Thomas Davis at SS

Davis could end at strong safety

Panthers' top pick works with 2nd team, but will push to start

PAT YASINSKAS

Staff Writer

SPARTANBURG - If you've been wondering where the Carolina Panthers plan to use first-round pick Thomas Davis, a pretty strong indication came Saturday morning.

When the Panthers lined up for their first defensive play, Davis, who has been mentioned as a candidate for duty at safety and linebacker, wasn't on the field. But that likely will be temporary. Davis worked as the second-team strong safety.

The more telling sign was that strong safety Mike Minter worked at free safety. That's a pretty good clue the plan is for Davis to start at strong safety. After all, teams don't take players in the first round to sit them.

Colin Branch, last year's starting free safety, worked at strong safety with the first team. "Right now, strong safety is Colin's job," Davis said. "I'm just trying to learn from those guys and get a feel for what's going on."

It's pretty clear the Panthers have big plans for Davis.

"I hope that Thomas can come in and do that strong safety thing and keep me over there," Minter said. "I've been ready to go back if I have to."

Davis is hoping there's no need for Minter to switch back to the strong side.

"It's definitely a vote of confidence to hear a guy like Mike Minter say something like that," Davis said. "For me, it's going to motivate me to go out and work harder so I can go out and compete for that position."

The idea of using Davis at linebacker still is possible. He'll get some work as a linebacker on third-down situations.

 

I don't get why Branch is in at SS on the first team...my guess is he would go to second team FS if Davis is going to play some SS

Having Davis & Minter on the field together is a pretty cool feeling...and Manning in at Nickel, it's the strongest secondary, on paper, the Panthers have seen.

 

And I bet opposing WR wouldn't have much interest in going across the middle

 

I'm surprised that McCree and/or Bashir wouldn't be working first team SS.

But it's not surprising that they'd start him out at safety, they'd said that's what their initial focus would be.
Once they get into the nickel packages, I'm sure he'll work in there some as well.

 

I never did drink the cool aid.....I thought all along he was drafted as a safety.

 

I thought Branch would be a better strong safety than free safety anyway, although I know the company line is that the positions are interchangable in our D.

 

agree

 

Bashir is a true FS. Long and lanky with some speed, but not a big hitter. McCree is more of a SS type. I would think guess the final depth chart would be Minter and Bashir at FS, and Davis and either Branch/McCree at SS.

 

Minter has been a good player for this team for a lot of years and a guy I hope retires here. That being said I am not sure I want him at free safety. I think his coverage skills were a bit of a liability at strong safety. Prehaps the plan is to play with three corners a lot shifting Minter back to strong and Davis to linebacker. Minter and Davis both in at the same time should be stout against the run anyway.