A standout theme throughout the Carolina Panthers’ training camp has been the composure and unflappable nature of rookie quarterback Bryce Young. This was once again evident in Friday night’s 21-19 preseason loss to the New York Giants. Despite facing a series of setbacks and miscues, Young remained unrattled and demonstrated his ability to bounce back.
Incomparable Poise
During the second series of the game, Young experienced a series of unfortunate events, including getting sacked, receiving a delay-of-game penalty, and encountering a heavy hit while completing a 15-yard pass to tight end Hayden Hurst, which was ultimately negated due to a holding penalty. These setbacks resulted in the Panthers settling for a field goal rather than a touchdown after making it to the 10-yard line.
However, throughout these challenges, Young consistently displayed an impressive lack of concern or discomfort. This quality was also observed in the previous week’s 27-0 defeat against the New York Jets. Despite being frequently hit and only achieving one first down in three series, Young never appeared frazzled.
Coach’s Evaluation
Post-game, Coach Frank Reich expressed his admiration for Young’s performance, stating, “I thought Bryce looked sharp.” Despite the frustrations stemming from the penalties, Reich commended Young for his composure and believed he played well. Young finished the game with a stat line of 3-of-6 for 35 yards, bringing his total preseason numbers to 7-of-12 for 56 yards.
Slight Missed Opportunity
Despite his overall solid showing, Young was unfortunate not to secure another completion. Jonathan Mingo failed to continue his route on a short pass over the middle, prematurely cutting it short. Had Mingo persevered, the pass would likely have been completed. Nevertheless, Young and Mingo later connected for a 15-yard play, which Reich described as a good read.
Reich highlighted Young’s excellent decision-making throughout the game, particularly in terms of protection calls against the Giants’ blitzes. Young exhibited comfort and poise in the pocket while consistently identifying the appropriate reads. Coach Reich’s praise indicates Young’s awareness and understanding of his responsibilities at the helm of the team.
When reflecting on his growth from the first to the second preseason game, Young emphasized the improvement in communication within the unit. While acknowledging the room for improvement, Young expressed satisfaction with the team’s handling of communication thus far.
Future Prospects
When asked about his readiness for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on September 10th, Young revealed his willingness to trust the coaching staff’s decision. Although Coach Reich and Young’s teammates appear confident in his abilities, a final decision on his participation in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions is yet to be determined.
Teammate Testimony
Center Bradley Bozeman spoke highly of Young’s demeanor, describing him as “cool, calm, and collected” during the television broadcast. Bozeman’s statement further reinforces the sentiment shared by the coaching staff and teammates, highlighting Young’s impressive composure and presence on the field.
Young quarterback Bryce Young has consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience and composure throughout the Panthers’ training camp. Despite a series of setbacks in the preseason game against the New York Giants, Young remained unruffled and continued to perform admirably. His decision-making abilities and communication skills were also praised by Coach Reich, further solidifying Young’s potential as a formidable force within the Panthers’ offense.
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