The Panthers have had a busy week, releasing several players and shaking up their special teams unit a great deal. Things have also been eventful around the rest of the division.
Here’s a review of what’s going on around the NFC South.
Buccaneers sign LeSean McCoy
Tampa Bay assembled an impressive array of offensive weapons for their new quarterback. One thing they didn’t have was a proven playmaker at runnign back. We can now cross that item off the list, as the Bucs signed LeSean McCoy on Thursday. McCoy may have peaked in 2016 with the Bills, but he’s more capable than any back they had on the roster and can still produce. Last season when he was reunited with Andy Reid he scored five touchdowns from scrimmage. McCoy doesn’t move the needle much. Hwoever, the Bucs added depth at a position of need here, bringing them one step closer catching up with the Saints.
Two Saints tight ends opt-out of 2020 season
Speaking of the devil in the division, New Orleans has had two tight ends opt-out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic: Cole Wick and former Panther Jason Vander Laan. Neither qualifies as a big loss, though. Jared Cook put up strong numbers last year and is the only name at this position that really matters as far as the Saints ar econcerned. This is still the most loaded offense in the NFC South, even after all the firepower the Bucs have acquired.
Falcons finally add more help at cornerback
Atlanta has some of the same roster holes that Carolina does going into this year, so they may compete for the same free agents. Today, they agreed to terms with former Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard, adding some much-needed help at a position they have struggled at for several seasons. The Falcons also used their first-round pick on Clemson’s A.J. Terrell, but that was considered a reach by most. This is still a vunerable corner room, and if nothing else the Panthers have the personnel to take advantage of that.
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