For all the blame that could go around regarding the Carolina Panthers' lackluster performance against the New York Jets Saturday, rookie quarterback Bryce Young is dodging most of it. Well, as much as anyone can avoid after losing 27-0 in the team's first preseason game. 

In fact, despite only gaining 21 yards on 4-for-6 passes, Young earned praise. And making it even more ironic, the No. 1 overall pick is garnered support from the position group that deserves the blame for the offense's lack of production — the offensive line. Specifically veteran offensive tackle Cam Erving. 

"Poise, man. The kid's poised,'' Erving said after the game. "He lives in the moment. That's all you can ask from a quarterback. He has a short-term memory. He did everything he was supposed to do. He processed everything.

"But us as an O-line, we have to do better.''

Young was hit several times during his short three-series debut. The most vicious hit came from edge rusher Solomon Thomas, who beat left tackle Ikem Ekwonu with an inside move on the first attempt before leveling Young. 

If there were doubts that Young wouldn't be able to hold up in the NFL, the hits he took Saturday prove that, at least in the short term, the small quarterback will be just fine. 

The hit was so hard it forced Panthers head coach Frank Reich to ask how his 22-year-old quarterback was doing. Young said he was doing just fine. 

Everyone is going to write about Young's disappointing stat line. That criticism is fair. However, the real reason behind Young's pretty forgettable debut was the lack of quality play from the offensive line. 

And those responsible for the team's half-hearted result were still eager to compliment the quarterback whom the future depends on. It shows how many people not only believe in Young but expect him to be the face of the franchise for seasons to come. 

"The s— wasn't good enough," Erving said. "Top to bottom, no matter if it's preseason, regular season, the s— was not good enough. Any level, from any position, myself included especially my f—ing self. All we can do is try to regroup and fix it.''

Panthers fall flat in Bryce Young’s debut against Jets; no cause for worry

For all the fanfare Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young possessed going into the first preseason game of his NFL career, it didn’t go as well as planned.

Feature image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.