South Charlotte Today

In total, Bryce Young and the first-team offense played a mere 12 snaps in the Panthers preseason. One dozen chances to put all they've imbued this offseason on display and into game action. One drive to prove they had consumed Dave Canales' playbook and are ready to take it to the regular season. And in 12 plays, they went 85 yards, picked up five first downs, and capped it with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Young to Jordan Matthews.

The Bills weren't playing starters, but Canales didn't seem bothered by that.

"Couldn't have dreamt it better," Canales said of the starters' opening drive. "A nice long drive, 12 plays to get the guys some good work, get them tired in the drive."

While Young's 12 preseason snaps ahead of his second year are less than a quarter of what he played as a rookie in the same three-game stretch, the productive result told a much different story. With his dozen plays, Young touched on a little bit of everything Canales and staff have wanted to see out of the former No. 1 overall pick.

"A fourth-down conversion in there, but saw him extend plays with his legs, keeping his eyes down the field, finding guys," Canales bragged of his quarterback, "and you can see the carry-over from practice to the game of people creating space, the play after the play."

"Those are things that are so critical for us. He handled the run game with great expertise and got us to the right runs in those situations."

On Young's first play from scrimmage, he slipped a little while turning but quickly caught himself, sending one in the flat to Matthews for eight yards. It was really his only slip of the day.

After harping all offseason on using his legs and finding "the second play," Young was able to do just that—whether it was on bootlegs or designed scrambles. On his second play from scrimmage, Young bided time behind the line until he had rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders on an intermediate crosser for a 13-yard gain.

On his next designed passing play—a second-and-6 from one yard shy of midfield—Young came within inches of being sacked for a significant loss but managed to step out of traffic and scramble upfield back to the original line of scrimmage. There was no gain on this play which set up a third-and-long; however, after taking a franchise-tying worst 62 sacks last season simply living another down with no loss was seen as progress.

Two plays later facing fourth-and-3, Young felt pressure coming from behind and scrambled left. He took half a second to turn his hips before throwing downfield while backpedaling hitting Diontae Johnson downfield for a 17-yard gain and conversion.

On this particular play Canales noted: "Poise eyes downfield that aggressive nature but being able do it within confines what's smartest thing do situation."

The conversion more than any other highlighted Panthers' hope for Young trust offense importantly himself season finding explosives may not appear obvious first always there Furthermore plan shorten throwing time seconds gives young passer internal clock If clock runs out start second one

"We talk about that all time playing time clock when it's over starting second play," said Young.

"They've talked me about lot just trying listen them It's great job scramble drill Diontae everyone else…we work practice So good see come life game again something build off"

Added Johnson: "Just trying stay phase When quarterback breaks pocket want keep eyes field Guys our side job remember rules breaks pocket try open make play did that"

One later naked boot found Adam Thielen bubble old man group showed still young enough move flash getting upfield for yard gain

"We had two plays different looks got great job great Adam did sitting area practice rep we'd had practice good translate" shared

Drive capped eight-yard dart middle score

For offense effective rely sorts plays Johnson Thielen perhaps importantly run game Asking each unit rely well stress working outside league overcomplicate itself death times willingness effective instead flashy can't understated attitude permeated Panthers offseason showing moments Saturday like Ikem Ekwonu pushing aside Bills players defend Jonathan Mingo suplex tackle Chuba Hubbard running straight times first drive preseason yards flip field position

"To honest everyone's going opinion us Everyone's probably write think throw around this But each day week we're going keep chopping tree we'll show best whoever's ready we'll ready" said Hubbard

Added Johnson: "We know offense different Obviously didn't full starting offense out there able still move ball make plays end zone mean that's really matters putting those putting those film seeing correct next time go back"

Young didn't under center during any largely part Austin Corbett absence trip good reason stay back Charlotte however son Cooper John born Saturday introduced world halftime

"We felt like chemistry snap sometimes don't want under new center explained So kind featured pistol gun things gives clean snap point"

For brief period considered even playing other due Corbett guard Damien Lewis absence family matter But Chandler Zavala Andrew Raym helped confidence admitted

"I wanted skill players Chuba Miles Diontae Adam That group look systems"

There set number snaps drives committed insisting mostly feel chance pre-coin toss could difference locker room guys getting ready purpose doing bonus extended tap fitness level focus calls way

But when ended touchdown easy decision let final bow regular season Now turn sights really matters Sept New Orleans opening divisional matchup Saints won't count momentum lessons gathered Crescent City something build sure improve doesn't carry over next week doesn't carry over season recenter take bad moving forward weeks focus New Orleans