In a year where the world has been filled with so much change and uncertainty due to COVID-19, there is a "new normal" as the Carolina Panthers are finally reporting to training camp just under six weeks before the NFL season is set to begin.
Along with having to adjust to social distancing and staying safe when returning to Bank of America Stadium, the Panthers defense will also have a new look of players and coaches after an overhaul of the roster this offseason.
One of the very few constants is defensive tackle Kawann Short, who is now the longest-tenured player on Carolina's defense and the only returning team captain from 2019.
"It's a business. Whether those guys went to a different team or they're not playing anymore, I still consider those guys a captain in life," Short said about his former teammates during a Sunday Zoom press conference. "Whatever they're going to do in life, I feel they're going to be ahead of the curve in knowing they can conquer anything they take on."
Short, 31, is entering his ninth NFL season and is coming back from a torn rotator cuff, which caused him to miss all but two games last season.
"I feel good," Short said. "The shoulder repair was an awesome success."
A year ago, the Panthers defensive front was projected to be one of the league's best being led by Short, Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe and Mario Addison, but after Short's injury, they struggled mightily and Short is the only player remaining of that front-four.
"I'm the type of guy that tries to lead by example, and now going into that eighth season and really being a vet around here now, I have to step up and lead vocally," Short said. "So just showing Derrick (Brown) and all those guys what I've done to put myself in position, and what they can do to help me, what I can do to help them... we've just got to work together."
The Panthers drafted Brown out of Auburn with the seventh overall pick in the draft this spring, and he is expected to start immediately alongside Short and second-year defensive end Brian Burns in a 3-4 scheme this season.
"Just seeing him (Derrick Brown) around and what he's done from the day he got drafted to today, he just put himself in a (good) position," Short said. "A guy willing to work and do whatever it takes to help anyone. Whether they double team us or not, I don't know but we just gotta be ready."
Linebacker Shaq Thompson, one of the few other returning defensive players thinks Short being back on the field will be a huge gain in itself.
“We love to have KK back, we’re happy to have KK back,” Thompson said. "He’s a tremendous help to this defense...as you guys know, KK is a big part of this defense. To have him teaching Derrick Brown, Derrick Brown’s a special young guy. I think he’s going to be a tremendous player in this league and just having those guys and [the other defensive line players], it’s going to be tremendous.”
Without Short, Carolina allowed 31 rushing touchdowns last season, tied for the most ever in league history, and will look to approve upon that with the young talent and new defensive coordinator Phil Snow, who arrives from Baylor.
"Phil (Snow) is a guy that is coming with energy," Short said. "He is one of those guys that doesn't back down from a challenge. Right before the COVID thing happened, just talking to him in person, I'm fired up. He's ready and has the right tools to make this a great defense and we're ready to complete the task he's got for us. His willingness is second to none so I think a lot of guys bought into the process and it's going to show this year."
Short knows last season will have to put to the side as they move forward.
"You just got to be better than last year," Short said. "We gotta be disciplined. We all have to come in with the right mindset and the most common goal is to win. You've got to hold each other accountable. As a defense, we gotta be able to take criticism and take that and make it motivation."
It's unsure how good the Panthers defense will be right out the gate with all the change, especially with all the training limitations due to COVID-19, but one thing is for sure: nobody knows what to expect in 2020.
“It’s just a crazy year," Short said. "2020 is kind of undefeated, man.”