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Quick Hits: Where the Team Stands, Ickey's Struggles, Three QBs + More

Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich met with the media Sunday afternoon.
Quick Hits: Where the Team Stands, Ickey's Struggles, Three QBs + More
Quick Hits: Where the Team Stands, Ickey's Struggles, Three QBs + More

In this story:

If the plan is to play Bryce Young and starters vs. Lions

"Haven't totally nailed it down. Still talking to the coaches about that. Scott [Fitterer] and I visited for a while last night just talking about the plan for this game. Getting closer to finalizing that plan. But I would anticipate it'll be similar to what we've done the last two games, but again we'll kind of work out the details here in the next 24 hours."

Thoughts on where the team is at

"Obviously, we're not going to really know until we get to the regular season. But I feel good about every step of the process. About what we're doing in practice, in the meetings, in every phase, in every area. Feel like we've made good progress as far as cleaning up details of what it takes to play winning football. Until you get to the regular season, you don't really fully know until your tested in every way."

How much having a young franchise QB impacts the possibility of keeping three QBs

"Every decision is as we say multi-factorial. Premium on that position. You like to be able to develop guys. I think Matt's done a good job and has continued to develop, so I feel good about the steps he's taken."

Ikem Ekwonu struggling through two preseason games

"A lot of confidence in Ickey. I mean, I have no concerns about him playing winning football and being one of the true anchors to our offensive line. The year he had last year, the training camp that he's had...I think not only is he going to be a really good player for us, I think he's going to be a good leader. We have had a couple miscues that he's been involved in, but those things will get worked out."

Shi Smith's overall camp/preseason

"Shi is very talented. I thought he made a couple really nice plays. The off-schedule catch was a big catch. I think that's shown consistently. He's made a bunch of plays in practice as well, making progress. And this is everybody, not just Shi, but we still have things to clean up. Shi has things to clean up and we're always shooting for consistency. We want the big play, but we also want the consistent play."

How Chandler Zavala played

"Looked pretty good. He'll have another opportunity to get some more reps, but it was a good first step."

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Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.