NFC South Second Lines - He Said What? Edition

Each week, I cover myself in petroleum jelly and check out the blogs and websites of our NFC South brethren so that you don't have to. After the jump you'll find the most important news from the rest of the NFC South.

This is an abbreviated Second Lines as I head to Charleston for my sister's wedding...Congrats, EC!

Carolina Panthers

The biggest news around Carolina this week is the supposed [rude behavior of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson to Payton Manning and Drew Brees] (http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Another-report-says-Richardson-was-rude-to-Manning-Brees.html) during CBA negotiations. Some Panthers fans have been strangely defensive of Richardson, a posture that makes total sense. After all, Richardson's commitment to winning is obvious in the way that he (as Ryan pointed out) kept a lame-duck coach for a lost season, gutted the team of most of it's talent, and has now potentially pissed off two of the top 5 quarterbacks in the league, both of whom play the Panthers next year. Well done, sir.

Of course, three games against mad QBs is nothing in comparison to a Collective Bargaining Agreement, so maybe Richardson's actions make sense if they help the owners get a better agreement. And, Drew Brees has gone on the record as saying that "things" weren't disrespectful, which I'm sure is totally true and not just Brees trying to smooth the situation over because he's a better negotiator and politician than Jerry Richardson.

Still, for his next move, I've heard Richardson will vote to extend the lockout past the Panthers-Saints and Panthers-Colts games this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Former Saint and current Buc Jeff Faine is worried that the a work stoppage could really hurt the Bucs, which is one of the youngest teams in the NFL.

You know what else might hurt the Bucs this year? Not playing the NFC West.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have added former Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski to their coaching staff, where he'll coach quarterbacks and be groomed as a potential future offensive coordinator.

This is great news for Falcons fans, because Bratkowski oversaw the development of Carson Palmer as one of the best young QBs in the league. This is also great news for Saints fans, because Bratkowski also oversaw the post-injury regression of Carson Palmer into one of the most average quarterbacks in the league.

I, for one, think Carson Palmer is a great model for Matt Ryan's development, and though I won't wish injury on anyone, I'll gladly hope that Ryan descends rapidly into mediocrity...

You can follow Stuart on Twitter or check out his Saints podcast, The Who Dat Report, which he produces each month during the offseason.