Tre Boston on a young Panthers secondary: ‘I like that we’re fast’

It’s been five years since the Panthers had a strong defensive backfield. That group of veteran ballhawks were a key part of one of the best defenses of the last decade. Guys like Josh Norman and Peanut Tillman are long gone, though. Heading into the 2020 season, Tre Boston is the only defensive back on the team who was there to see it.

Boston says he wants to build this franchise back up. While this current crop of DBs doesn’t have the experience or the turnover-creating ability that 2015 squad had, one thing they have no shortage of is speed. After Monday’s first padded practice, Boston said he likes that this secondary is fast and young.

Boston on what he likes about the secondary: “I like that we’re fast. We’re a fast unit. We’re young. That has an advantage to it.”

— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 17, 2020

That speed was the main theme of this year’s draft. The team picked four DBs in their all-defense draft class. Jeremy Chinn, Troy Pride Jr., Kenny Robinson and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III are all quality athletes.

A lot will depend on how fast they can develop. Given no preseason games, Boston and the other veterans will need to coach them up quick.

So far, at least one of them has been standing out. Boston, Juston Burris and several other veterans on the team have raved about Chinn.