CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tre Boston is as fun-loving as any member of the Carolina Panthers. Seldom do you see him without that infectious smile or cracking jokes with one of his teammates.
This was one of those rare moments.
Boston was businesslike, almost defiant, as he proclaimed this year he wouldn’t lose the starting free safety job as he did last season.
“That’s going to be my spot,’’ he said. “Trust me, I’m not losing it this year.’’
You can’t blame Boston for feeling this way. He thought the job was his when the Panthers began training camp last season.
After all, he’d started the final four regular season games and two playoff games in 2014. He had two interceptions, including an 84-yarder returned for a touchdown against Atlanta, during that stretch. The team went 5-1.
Even when the Panthers signed journeyman safety Kurt Coleman in free agency Boston felt comfortable the job was his.
Then it wasn’t.
Boston’s only start last season came in the regular-season finale when coaches rested Coleman, who was nursing a foot injury.
“Last year when I thought it was my job I got it taken from me,’’ Boston said. “I should have gone harder. This year, I’m competing like it’s anybody’s job. That’s what they’re going to see.
“They’re going to see a dog that demands his spot this year, somebody that won’t let somebody second be even close to him.’’
With Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman now in Washington and three rookies battling journeyman Robert McClain for the corner spot opposite Bene Benwikere, the Panthers are counting on Boston and Coleman to anchor what basically is a rebuilt secondary.
You can’t even count Benwikere as a returning starter since he was used primarily as the nickel the past two seasons.
With Coleman moving from free safety to strong to replace Roman Harper, the entire secondary will have a different player at every position from the one that started in Super Bowl 50.
Perhaps that’s why Boston, 23, was more stoic than normal on this day. He admittedly was overconfident a year ago. He calls this “his time” with the 33-year-old Harper, “Uncle Rome’’ as he refers to him, gone.
He can’t wait to play alongside Coleman, who led the team in interceptions with seven last season, instead of behind him.
“I almost feel we’re the same guy when we’re out there, some guys that can fly around and make plays,’’ Boston said. “So me and Kurt, it’s kind of like having twins out there.’’
They definitely don’t look alike. Boston has dreadlocks that reach halfway down his back. Coleman is more clean cut.
But both are showing leadership qualities that will be needed after the team opted not to re-sign Harper.
“Roman was such a fixture back there,’’ coach Ron Rivera said. “When you have a veteran guy like that who gets it, who understands it, he communicates it as well as he does, hopefully those other young guys can emulate that.’’
Boston is doing his best. He’s taking nothing for granted.
“I hope the coaches see that in me,’’ he said. “They see the guy that is out there making calls for our defense, and I want to make sure when this year comes around there’s not any doubt who the starters are.’’