The Panthers are here in New Jersey for their second preseason game. And we have five things to help put their training camp in perspective …
- There was a play in camp that can encapsulate how Bryce Young is doing that was described to me—and on it, how advanced he is for a 21-year-old rookie was there in vivid color for everyone watching. On the play, the pocket collapsed around the 5'10" dynamo. As that was happening, Young stepped up, eyes downfield, processed what was around him and unleashed a ball toward the far sideline. At his release point, the receiver was still a step and a half from making his break. As the receiver turned, the ball was arriving. And the chains were moving. In one fell swoop, Young showed the nerve to stand in against the rush, the feet to move within the pocket, the focus and toughness to stay with the play, and the anticipation to throw to a spot. It was, simply, a veteran throw, and another example of how Young has come as advertised. There are still fair questions on how his frame will hold up to an NFL pounding. But there’s no question that, to this point, he’s living up to being selected No. 1 in the draft (and I say that with the team fully acknowledging that the normal rookie growing pains are coming).
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