South Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE — Every time Diontae Johnson breaks off the line, he has only one thought in his mind: "the ball is coming my way."

Statistically and logistically speaking, that's not always possible or even feasible. There are multiple receivers, only one ball, and actually getting the ball is largely dependent on getting open. But Johnson skews the average. He has a knack for getting wide open more often than not. ESPN reports that over the last two years, Johnson has an open score of 94, highest in the NFL during that span.

Getting open doesn't necessarily correlate to targets, but Johnson's philosophy remains steadfast: lose the defender, prepare for the ball and the ball will come.

"I try to have in the back of my head, the ball is coming my way every time. So that allows me to go out there and play full speed," Johnson explained Thursday, following the Panthers' second day of training camp. "When I'm at that line, I always have a plan. And that allows me to just play with confidence, knowing I'm going to get open and expect the ball to come my way at all times.

"I try not to play like the ball (is) not coming my way. You play like that; the ball pops up on you; you're going to be shocked. Just try to stay locked in at all times."

Having someone with the ability to be open most of the time creates a new dynamic for quarterback Bryce Young. The second-year passer is learning a new offense under a new staff and now must learn what Dave Canales calls "a special mover" because he's "really explosive, really fast through his turns."

Added Young: "Diontae is very special in how he moves, how he creates separations, how he runs routes…He's very wiry in his movements—quick twitch—the way he can get in and out of breaks, sell routes.

"Everyone has things that—it's not good or bad—it's just different that you have to kind of adjust to. And for Diontae, it's just movement—the quick twitch—how quick he is in and out of breaks. So it's just kind of accounting for that."

Learning from someone considered "a special mover" involves adjustments from both sides.

"It's my job to adjust to that and make sure I'm able to have the same timing—to get the ball out early—to know where he's going to be," Young explained. "And it takes time. I think we're growing in that.

"It's going take more time, more reps, more conversations...he's someone very special...and quarterbacks need adapt...what makes him different."

This challenge isn't mastered by every quarterback easily. During five seasons with Pittsburgh Steelers—Johnson had 80-plus receptions three times while experiencing lower numbers during seasons with three different starting quarterbacks rotating through their roster.

In 2022 catching balls from Kenny Pickett mostly saw Johnson having 86 receptions on 147 targets covering 882 yards without touchdowns compared against best seasons playing alongside six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger resulting into achieving remarkable stats such as scoring seven touchdowns amidst making around eighty-eight receptions accumulating approximately nine hundred twenty-three yards followed next year improving upon surpassing thousand-yard mark contributing eight touchdowns spread across hundred-seven catches yielding eleven-hundred sixty-one yards overall performance-wise highlighting importance synergy between players crucially impacting outcomes considerably...

For Canales watching chemistry grow among them emphasizes post-play interactions wherein post-route discussions between Young alongside other receivers including Adam Thielen reviewing previous reps signifies progressive development towards reaching mutual understanding significantly enhancing collective efforts aimed at achieving synchronized teamwork beneficial towards accomplishing shared goals optimally effectively…

"The road ahead still long but rays light peeking through." Wednesday’s first practice showcased example whereby escaping pocket pressure rolling left returning original position throwing spot resulted timely completion enabling peeling off defenders securing catch running bounds exhibiting promising potential indicating positive trajectory heading forward likely benefiting Panthers mutually reinforcing relationship building foundational aspects conducive fostering future success collectively collaboratively ultimately contributing positively towards overall team performance aspirations..."

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