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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Panthers training camp tracker: Observations and takeaways from Day 5

Bryce Young Panthers Ian Young Frank Reich Darin Gantt Frankie Luvu Nick Carboni Andy Dalton Laviska Shenault Bill Polian
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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

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

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

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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"

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

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

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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

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