KD: Speaking of the salary cap situation, I’ve noticed the new GM David Gettleman signed some low-cost options in D.J. Moore and Drayton Florence. How do you see yourself fitting in with all the changes in the defensive backfield and the loss of Chris Gamble?

CM: Well, Gam (Chris Gamble) was our number one guy. Last year, Gam got hurt and he was our number one guy, so I plan to get out there and feed off what I did last year towards the end of the year. He was a vocal leader both on and off the field and helped everyone buy-in to what we were doing at the cornerback position. Drayton’s been in the league for a long time and I feel like if I just go out there and do my part we’ll be fine. I think we’ve got as good a group of corners overall as anyone.

KD: You’ve been in the league a little while now and have played under both John Fox and Ron Rivera – both defensive-minded coaches. What do you see as the biggest difference between the two in how they approach the game.

CM: Oh man, they’re both very similar in how they approach things. The only difference really is that Ron Rivera actually played in the NFL! I think he has more of a feel for his players…when they’re hurt or injured and he knows how to get guys back (on the playing field). So I think he’s more in tune with the players since he’s been there and done that.

KD: Great point. He was part of that dominant ’85 Bears defense.

Oct 7, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (41) returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

CM: YEAH! Rivera knows where his players are coming from and hopefully I’ll be able to play 12 or 13 years or more because of it. They really are a lot more similar than different.

KD: What’s the biggest challenge in defending the slot as opposed to the outside?

CM: Oh, man, those guys in the slot – they can go anywhere! They’re off the line of scrimmage so it’s harder to get your hands on them to begin with, They’ve got a lot of room in there. I have a high respect for anyone defending the slot. When I first got here I was on the outside and have since played nickel too and I’m still wondering why nickel corners don’t get paid more than the guys on the outside. I HIGHLY respect anyone out there playing the nickel spot. Guys like Wes Welker – they go ANYWHERE on the field. Say, you see guys going on an out-route and you cover them and they turn it to an in-route!

KD: Yeah, the pro QBs are so accurate in their throws and people like Welker are so quick, it has to be a nightmare.

CM: Well, those guys on the outside – at least you have the sideline which limits where they can go.

KD: What’s the biggest need you see the Panthers have on defense and in the secondary in particular?

CM: We’ve got some good guys, we just need someone to step up. Everyone’s got their role, but since we lost Gam that leaves a big pair of shoes to fill so we’ve just gotta pick up the slack.

Before I get into the interview itself, I’d just like to thank Mr. Munnerlyn for his time and willingness to take a part of his day and spend it talking with me, a lowly Carolina Panthers writer, to do an interview.

I couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant young man to speak with than Captain Munnerlyn. He was very nice, polite, and just seems like an upbeat individual overall. Instead of a “reporter/interviewee” type of situation, I felt like I was speaking with an old friend or acquaintance. I just can’t say enough good things about him but will just finish by saying he’s an OUTSTANDING ambassador for the Panthers specifically and for the NFL in general. Although we spoke together for less than half an hour, I could tell he’s a very bright guy as well – something you can’t really see watching a football game without studying him in-depth – but he made quite a positive impression and by extension, he comes across as someone who ANY team would love to have in the locker room.

The key to the interview below – “KD” is me – Ken Dye – and “CM” is Captain Munnerlyn:

KD: Whom did you idolize growing up?

CM: Oh, Deion Sanders – Prime Time.

KD: Shocker there….one of the best ever. When did you decide to give football a try for yourself?

CM: When I was a kid, at 4 years old. I started in the local Pop Warner league from my hometown of Mobile, Alabama.

KD: Ah, you DID start young! With that in mind, there’s been a lot in the news about player safety…for instance the President saying he wouldn’t let his son play football if he had a son…what do you say to parents who express concern about their child playing football?

CM: Hmm. Well the biggest thing is to get them in the right program. Make sure they’re taught how to properly tackle, and to do things the right way and have proper coaching. I have a son and if I have to go out there and show them how to tackle and keep your head up or do other things, I will.

KD: Who was your personal mentor growing up playing football?

November 4, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (41) runs with the ball against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

CM: Well I’ve got a personal trainer who is a coach back in Alabama and who isn’t much older than me; he taught me a lot. He’s actually been training me since I was in the seventh grade. My high school coach took me under his wing and in the tenth grade he changed me from wide receiver to cornerback.

