The biggest question mark of the upcoming Carolina Panthers season is the uncertainty that surrounds the defensive secondary. Not only do the Panthers have three rookie corners on the team, established veteran safeties have also changed responsibilities.

Kurt Coleman addressed those concerns head on today from Carolina Panthers training camp in Spartanburg, SC.

“What people don’t realize is, there was a lot of times that I was playing strong safety last year. And in the Arizona game I had the two picks at strong safety. So, I am able to make the plays.”

The safety positions within the Panthers defense are somewhat interchangeable depending on the match up they are looking for. Often times Coleman was indeed playing strong safety, so his move to a full time strong safety this season isn’t completely new to him.

Coleman also spoke to the inexperienced rookies taking such an important role on the team after losing Josh Norman.

“It took Josh four seasons to have a superstar caliber season” Coleman said. “In this defense, and really in life, if you work hard and have the faith in yourself through the opportunities and obstacles, you will be successful.”

“We have new people, and that is ok. I’m excited. We will have new thievery.”

The Carolina Panthers defensive secondary will again reside on the metaphorical street “Thieves Avenue” within the Panthers locker room. This is a name they all take great pride in.

Coleman went on to state goals for this season, this new group of thieves.

“We want to lead the league in takeaways. We want to be very effective. If the QB is throwing the ball deep, we want to be there. We gotta be able to take the ball away. That is the mindset.”

Coleman’s veteran leadership in the young group of secondary could prove to be the difference for the Carolina Panthers this season.