Here are the top takeaways and observations from a clean and crisp outing for the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday:
Bryce Young bounces back in the red zone
After a relatively rough ride on Monday, the rookie quarterback bounced back this morning. Young shined in the team’s red zone drills, completing eight of his 13 throws while displaying some impressive touch into some tight windows.
Head coach Frank Reich spoke about the outing:
“I thought Bryce had a good today in the red zone. You know, when you get down there—really tight windows, right? As we all know. And so, we’re at a stage where you have to try things out. Like, we’re gonna tell him, ‘Hey, challenge yourself. See if you can put the ball in that place, in that window, against that coverage. We need to find those things out now. What are we comfortable with? Did you like the way he ran that route?’
“So, I thought Bryce did a great job at that today as did all the quarterbacks. And you throw enough down there, you’re gonna have some good ones and some bad ones. But I thought it was a good day.”
As did Young:
“There’s ups and downs, there’s always stuff to learn, you take every rep in stride. You have initial reactions to stuff on the field and then the real learning and being able to see is when you roll back the tape—which, obviously, we haven’t had the chance to do yet.
“You have those initial reactions. You feel it out on the field and you kinda just go play by play and turn the page. And now that practice is over, we’re gonna get into meetings, we’re gonna watch it back.”
Deion Jones likes the feel in Spartanburg
The former Atlanta Falcons linebacker, who agreed to terms with the Panthers on Monday, said he likes his potential fit in his new digs:
“Man, everything just made sense,” he replied. “They made me feel welcome. Giving me an opportunity. And, like I said, just ready to get back to ball. Get back playin’. Get back flyin’ around.”
Frank Reich is highly impressed (and somewhat surprised) by Frankie Luvu
When asked about the rising 26-year-old linebacker, Reich waxed poetic about how much he means to the team:
“He’s a unique guy. Frankie’s so unique. That guy—he has so much energy, such a good player, so versatile. I was talkin’ to Scott [Fitterer] the other day and I said, ‘How did we end up with this guy?’ Man, this was like the steal of the century gettin’ Frankie on this team.
“Love his leadership, love his plays, consistency, his aggressiveness. Yeah, we’re in a good place with Frankie.”
Chandler Zavala is making "really good progress"
Reich also spoke about the progress of Zavala, who is working his way back from a hamstring tweak:
“Yeah, he’s making good progress. Actually, I think he’s made really good progress in the last couple days. And man, we’re really eager to see him get back out there. Think that he can really help us. But we don’t wanna rush it. You gotta be smart.
“So, talkin’ to our medical team this morning—maybe start to see him out on the field doin’ a little something maybe later in the week or early next week. That’s all kinda . . . we’ll wait and see. But he is making good progress.”
Frank Reich and Thomas Brown are getting closer
Melding together two very different offensive styles isn’t easy. But Reich said his relationship with offensive coordinator Thomas Brown is strengthening:
“I could literally stand here for the next hour and talk about all the positive traits that he brings. He’s such a great leader. He’s got a brilliant mind. His philosophy on offense, from coming and working with [Sean] McVay for a few years and some of the other offenses he’s been in, is a little different. And that diversity of thought has blended really well.
“He’s not only a great leader—but, like, his and mine relationship has gotten really super tight pretty fast. And I think the trust level between the two of us is really high. And we can have good conversations, we can have difficult conversations. Yeah, I agree or don’t agree—talkin’ back like we should be able to. I think he’s gonna be a great leader for our offense.”
Notable observations
New linebacker Deion Jones wearing Brian Burns’ old jersey. pic.twitter.com/Fab69jWBL5
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 1, 2023
So no Haynes, Henderson, or Peoples in practice today.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 1, 2023
Original coach Dom Capers and GM Bill Polian back where it all started.
Polian’s here doing @SiriusXMNFL with the great @alexmarvez today. Should be a must-listen. pic.twitter.com/5uX9IwmoEy
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 1, 2023
Spidey Senses Tingling… pic.twitter.com/7Wd28ZH4sz
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 1, 2023
Luke Kuechly in the house, hanging with assistant GM Dan Morgan. pic.twitter.com/dabZdLHZnO
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 1, 2023
Whoa, great diving catch by WR Gary Jennings diving for an Andy Dalton sideline ball. Former WVU Mountaineer. #Panthers
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 1, 2023
First 11v11 period: 7 plays, 3 rushes, 4 passes. Young 3-4 on the series, including 25 yarder to Thielen.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 1, 2023
Again. https://t.co/QhAyFspY16
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 1, 2023
Now Young finds Hayden Hurst for a TD #Panthers
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 1, 2023
Terrace Marshall Jr makes acrobatic catch of deep throw from Andy Dalton (corrected from original post). He needs to step up with plays like that this year. #Panthers
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 1, 2023
Great placement across the middle by Young to hit Ian Young in stride on a crosser. In stride might be an understatement. Right on him. Also nice touch to Shenault on the sideline a few throws earlier.
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 1, 2023
Always caution fans not to read too much into individual plays that get tweeted out in camp.
But that 7-on-7 segment of RZ was impressive for Bryce Young, hitting Chark on back to back TDs and squeezing it into a tight spot to Hurst for another.
Again, grain of salt. Still.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 1, 2023
Ickey Ekwonu and Brian Burns get into it after a rep where Young faced a blitz and was slightly off to a sliding Mingo who dropped the ball. Next play, Ekwonu jumps offsides. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 1, 2023
Keith Taylor makes a great break on the ball to intercept Bryce Young in the end zone. Nice toe tap to stay in bounds.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 1, 2023
.@KRTaylor_ with a snag‼️ pic.twitter.com/iJIhzAOZTi
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 1, 2023
Laviska Shenault runs in for a TD during a red zone drill, flashes a celebration dance with Ikem Ekwonu hyping him up nearby.
Shenault said to expect dancing this season… he’s getting an early start
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) August 1, 2023
A Viska move 🕺@Viska2live pic.twitter.com/zAYlVsm5TZ
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 1, 2023
Third-round pick DJ Johnson with a batted pass sent out by Andy Dalton in 11 on 11. Got praise from sideline after the play. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 1, 2023