KD: Yeah, I wanted to ask: Why Cornerback? It’s a very difficult and demanding position; one that’s under-appreciated I think, and often not mentioned unless they get burned or something! What made you switch from receiver to corner?

CM: Ah…well I’ll tell you a story…my high school coach helped me there. I went to his office and talked to him…I just said “Hey coach, I want to get the ball more” and he said “Oh, really? Okay, okay then – I’ll give you a BLUE jersey!” – a blue jersey is defense – and I told him “I don’t wanna play defense.” He said “Well, tomorrow you’re gonna play corner and if you don’t get the ball then, it’s your OWN fault!” Bein’ a receiver, you always want the ball but changing my position to cornerback you gotta go and get the ball.

KD: Well, I’d say you took to it quite nicely! What would you say is the strongest part of your game?

CM: Press coverage. Man-to-man press coverage. I’m a physical guy, and I’ll play off-coverage or whatever I’m asked to do, but I like to get in guys’ faces and put my hands on them and mess with their timing with the quarterback and force the receiver into going somewhere he doesn’t want to go.

KD: I guess if you can do that, the quarterback may go somewhere else with the ball then too.

CM: Yeah exactly, or I put myself in a position to make a play if he does throw my way. A lot of receivers I face these days are 6’2″ or 6’3″ so I can block and get under those guys, making it hard for them to get off the line.

KD: Yeah, I know you’re about 5’8″ but you’re strong at what, 190 or 195 pounds?

CM: Yeah I’m about 195.

KD: That’s a pretty solid, strong frame! I know you’ve just recently signed a 1-year contract. Does it have anything in there that allows you to play next year, or are you going to have to go through the same thing all over again?

CM: Well I want to be a Carolina Panther for a long time. We were working on a 3-year deal, but things weren’t quite there financially so we went ahead with the one-year deal. I know about the cap situation and hopefully, I’ll stay healthy and keep playing and let what I do on the field do my talking for me for the next time and get the extension that I want.

…more to come….Follow me on Twitter @Ken_Dye

This should come as welcome news for Panthers fans as the team was able to hold on to a local favorite at an inexpensive price.

Munnerlyn probably saw the handwriting on the wall as any contract leverage he might have had went out the window with the signings of CB Drayton Florence and D.J. Moore within the past week.

The 5’8″ Munnerlyn is one of the two shortest corners in the NFL but was forced to play outside last season due to injuries elsewhere. He is best-suited for a nickel or dime sub-package facing a slot receiver, who are usually smaller guys than those on the outside.

The slot receiver, due to NFL rules about formations, is actually considered part of the backfield as he lines up at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage so as not to “cover” the tackle or tight end. What it means in practice is that they generally don’t have to worry as much about press coverage since they have room to maneuver against the cornerback tasked with defending him.

By the same token, the corner covering the slot receiver need not be a physical corner – just able to run with the slot receiver. That’s within Munnerlyn’s skill set and his knowledge of Rivera’s defensive system means much less of a learning curve than those rookies or free agents who may come in to the system for the first time this year.

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Ronnie Brown (30) is tackled by Oakland Raiders strong safety Mike Mitchell (34) on a run during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers also signed free agent safety Mike Mitchell, the former Oakland Raider backup but with some possible upside. With the generally mediocre play from both safety positions last season, his is a welcome addition to the roster and a player whose full potential may yet be untapped.

Finally, in a developing story, the Panthers have made an offer to former first-round WR Ted Ginn, jr. of the San Francisco 49′ers. Ginn is an accomplished and dangerous kick returner, but has never broken out as a dependable wide receiver although he has deep-threat speed. One thing I’ve noticed is that it takes him a little time to get up to top speed, so his acceleration curve as it were is not the best. He has the great straight-line speed you want in a receiver, but lacks some quickness in short spaces and his hands aren’t the best but perhaps with some attention and coaching he could emerge as a good situational player and contribute where WR Louis Murphy failed to do last year – and was subsequently released.

It’s far from a done deal, but the Panthers are interested and Rivera’s excited about the possibility. GM David Gettleman continues to work under a tight salary cap space and seems to be doing the most with what he has to work with.

Keep an eye out for Ginn’s name in coming days to see if he accepts the 3-year contract offer from the Carolina Panthers.