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

Atlanta Falcons

• The Falcons arrive at the NFL Scouting Combine looking to improve their pass rush, but GM Thomas Dimitroff hinted there are other positions that Atlanta wants to upgrade, including running back.

“I think there’s really good value at the running back position,” Dimitroff told the Falcons team website. “You don’t always have to yank that guy off the board in the top 16 picks. There are some great values in the draft, and just like any other draft, this year they have it, too. Not saying it’s not a good addition to your team to go higher on someone, but there’s some really good running backs out there.”

Falcons RB Devonta Freeman – Photo by: Mark Lomoglio/PR

Atlanta has some serious salary cap issues and starting running back Devonta Freeman will count $9.5 million against the cap in 2020. The Falcons could choose to cut Freeman but would be left with $6 million in dead cap money, yet would save $3.5 million that could be used elsewhere. The Falcons could be looking to draft a later round running back to replace Freeman as a cheaper option and Dimitroff pointed to the 49ers as an example of finding value at running back well out of the first round in Raheem Mostert, an undrafted free agent.

• A Falcons fan blog is reporting that soon to be 39-year old backup quarterback Matt Schaub will be returning in the same capacity this year despite carrying a $2.3 million dollar cap hit.

• Atlanta is still in the process of deciding what to do with tight end Austin Hooper who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next month. With salary cap concerns Atlanta could choose to let Hooper test the free agent market, although the franchise tag is still reportedly on the table as an option. The tight end tag amount is around $11 million, so the Falcons probably can’t afford to use it.

Carolina Panthers

• The Panthers added former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady to their staff this offseason under new head coach Matt Rhule and now it appears they want to draft LSU Heisman winner and national championship winning quarterback Joe Burrow to bring a Tigers reunion to Charlotte.

LSU QB Joe Burrow – Photo by: Getty Images

A report late Monday suggested the Panthers are willing to move to No. 1 for Burrow, however it won’t be easy moving from No. 6 to No. 1 where Cincinnati has the top pick. The Panthers would then trade 30-year old quarterback Cam Newton to the Bengals to help recoup some of the draft picks it would take to obtain the pick from Cincinnati. The problem with that scenario is reports have the Bengals minds already made up, and Burrow is their guy.

• Sources have told Yahoo Sports that the Panthers will field trade offers for Newton, although Rhule heaped praise on him at the Combine: “I am unbelievably excited to get a chance to work with Cam. He’s an impressive man and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him. He’s doing a great job. I’m excited to get him healthy.” On Tuesday morning, Ian Rapoport reported that the Panthers will move forward this season with Newton as their starting quarterback.

• Panthers owner David Tepper recently sent a letter to season ticket holders and basically told them to be patient with the organization as they transition from former head coach Ron Rivera a number of former standouts like tight end Luke Kuechly and tight end Greg Olsen.

Here’s the letter Panthers owner David Tepper sent to PSL owners today (courtesy of a buddy of mine who has PSLs).
I think it’s a pretty good letter – the line about “Sometimes you have to do a little tearing down before moving forward” certainly describes his plan. pic.twitter.com/3BKKWRUpFn

— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) February 21, 2020

New Orleans Saints

• While it appears Taysom Hill is the future successor to Drew Brees, who announced he will return in 2020 last week, some fans in New Orleans were still hoping Teddy Bridgewater could be the starter in 2021. The problem is, as an unrestricted free agent next month, the former Louisville and Vikings player is set to break the bank when teams can officially begin begging for his service next month. The Saints, like the rest of the Bucs’ NFC South opponents, have salary cap concerns and paying both Brees and Bridgewater in excess of $20 million for the 2020 is impossible.

The Bucs may have interest in Bridgewater as a possible replacement for Jameis Winston, but more and more reports have been connecting Bridgewater and the L.A. Chargers, who will not bring Phillip Rivers back in 2020.

Bucs QB Jameis Winston and Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater – Photo by: Getty Images

• The Saints announced the promotion of Michael Hodges from assistant linebackers coach to linebackers coach recently. Hodges succeeds Mike Nolan who left to become the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator.

• Pending free agent safety Vonn Bell is mourning the tragic loss of his brother, who was killed in an auto accident on Sunday. Bell’s brother was an assistant basketball coach in Tennessee, where the accident occurred.

Thanks to everyone for all the love and support to my family and I during this time..we’re grieving right now, this one hits different.

— Vonn Bell (@Vonn) February 24, 2020