Jeremy Chinn Describes His Role in Ejiro Evero's Defense

A singular name for Chinn's position doesn't do it justice.

Jeremy Chinn has played all over the place in his NFL career and that won't change under this new coaching staff. What will change is the percentage of plays that he's lined up in the box.

"It's been a little bit different than what it's been the past two years with [Ejiro] Evero's creativity," Chinn said following Wednesday practice at Fan Fest. "Really playing with my strengths, not so far back away from the ball, a little bit closer so that's probably the biggest difference."

A player as talented as Chinn needs to be closer to the ball. We saw it at times as a rookie, but for whatever reason, the previous regime felt he would be more productive at safety. Chinn is good enough in pass coverage to make an impact as a nickel or perhaps as an inside backer, but it's not at a level where he should be relied on.

Even to this day, Chinn's role is still a little unclear and will likely remain so until we see him in action in the regular season but he did his best to describe it.

"If I'm out somewhere and someone asks I just tell them I play safety. It's a lot simpler that way." 

For those who have a better understanding of the game, he explains it a little differently. 

"A nickel. A dime. I feel like there's so many, I feel like that just kind of puts it in a box a little bit. I mean, there's so many areas that Evero moves me around the field, so just saying I'll just be a nickel, it doesn't really do it justice."

As linebackers coach Peter Hansen stated a couple months back Chinn is a man of many capes. And head coach Frank Reich said that after he and Evero got to know him, his strengths, and seeing what he can do to impact the game, there is "probably more roles" for Chinn than they initially thought.

"We think very highly of him," Evero said. "I think he's a heck of a player. He's a weapon that we're definitely going to try to utilize and I know that he's an asset for us to have. I don't want to get too much into the specifics but we value his skillset. He's a guy that can do a lot of different things. You just got to have him on the field and we're going to figure that out as we work."

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on Twitter:

Facebook - @PanthersOnSI

Twitter - @SI_Panthers and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.