Steve is not the only Smith who wants to be a big part of this team

[Pantherman]

Reggie Smith is an NFL starting caliber Safety. Might not be an All-Pro, but he's shown he's solid and right now the only proven starting caliber Safety we got is Godfrey, and lots of people around here even doubt that. I think Smith has a better than average chance of starting at some point for us.

Ya Reggie Smith can be the next Mike Minter for this team. Mike Minter wasn't never an all pro. But Minter was a solid and good safety for us over the years. Hopefully Reggie can do that aswell.

[PantherPhann89]

We've got some good competition at Safety. I hope that our Secondary is improved although I still question our #2 CB play.

[jarhead]

Time will tell.....I think the position is up for grabs

[panthers55]

Keep in mind that our secondary got abused because we had little pass rush and everyone had to play run defense first. We sat back in a passive bend don't break cover 2 zone and when we blitzed were highly ineffective because we didn't shut down the running back dump off passes and TE seam routes. Then when they caught the ball underneath we were awful in limiting YAC and had a ton of broken and even missing coverage assignments.

Why will be different? It starts with a new secondary coach and new scheme. It continues with a better pass rush scheme through a better front seven and blitzing linebackers. There will be a renewed emphasis on tackling and fundamentals. And we will have improved personnel by the additions we have made at corner and safety.

The question isn't whether we will be better. The question is how much better and how will players step up when the inevitable injuries occur although hopefully we won't have so many at a few key positions like last year.

[carolinarolls]

This is a guy, a new guy who sees some pretty dang great stuff going on around him and sounds inspired. That is how I choose to look at it anyway. It could be a guy who once had a lot of promise, has since been "recruited over" and now released by a pretty good defense who is positive enough personally to perceive Carolina as getting another chance.

Either way, Reggie has chosen to be vocal about his future and apparently he feels like his opportunity is bolstered by what is going on around him and the apparent turmoil and question marks at the DB positions.

I don't have an opinion really on Reggie but I like that he apparently sees a real opportunity here in Charlotte.