Chris Long: Bryce Young Went Toe To Toe With Patrick Mahomes

[Icege]

 

• Calls Spags "possibly one of the best DC's" in the league that will blitz and play man
• Felt there were moments in 2023 vs. GB where Bryce showed he was a pro QB
• Was not flukey; Bryce shredded KC through the air and played even better in the second half after the defense had made adjustments
• Made "jaw dropping throws" in the second half (the usual Bryce haters kept saying they were "normal" and "regular NFL" throws... hm... I'll take the word of a former NFL defender over a few disgruntled Huddlers)
• KC secondary was having issues that we weren't used to seeing and the guy that exposed it was the "little guy" that was benched
• 4th & 3 to Thielen "was incredible"
• At the end of Q3, the last throw he makes was one of his best throws all day according to Long
• Bryce was blitzed on 38% of his drop backs, was 11 of 13 for 135yds and a TD.
• Reviewed some of the issues KC is facing (secondary and tackle play, Pacheco + Omenihu out)
• Gave flowers to the KC kicker subbed in for Butker
• Shouted out Noah Gray for his performance

[TD alt]

[mav1234]

I think a big difference between players and fans is that we're most impressed by those crazy passes that seem thrown like missiles for 30 yards down the field. BY can't really do that... Instead, he throws with anticipation, where he's throwing the ball before a receiver is anywhere near where the route finishes (this alone isn't that uncommon). But when and how he does that is really impressive I think, and what a lot of former players are commenting on. With that kind of passing you have to be decisive, which he finally has been the last few games.

[MasterAwesome]

25 minutes ago, mav1234 said:

I think a big difference between players and fans is that we're most impressed by those crazy passes that seem thrown like missiles for 30 yards down the field. BY can't really do that... Instead, he throws with anticipation, where he's throwing the ball before a receiver is anywhere near where the route finishes (this alone isn't that uncommon). But when and how he does that is really impressive I think, and what a lot of former players are commenting on. With that kind of passing you have to be decisive, which he finally has been the last few games.

I agree with everything you said, but just with the caveat that these kinds of anticipation throws require rapport, familiarity, confidence, synergy, etc. between QB and WR and Bryce has an entirely new receiving corps this year other than Thielen who just returned last game.  Also, several of them are rookies who needed time to get acclimated to the NFL and develop their route running (which is extremely important for anticipation throws).  So it does seem like he "finally" has become more decisive the last few games, but it was also to be expected.  Not to sound like I'm putting the onus entirely on the receivers though; it's a two-way street and Bryce clearly lacked the confidence to pull the trigger early in the season.

[electro's horse]