Panthers HC Frank Reich holding on to play-calling duties despite slow start
In the Carolina Panthers' 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, what stood out was the offense. But not for good reason. The Panthers couldn't reach the endzone until around two minutes left in the fourth quarter when Bryce Young threw a three-yard pass to wide receiver Adam Thielen. For the game, the Saints limited the Panthers […]
In the Carolina Panthers' 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, what stood out was the offense.
But not for good reason. The Panthers couldn't reach the endzone until around two minutes left in the fourth quarter when Bryce Young threw a three-yard pass to wide receiver Adam Thielen.
For the game, the Saints limited the Panthers to 239 yards of total offense and a 29 percent third-down rate. Though those aren't the numbers Frank Reich and his staff were looking for, the Panthers head coach doesn't foresee a change in play-calling soon.
“Yeah, that’s not a change I would make in-game,” he replied. “I’ve mentioned this before—the way we call plays, I’m calling the plays, but it’s very collaborative. I’m talkin’ to those guys on the sideline. I’m the one who calls ’em. I’m always gonna do what I think is best for the team.
“Right now, I think it’s best for the team that I’m callin’ the plays. I’m confident in the play-calling. We all gotta get better, but I’m not ready to do anything there. Thomas is a great coach. One day, I want him to call it. When that will be—I don’t know. But, right now, it’s a lot of things. It’s not the play-calling.”
The Panthers' offense on Monday was another dink-and-dunk affair. Though the Panthers entered Saints territory several times, the offense walked away with merely three field goals kicked by Eddy Pineiro.
The offense looked hesitant to take deep shots down the field. After the game, Young took the blame for the lack of execution on plays that sought to stretch the field. Still, much of the blame resides on Reich's playcalling, which often took the conservative approach as opposed to allowing Young to showcase the arm talent that has been discussed to great length.
For the game, Young finished the game with 153 yards and one touchdown on 22 of 33 passes. He held a passer rating of 87.1.
To unlock the next level in Young's game, Reich will have to be more inventive with the playcalling, allowing the No. 1 overall pick the freedom to make the same type of plays he did while at Alabama.
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Feature image via Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.
