We may get to a point where we can opt into mobile notifications for every time Bryce Young has a ball batted down. But Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich probably won’t be subscribing to that service.
Young, during Tuesday’s opening installment of mandatory minicamp, had one of his passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage. When asked by Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer if the rejection worried him, Reich expressed no concerns.
“No, Scott,” he replied. “It really doesn’t because I actually thought we would’ve seen a whole lot more balls batted down—because we’re not goin’ live and we’re tellin’ ’em not to hit the quarterback. So the defensive line—they rush, then they pull off and they’re standin’ there, ya know, more guys standing with their hands up. So, to be quite honest, I expected a whole lot more balls batted down from all the quarterbacks. And so, yeah, didn’t think much about it. Thought the quarterbacks are seeing the holes well.”
At 5-foot-10 and around 200 pounds, Young—no matter how great he potentially becomes—will always have to face doubts about his size. But Reich, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, offensive line coach James Campen and Young himself have all shook off any doubt to this point.
Oh, and just for the record, 13-year veteran and 6-foot-2 Andy Dalton also had a pass batted down on the afternoon.
