NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal believes there’s a decent chance the Buccaneers elect to stay with QB Jameis Winston for another season based on HC Bruce Arians‘ comments this season and GM Jason Licht‘s extension.
• Rosenthal adds Buccaneers LB Shaquil Barrett is a strong candidate for the franchise tag this offseason.  
• The Buccaneers worked out Deiondre Hall. (Aaron Wilson)

Falcons

• ESPN’s Howard Bryant mentions the Falcons as one of supposedly two teams with a legitimate interest in free-agent QB Colin Kaepernick which helped spark the NFL’s attempted workout. 
• Falcons WR Julio Jones missed practice Tuesday with his shoulder injury. Falcons TE Austin Hooper (MCL) also sat out practice. (Jason Butt)
• The Falcons gave Wes Schweitzer first-team reps ahead of Jamon Brown at right guard on Tuesday. (Vaughn McClure)

Panthers

Panthers QB Cam Newton made his first public comments since the last time he played in a game for Carolina all the way back in Week 2. Newton was hosting his annual Thanksgiving Jam in Charlotte, and while he wouldn’t directly address his future with the team that’s been the subject of much speculation this year, he did say he felt a deep connection to the Charlotte community. 

“Charlotte is home,” he said via David Newton. “Charlotte is a place I know people know me. They’re not just assuming. They know how I am. They know my energy. They know what I like and what I don’t like. For me to have that type of presence, it just reminds me that . . . it’s right. We’re looking forward to countless more years in Charlotte to impact the community in ways outside of the game of football.”

• According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Panthers worked out kickers Kai Forbath, Nick Rose, Greg Joseph (signed to practice squad) and Elliott Fry.
• The Panthers worked out Woodrow Hamilton, Stacy McGee (signed) and Jay-Tee Tiuli on Tuesday. (Aaron Wilson)

Saints

• NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal believes the dead money hit would be too big for the Saints to move on from QB Drew Brees after this season even though his deal is technically set to void. 
• Rosenthal adds the Saints could try to keep QB Teddy Bridgewater around for another season as the heir to Brees, but they’ll have to be more creative as Bridgewater’s market will be stronger this offseason.
• The Saints worked out Bryan Witzmann, Michael Ola and Josh LeRibeus. (Aaron Wilson)