Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly look at Tampa Bay’s NFC South foes every week. Let’s spy on the Bucs’ division rivals, shall we?

Atlanta Falcons

• Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank was a recent NFL Network guest and said he believes there will be football this fall, but could look radically different than we have seen previously.

“So I think there will be football,” Blank said. “Whether or not all the games will be played with fans in the stands, I’m not sure. I know the league would certainly prefer to do that, so will virtually every other sport throughout the world. Whether or not that will be possible and provide a safe environment for our fans and our players and coaches and staff, et cetera, is still a question mark.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has slammed the breaks on virtually every industry in the world, sports included. Creating a safe environment for the fans is one of the league’s biggest priorities.

Arthur Blank and Thomas Dimitroff – Photo by: Getty Images

“I’m not a physician, I’m not a scientist and what have you, but I read and follow everything else,” Blank said. “I know that it’s important, I think regardless of the sport — the sport’s important for lots of people for lots of reasons, not just the economics of it but to bring people together in a sense of community, sense of togetherness, et cetera, and a sense of purpose that they can join in together with.”

• Atlanta has been one of the few NFL teams to add former XFL players and did once again last week announcing the signing of cornerback Josh Hawkins who played for the Dallas Renegades. The Falcons previously signed tight end Khari Lee and linebacker Edmond Robinson.

• Atlanta announced that backup running back Brian Hill had signed his restricted free agent tender to return as the team’s primary backup to Todd Gurley. Hill was tendered at $2.133 million after a 2019 season that saw him notch 109 carries for 517 yards and two touchdowns.

Carolina Panthers

• The new four-year, $64 million contract for running back Christian McCaffrey continues to be the big news out of Charlotte this past week. Head coach Matt Rhule told the media recently that McCaffrey is more than just a running back.

“I don’t look at him as just a running back,” new Panthers coach Matt Rhule told a local radio station last week. “We see him as a weapon. He can be a wideout, running back and returner. He’s not a player who you can pigeonhole.”

McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,392 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns on 403 touches.

McCaffrey himself spoke about his new deal earlier this week.

“I never focused on signing somewhere else. It never occurred to me,” McCaffrey said during a video conference call. “I want to be in Carolina for my whole career. I bought a place in Charlotte. I love the Carolinas more than anything in the world. It is somewhere I would like to call home forever.”

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

• Besides the fans, McCaffrey’s teammates are excited about the new deal, some for even selfish reasons.

New Panthers offensive tackle Russell Okung joked to a local TV station about why he was excited about the new deal.

“What a talent. What a real talent,” Okung said. “He is a playmaker. He makes plays all over the field. I heard he loves offensive linemen, so I look forward to a good Christmas gift from him.”

• Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown continues to be the most popular pick for the Panthers in recent mock drafts for Carolina on Thursday night and with good reason. Carolina is very thin across the defensive line and Brown should be able to step in and immediately contribute.

Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons is another name that has been bantered about in recent mocks along with one of the four elite offensive tackles in this year’s draft class. But with the defensive line such a glaring need it would be hard for the Panthers to pass on Brown if he is available.

New Orleans Saints

• The Saints added an offensive weapon when they signed free agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders this offseason to pair up with Pro Bowler Michael Thomas. In doing so Ted Ginn, Jr. was made expendable and the Saints have shown little interest in being him back with New Orleans. That doesn’t mean Ginn isn’t ready to hang up his cleats for good, despite recently turning 35.

“I’ve still got a few more years left in me,” Ginn told ESPN.

• The future at quarterback when Drew Brees finally decides to return is still somewhat unknown although the Saints feel Taysom Hill could be the heir apparent. However Hill has yet to sign his restricted free agent contract with New Orleans. The deadline for other teams to sign Hill has passed and there are really no other options for Hill other than to sign the one-year, $4.7 million deal or sit out 2020 which won’t happen. Hill did say despite not being signed, he would still participate in the Saints’ virtual offseason program.

Saints head coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees – Photo by: Getty Images

• Head coach Sean Payton is said to be recovered from his bout with COVID-19 last month and now wants to help others. According to reports Payton has donated his blood plasma at the Blood Center in New Orleans with hopes that his antibodies could be used to help boost the immune response of others who are fighting the virus.

“Until there’s a vaccine for it, this allows us to do something we think can help,” Payton said. “Hopefully that plasma can help someone who’s been affected maybe in a much more grave way.”

• The Saints have re-signed reserve running back and special teams contributor Dwayne Washington according to reports. Washington only played 18 offensive snaps for New Orleans in 2019 but was an important part of their special teams. The former Lions seventh-round draft selection in 2016 has 158 career touches for 605 yards and a touchdown.

• Despite the addition of Sanders to the wide receiving corps in New Orleans, the majority of mock drafts are projecting the Saints to still add another receiver with their first pick on Thursday night. LSU’s Justin Jefferson and Colorado’s Laviska Shenault Jr. are the two most picked by the pundits to become a Saint when the dust settles during the 2020 NFL Draft. Surprisingly, the Saints have never selected an LSU player in the first round in the team’s history.