Panthers: Captain Munnerlyn ready to start fresh in 2018
The Carolina Panthers cornerback is ready to bounce back in 2018….
It is safe to say Carolina Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn is ready to turn the page on 2017. After what was a disappointing season last year, the veteran is rejuvenated and ready to make an impact for the team as Max Henson notes.
"“I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in a long time. I’m ready to roll,” said Munnerlyn, who has pleased coaches with a solid start to spring practices ahead of his 10th season. “Not to say I wasn’t in shape last year, but we have a new defensive coordinator and things will probably go a little differently. I wanted to come in this year in tiptop shape for whatever my role is.”"
Lack of playing time was the root of Munnerlyn’s problems last year. The veteran was expecting to come in and contribute a bit more, but those opportunities did not come his way.
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For the 2017 season, he notched 24 tackles and two sacks in 14 games played, none of which he started.
It was a stark contrast to numbers he has put up for the majority of his career, one that began in 2009. He was drafted in the seventh round (No. 216 overall) out of the University of South Carolina. While with the Gamecocks, he was named First-team All-SEC in 2007.
Munnerlyn has been working with the first defensive group for OTAs and it seems very likely he could find ample time on the playing field. He has been the team’s go-to option at nickel, which could put him in a position for a big year.
Whatever he does for the Carolina Panthers in 2018, Captain Munnerlyn is ready to take on the challenge. If he can put up numbers similar to the ones he put up earlier in his career, he could be in for a big year.