NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians said OLB Noah Spence played in every snap of Friday’s preseason game because the team is still evaluating his position group. 

“Just seeing if he can get better. I wanted to see him against the run more. That whole group of guys, it’s a big fight over there,” said Arians, via Greg Auman.

Regarding the Buccaneers’ receiving corps, Arians praised Justin Watson and Bobo Wilson‘s recent performance but said, “the game was a little fast” for sixth-round WR Scotty Miller. 

“Scotty (Miller), the speed of the game was a little fast for him … I thought Justin Watson had a nice game. Bobo (Wilson) has had two nice games in a row,” said Arians, via Greg Auman.

Arians was upset with the performance of the Buccaneers’ offensive line in Friday’s preseason game. 

“They got their ass kicked one-on-one. Simple,” Arians said, via ProFootballTalk. 

• Arians said Cardinals’ backup QB Blaine Gabbert‘s shoulder injury is “not as serious as it looks.” (Greg Auman)

Falcons

Falcons HC Dan Quinn said after Thursday’s preseason game that they will evaluate the kicker job just like other positions after Giorgio Tavecchio missed a 39-yard field goal attempt, which leaves him 4 of 8 this preseason. 

“Any time at any position, when we miss the mark, we want to find out why and what we can do to get better,” Quinn said, via Jason Butt of The Athletic. “It’s definitely a spot we are continuing to evaluate and that is always the case.”

“It’s been a little disappointing from a results standpoint,” Tavecchio said. “But I can say everything else, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience so far in training camp with teammates, coaches, just my own experience in this football journey. I just want the results to reflect that.”

Panthers

• Panthers HC Ron Rivera said he is “cautiously optimistic” that QB Cam Newton (foot) will be ready for Week 1 and hopes to see him return to practice soon. (David Newton)
• Newton was still in a walking boot on Saturday and stayed inside the Panthers’ facilities during practice for treatment.
• Rivera added that Newton is “sore” but will get reps at practice this week to help prepare for Week 1. However, he will not play in Thursday’s preseason finale. (Tiffany Blackmon)