When Panthers coaches lost track of the defensive back rotation against Buffalo on Thursday, it meant nickel back Captain Munnerlyn was in for only five snaps — fewest of any of the team’s defensive players.
Had the mix-up happened last year, Munnerlyn would have griped to head coach Ron Rivera — and the media — about his playing time.
But it’s a different Munnerlyn who showed up for training camp this summer, one who is both lighter in body and lighter in spirit.
Gone is the brooding player who vented publicly last year as he lost reps to linebacker Shaq Thompson in a “big nickel” package.