€ (D. Orlando Ledbetter)

Panthers

  • ESPNโ€™s David Newton lists cornerback as the biggest position battle on the team, with fourth-round CB Troy Pride pushing veterans Eli Apple and Donte Jackson for playing time. 
  • Per the Athleticโ€™s Joe Person, Panthers WR Robby Anderson is excited from what heโ€™s seen of OC Joe Bradyโ€˜s offense so far: โ€œItโ€™s creative. Itโ€™s smart. And itโ€™s going to put everyone in their best element.โ€ 
  • Panthers WR Curtis Samuel said heโ€™s focused on the team and improving after his name came up in trade rumors this offseason: โ€œWeโ€™re past that point now.โ€ (Person)
  • Panthers second-round S Jeremy Chinn said heโ€™s been playing โ€œdefensive athleteโ€ in DC Phil Snowโ€™s defense, lining up at safety, nickel and dime defender, including a fair amount of work in the box. (Person)
  • Even though Luke Kuechly isnโ€™t a teammate anymore, Chinn said one of the perks of being drafted by Carolina is he still gets to talk to Kuechly with his role in the front office: โ€œI get to come in and pick Luke Kuechlyโ€˜s brain every single day.โ€ (Person)

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