In the opening to Zeise’s Q&A, he noted that the secondary looks to be in good shape.

The defense has been very hard to peg because so many key guys are hurt, but the secondary looks like it will be much improved (I know. Given how bad the safeties played last year, that isn’t saying much.)

Eric Thatcher is healthy and hammering people again. Mike Phillips looks like he regained his 2005 pre-injury form and Aaron Berry is a tough guy with the right mix of feistiness and finesse and he’s the kind of talented trash talker every secondary can use. He’s going to be a good — maybe a great — one.

And then there is Elijah Fields, who finally is starting to look the part. He really has come on strong and that is good news for the Panthers because I really believe he can be a big time player for this team.

The new secondary coach Chris Ball, is also enthusiastic about them.

Ball also is excited about the talent level of the younger players in the secondary, particularly cornerbacks Jovani Chappell, Aaron Berry and Aaron Smith and safety Elijah Fields. He said all four have improved should be ready to play significant roles in the fall.

“Jovani is sort of that swing player, he’s played both sides, he’s played some safety — he’s done a great job,” Ball said.

“Elijah and Aaron Berry are just very talented kids. They both are working hard, they both have a chance to do some really special things. And Aaron Smith, for a kid who has never played corner much before, has really come on. He’s a great athlete, he’s just trying to catch up with the mental aspects of the position.”

Is it too early to wonder how the safeties will do in run defense support?