The quarterback sneak is one of the most routine and simplest yet most important play calls for any NFL team. But one club already appears to have a major issue on that front.
The Carolina Panthers selected Alabama product Bryce Young with the No. 1 selection in this year’s draft. His talent level has never been in question, but many analysts and scouts have expressed concern about Young’s frame (5-foot-10, 204 pounds).
As noted in an article by ESPN following Carolina’s home loss to the New Orleans Saints, Young’s smaller frame makes a quarterback sneak awfully difficult for the Panthers to execute:
“Biggest hole in the game plan: What to do on third-and-short. The Panthers can’t use the quarterback sneak because Young (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) just isn’t big enough to make that work. Plus, he doesn’t have experience at it. So Carolina had to bring in backup quarterback Andy Dalton on those plays. The first time there was a false start. The second time Dalton pitched to running back Miles Sanders for a first down. But this could be an issue moving forward.”
The quarterback sneak is awfully difficult to stop in the NFL, and the numbers back up just how safe of a play call it is. That’s taking into account the fact that most NFL quarterbacks are at least 6-foot-2 in height.
But Young is considerably smaller compared to the average NFL quarterback. His 5-foot-10 height makes it that much more difficult to reach for the first down marker compared to a QB that’s 6-foot-2 or taller.
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At any rate, the Panthers can always use veteran Andy Dalton (6-foot-20) for quarterback sneaks when the occasion calls for it. For now, the team’s main focus has to be on helping Young improve as a passer. Because so far, the former Crimson Tide’s play has left a lot to be desired.
