Buccaneers
While NFL players aren’t immune by any stretch of the imagination to COVID-19, the percentages are much more in their favor than they are for members of the coaching staff who fall into the older, more at-risk demographic. Some, like 67-year-old Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians who already retired once from the NFL after a bout with cancer, are even more at risk. Arians is still planning to coach but he’s very aware of the risk.
“I got to be real careful,” Arians said via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “I’ll probably double with a mask and a (face) shield. You know, because l already had my scare out there (in Arizona) once a couple of years ago. For me personally, I’ve got a plan and I just have to be smart enough to stay with it.”
- Joel Corry of CBS Sports writes a long-term deal for franchise OLB Shaq Barrett might be comparable to the $18 million-per-year and $40 million guaranteed that DE Trey Flowers got from the Lions in free agency last year.
- Barrett indicated he will sign his $15.828 million franchise tender if an agreement on a long term deal can’t be reached. (NFLTR)
Panthers
- NFL Media’s Charley Casserly writes Panthers first-round DT Derrick Brown is expected to be an immediate impact player, both taking up space and freeing up other players and offering push of his own on pass-rushing downs.
- Casserly says Panthers CB Eli Apple is the frontrunner for the No. 2 corner job, though he’ll be pushed by rookies Troy Pride and Stantley Thomas-Oliver.
- At left guard, Panthers OL Dennis Daley, Chris Reed and Michael Schofield will compete to start.
- The Panthers did not renew the contracts for veteran pro scouts Don Warren and Clyde Powers. Powers was hired by former GM Dave Gettleman. (Joe Person)
- Former Panthers coaching staff IT assistant Seenu Tulluri‘s contract was not renewed and will join Washington in the same role under HC Ron Rivera. (Person)
Washington
Washington personnel executive Kyle Smith said the organization has transitioned its grading system to a color-based system based on performance, starter status, and potential.
“The things that have changed is kind of the grading chart. We’re transitioning to more of a color-coded system, keeping numeric value on the college side so that we’re all speaking the same language,” Smith said, via Ben Standig and Mark Bullock of The Athletic. “Coach (Ron) Rivera now will take a step in, once that board was set, we’ll give him all of the players that we want him to evaluate as far as the coaching staff, and then in April we’ll all get together as a coaching staff and a personnel staff and make the decision.”
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