This is the third part of 7-part series focusing on the position groups of the Carolina Panthers:
The Carolina Panthers secondary had a few nice moments in 2011, but when you fire the group's position coach, it basically suggests things didn't go all that well.
Some players, such as cornerback Chris Gamble and safety Sherrod Martin, are secure in their jobs, but the unit could see some changes. Actually, it already has.
Charlotte native Steve Wilks came over from the San Diego Chargers to replace Ron Meeks, who was fired two weeks ago. The Panthers ranked 24th in pass defense, allowing 246.8 yards passing per contest. The Chargers, however, ranked 13th in the NFL under Wilks' direction.
Rivera originally tried to bring Wilks with him from San Diego last year when he got the Panthers' gig but was denied. With Wilks' contract up, he was free to make the move, and swiftly accepted Rivera's offer.
In 2010, the Chargers had the top-ranked defense in the NFL. That served as some motivation for Wilks and Rivera to join forces again.
"I hope we can pick up where we left off because when we were last together, we had the number one defense in the National Football League," Wilks told Panthers.com. "We're truly expecting great things."
Great things means getting two things: First, a higher level of play across the board for the secondary; and then the unit must perform consistently.
Gamble had a much better season this past fall than in 2010. He started all 15 games he played picking up 45 tackles, deflecting 12 passes, and intercepting three passes. Gamble, who just completed his eighth year out of Ohio State, has been a mainstay having started 113 games for the Panthers. He has 493 career tackles and his 27 career interceptions are a franchise record.
But Rivera and Wilks aren't concerned about Gamble, nor are they worried about Martin, the team's free safety.
Martin has made continual progress in his three NFL seasons, and this past campaign had 67 tackles, deflected eight passes, and equaled Gamble for the team lead with three interceptions. He started every game, as well.
Strong safety Charles Godfrey should also retain his starting job after registering 84 tackles, deflecting seven passes, forcing a fumble and grabbing a pair of interceptions. Godfrey has played four seasons, so the team certainly knows what he can and can't do.
Jordan Pugh did some nice things at safety in his second season. He started once and saw action in 12 games, but there's no guarantee he will be back. Again, much of it depends on the moves the team makes in the offseason.
The depth at the corners with Josh Thomas, a rookie this past fall, veteran Darius Butler (six starts), rookie R.J. Sanford, and injured rookie Brandon Hogan is a question mark.
Butler has experience and the organization is intrigued by Hogan, a fourth-round pick last April from West Virginia. But what happens to them depends on how the Panthers deal with cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
Munnerlyn started all 14 games he played in his third season out of South Carolina. He was in on 58 tackles, deflected five passes, forced a fumble and recovered. Munnerlyn is a physical player with leadership qualities, but unless he takes his game to the next level, he might fall into a reserve role if the team drafts a cornerback or acquires one in another manner.
That Munnerlyn had no interceptions is a legitimate concern. NFL draft sites and certain national analysts are suggesting Carolina should draft a cornerback this April, perhaps Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama. Many believe that Munnerlyn might be a decent backup in the league, but isn't a viable starter.
Wilks appears willing to give him a chance.
"Just seeing him on film, I love the way he plays with passion and heart," Wilks recently told the Charlotte Observer. "Those are the kind of guys I love being around."
Munnerlyn still needs to produce, and since that's no guarantee, the Panthers likely will bring in someone to challenge him.
