North Charlotte Today

Coaches and analysts in the National Football League have long sought to determine the ideal amount of time a quarterback should take to throw the ball. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel summarized it succinctly: "Before he's sacked."

While this statement is simple, achieving it requires substantial effort. The Carolina Panthers are currently addressing this issue with new head coach Dave Canales aiming to reduce quarterback Bryce Young's throwing time to 2.7 seconds following a rookie season where he was sacked 62 times.

During the NFL's annual scouting combine, coaches from various teams shared insights on their quarterback situations. Coaches Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs, Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Mike McDaniel provided perspectives on evaluating and molding quarterbacks for the NFL.

These coaches manage top talents including two No. 1 overall picks, Heisman finalists, a Heisman winner, and college championship quarterbacks. Despite collegiate success, transitioning to professional play involves adapting to faster gameplay and increased competition.

Doug Pederson highlighted differences such as hash marks and field space in college football compared to the NFL, emphasizing that "space and time" along with higher skill levels at every position impact performance.

Andy Reid noted that an offensive line's quality significantly affects a quarterback's evaluation and ability. The Panthers invested over $150 million this offseason to improve their offensive line by adding guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt.

Reid emphasized that several factors influence a quarterback's success beyond just release time: staff stability, offense type, willingness to work with strengths and weaknesses, and support from coaching staff all play crucial roles.

McDaniel pointed out that quick releases help minimize negative plays caused by formidable pass rushers. For instance, Tua Tagovailoa reduced his average throwing time each season under McDaniel’s guidance.

Panthers pass rusher DJ Wonnum acknowledged how challenging it is for defenders when quarterbacks release the ball quickly. However, McDaniel cautioned against setting strict mandates on release times as many variables can affect play execution.

The Panthers aim to lower Bryce Young’s throwing time during the offseason for better regular-season performance while acknowledging that ultimately these efforts are geared towards avoiding sacks.

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