JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST


Carolina Panthers rookie Lathan Ransom looks to use his versatility as a pass defender and run stopper in his fight to move up the depth chart at safety.

“Little things” make Lathan Ransom happy. 

The Carolina Panthers rookie said after Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp workout that he wakes up “with a smile on my face every day.”

Take Monday, for instance. 

Ransom and his teammates participated in NFL media obligations, including taping their Monday Night Football introduction. Standing on the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium, Ransom stepped back, folded his hands in front and started channeling his performance for the Week 12 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers: “Lathan Ransom … The Ohio State,” he said, grinning. “That’s it. It probably sounded a little more serious, but that’s what it was.” 

“It’s the little things” that help the Tuscon, Arizona, native “live my dream.” 

Working as fourth safety 

From the start of the offseason program until the regular-season opener on Sept. 7, Ransom, coming off a national championship campaign with Ohio State, promised to remain “humble and just learn from the guys.” 

Lining up as the Panthers’ fourth safety, the fourth-round draft pick welcomes the pressure to hold off the competition. In five seasons with the Buckeyes, Ransom compiled 218 tackles (135 solo), 15 passes defended and one punt block, although he said Tuesday he blocked two. Ransom recorded one interception in his final three seasons and forced six fumbles, including a team-best three last season.

With the Panthers amassing just 17 turnovers last season, coach Dave Canales seeks on-field mathematicians to figure out the equation for creating takeaways. It’s been a major problem for a while. The Panthers produced just 61 in their last 68 games.  

Carolina’s new math formula calls for at least 60 attempts before calculating the correct answer. 

“It’s a mentality,” Canales said. “Every time a running back or receiver has the ball, we have to attack it. You have to have like 60 or 70 attempts to get one punch out. 
“That’s kind of a stat we’ve found out about over time. That’s a lot of attempts and guys have to have that on their minds.” 

In his second season, Canales described defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s offseason approach for creating turnovers as “a crazy, crazy emphasis. 

“We attacked it last year, and I’ve challenged the guys. Being more creative as a coaching staff to get the guys to understand how game-changing these turnovers can be.” 

‘He’s really taking to the coaching’

With the players separated into position groups, Ransom lined up behind presumed starters Tre’von Moehrig, a key free-agent signing, seven-year veteran Nick Scott, and second-year player Demani Richardson.  

In a pass drill, Ransom ran to the side of rookie Trevian Thomas, who was the receiver. A sharp pass from long snapper/practice quarterback J.J. Jansen appeared on target until Ransom reached out to deflect it. 

Self-described as a jack-of-all-trades safety, Ransom split time playing in the box and high safety for the Buckeyes. At high safety, the third-team All-American participated in 1,005 snaps, compared to 711 in the box. He also lined up at nickel 632 times.

Canales eventually envisions a similar role. 

“Combination of both (positions),” Canales said. That’s just our system. Our guys are kinda interchangeable. I can’t think of a guy that represents this rookie class better than him. The way he prepares. He’s really taking to the coaching, grasping the scheme.”

And focusing on the little things. 

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