NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints

Buccaneers

  • Agent Drew Rosenhaus on his client RB LeSean McCoy signing with the Buccaneers: “He’s very excited to play with established vets like Brady and Gronk in trying to win another championship.” (Adam Schefter)
  • Ian Rapoport says that the Buccaneers have been looking for a veteran presence at running back for months but did not have a lot of money to spend. He adds that it is a low-cost, low-risk signing for the team.
  • Jenna Laine of ESPN writes that the signing of McCoy will push current Buccaneers running backs Dare Ogunbowale and Ronald Jones.
  • Laine adds that the team also needed a running back who could contribute in the passing game and McCoy had shown he was able to do so for his previous teams.
  • Greg Auman mentions that McCoy is an upgrade to the depth and the pass-catching ability the team had at running back, which is something QB Tom Brady will likely use a lot this season.

Falcons

  • Vaughn McClure notes that the Falcons are looking at two former Bengals veterans to help their young group at cornerback. The team is investigating CB B.W. Webb, who started 12 games for the Bengals last season.
  • McClure adds that the Falcons are still working on adding CB Darqueze Dennard and that nothing is finalized yet.
  • Jason Butt mentions that while Dennard can play outside, he is preferred as a nickel by the Falcons. 
  • Butt also says that assuming Dennard gets a deal similar to the three-year, $13.5 million offer he had from the Jaguars he will likely be a starter in Atlanta.
  • When examining the largest consequences of a lowered 2021 salary cap, Joel Corry of CBS Sports mentions that the three most likely to be affected by the cap are the Eagles, Falcons, and Saints.
  • Corry notes that Atlanta has $221 million toward cap commitments in 2021. The 2021 cap could be as low as $175 million. 

Saints

Saints HC Sean Payton said he does not plan on separating “quarterbacks” or “certain position groups” from the team after some around the league reportedly considered the thought. 

“I don’t anticipate separating quarterbacks or separating certain position groups,” said Payton, via Around the NFL. “We’re going to be smart relative to how their locker … and look I think that the key is hopefully you can stay as healthy as possible. I won’t be surprised if some games are forfeit … or not forfeited. There’ll be some suspended games, though. There’ll be some teams that have players at one position group where they just won’t be able to play the game and that’s part of the deal. I think the league understands that.”

Payton said that the Saints are monitoring other professional sports leagues around the United States like the NBA and NHL. 

We’re paying attention to all of the leagues,” Payton said. “I think the NBA has done a fantastic job. I think the NHL has done a fantastic job. I’m not quite as familiar with what’s going on in baseball. I think the concerns we all have with football is just the fact that we’re not creating a bubble. So we’re going to have to be on point with our testing and be able to adjust very quickly should a player or group of players test positive.”

  • When examining the largest consequences of a lowered 2021 salary cap, Joel Corry of CBS Sports mentions that the three most likely to be affected by the cap are the Eagles, Falcons, and Saints.
  • Corry notes that New Orleans has $260 million in cap commitments in 2021. The 2021 cap could be as low as $175 million. 

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