It's way too soon for the Panthers (and everyone else!) to be giving up on Bryce Young
This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Gooood morning, winners! Happy Friday. You made it through the week! I hope you’ve got a great weekend ahead of you.
The streets are saying Bryce Young is cooked. And, by the streets, I mean most of y’all. People seem to think the Carolina Panthers’ No. 1 overall pick is already done despite all the failures of his franchise.
Our own Robert Zeglinski makes a pretty good case for why he’s giving up hope and you probably should, too.
“Against the NFL’s 30th-ranked defense by DVOA efficiency, Young completed just 21-of-38 passes for 185 yards. Folks, that is an average of 4.8 yards per pass attempt. It is tantamount to a quarterback essentially never challenging the defense. Young himself left more than a few throws on the field, especially a smattering of ducks to open receivers in a winnable game for Carolina. I mean, c’mon. The guy starting for the other team will likely be a glorified career backup. Even in a tough situation, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect Young to play better.”
He’s right. It’s not unreasonable to expect better from Young. We should expect better.
But I just can’t give up hope yet. Not until the team around him is better.
Get this: Young was pressured by the Bears on 32 percent of his dropbacks on Thursday night, per ESPN’s Courtney Ronin. The Bears had the lowest pressure rate in the NFL coming into the game.
Part of that is the addition of Montez Sweat, surely. But the Panthers have been bad at protecting Young all year — he’s already been sacked 29 times and we’re only a little halfway through the season.
Look, I’m not saying Young will be some sort of All-Pro player or something. He may never be good! All I’m saying is having a little patience is fine. Even if it’s not as fun as pointing and laughing while saying “WOW the No. 1 overall pick lost to Tyson Bagent!”
Lane Kiffin is the worst
Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
The audio of the conversation (that wasn’t really a conversation) between Lane Kiffin and DeSanto Rollins leaked online.
We knew about the conversation previously through transcripts provided by ESPN, but hearing it made things so much worse.
EXCLUSIVE: FOS has obtained audio of the heated exchange between Lane Kiffin and DT DeSanto Rollins after Rollins' 'mental health break.'
Ole Miss and Kiffin have motioned to dismiss a $40M lawsuit from Rollins.
Full audio from @byajperez » https://t.co/DTEtRFYPxA pic.twitter.com/8GMoQuvTRi
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 9, 2023
For those unaware, Kiffin allegedly booted Rollins off the team for not meeting with him for weeks while he was in the middle of a mental health crisis. Rollins is suing the school but Kiffin and Ole Miss filed a motion to dismiss the $40 million lawsuit on Thursday, per ESPN’s Heather Dinich.
Moments like this are why it’s so important to have the actual athletes in the room when talking about their rights. Only they truly know the conditions in which they work. Only they can describe the malfeasance they see from those meant to care for them.
Some coaches care, sure. But to so many, these athletes are only tools for them. They’re just workers. And ends to a mean. Kiffin proved that.
That’s exactly why it’s time to unionize, as my colleague Blake Schuster wrote when this all first surfaced.
“The alleged interaction at Ole Miss is just a small glimpse into the much larger dysfunction college athletes have to accept if they want to play in school. But Kiffin’s words will ring loud and clear around the sport.
“See ya, Go, go, and guess what, we can kick you off the team, so go read your f***ing rights about mental health, we can kick you off the team,” Kiffin allegedly said.
He might not have meant to advocate players’ rights, but in an absurd power trip, the Ole Miss boss provided one of the best examples for why they’re so desperately needed.”
READ MORE: Lane Kiffin’s alleged rant is yet another example of why college athletes should unionize
Connor Bedard is the real deal
(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Connor Bedard is putting 18-year-olds everywhere to shame.
The dude just became the third-youngest player in NHL history to score four points in a single game with two goals and two assists against the Lightning in the last 17 minutes or so of the game. He’s 18 years and 115 days old.
Connor Bedard finished tonight’s game with 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists), making him the 3rd-youngest player (18 years, 115 days old) to record a 4-point game in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/JbNL7XHHj2
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 10, 2023
What were y’all doing at 18 years old? I remember what I was doing. Playing NBA 2K and leaving Doritos stains on my PlayStation controllers. Nothing nearly as cool as this.
It’s been nearly 80 years since someone else did this.
The ranking:
— Bep Guidolin (18 years, 58 days, 1944)
— Ted Kennedy (18 years, 27 days, 1944)
— Connor Bedard (18 years, 115 days, 2023)
This dude is special. If you had any skepticism about it before, you should probably drop it now.
Photo of the week
Anthony Edwards had himself quite the week for the Timberwolves. He locked up Jayson Tatum for the win against the Celtics, who were previously undefeated at the time.
Then he completely dominated the Pelicans on both sides of the ball and capped it off with this windmill dunk. Look at this beauty.
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Yeah, that dude is flying. Throw it in the Louvre. I’m starting to buy into the Ant-Man = MJ thing.
Quick, point yourself out in the crowd. I’ll go first. This is me.
Keep your eyes glued to the Wolves this season. Edwards is putting on a show every night.
Quick hits: Travis Kelce WYD?!? … 7 contenders that should trade for *checks notes* Alex Caruso?!? … and more
— Travis Kelce missed the Eras Tour show in Brazil. Bruh. You gotta show up for your lady. To be fair, though, he had a good reason he couldn’t make it. Mary Clarke has more here.
— Bryan Kalbrosky ranked the 7 contenders that should consider trading for Alex Caruso. Folks, let’s get the Carushow back on a good team. Please.
— Our Meghan Hall had an excellent conversation with Colie Edison on the WNBA’s rapid growth. Check that out.
—*Psst* Caitlin Clark is still the best show in basketball. Pass it down. Mitchell Northam has more.
— Does Al Michaels have his energy back? He roasted Lee Corso and this poor Bears fan all at once. Cory Woodruff has more.
— The NFL’s explanation on roughing the passer makes it even more confusing. Robert Zeglinski has more.
That’s all, folks. Enjoy your weekend! Let’s chat again on Monday. Until then, peace. Be safe out there.
-Sykes