NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints

Buccaneers

• According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, the Buccaneers’ offense in 2020 is still going to be HC Bruce Arians‘ system, but with a twist from new QB Tom Brady. Many have wondered what the marriage between the two will look like, as Arians’ scheme is built on deep passing and on the surface is the opposite of what Brady has run throughout his career. 
• Laine expects Brady to help the Buccaneers dramatically improve their screen game, as well the quick passing game which is his strength.
• She adds the true collaboration is going to come before games as the two build the game plan. Arians will bring 15 or so plays for different situations and Brady will pick his favorites to go on the call sheet. 
• Buccaneers TE Cameron Brate said he and his teammates have been teaching the offense to Brady during their workouts together: “It’s a little weird now working with him at the beginning of his Bucs tenure because we’re kinda teaching him our verbiage. It’s kind of a backwards way of how it’s probably going to progress during the season with him kinda teaching us about the game and how he sees things.” (SiriusXM NFL Radio)

Falcons

As the dust settles following the NFL’s offseason, the NFC South is set up as one of the toughest divisions in the league heading into the 2020 season. Every single division game will feature a quarterback who’s either a former MVP or Drew Brees — and that’s despite the Panthers dumping former MVP QB Cam Newton. Falcons QB Matt Ryan, a former MVP in 2016, faces a steep climb trying to push Atlanta past two future Hall-of-Famers in Brees with the Saints and new Buccaneers QB Tom Brady.

“It didn’t get any easier in our division, for sure. They’re solid. Tampa’s defense was really tough. They add Tom, who’s such a consistent and great player,” Ryan said, via 247Sports.com’s Riley Gates. “The division’s going to be a battle every week . . . Our defense is going to have their work cut out for them, that’s for sure. It’s tough but I think any time you get those division games late in the year, it gives you a chance to either make up ground, or separate yourself. That’s what we’re going to need to do that time of the year.”

• The Athletic’s Jay Glazer mentions Falcons DC Raheem Morris as being ready for another chance at being a head coach. 
• Falcons TE Hayden Hurst has been making the four-hour drive from his home in Jacksonville to Atlanta to work out with Ryan: “That’s helping me a lot. That’s really going to pay off during training camp.” (Vaughn McClure)

Saints

• The Athletic’s Jay Glazer writes the Saints’ position that Taysom Hill is the quarterback of the future is not a smokescreen, and that not only does HC Sean Payton love Hill but so does the entire team.