Published: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 / Updated: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 12:23 AM

Panthers have decisions to make with Godfrey, Martin

CHARLOTTE -- Charles Godfrey said Monday he is close to coming back.

What he's coming back to, he has no idea.

The one-time Carolina Panthers starting free safety has gone from player with promise to afterthought quickly, in part because of the inspired play of rookie Sherrod Martin.

Martin has made consistent plays since replacing Godfrey, who suffered a high ankle sprain on Oct. 25 against Buffalo and has been inactive ever since. Godfrey has only ventured outside to try to run in recent days, and said he feels like he is getting closer to a return.

“I'm almost there,” Godfrey said. “I have to go out and make a couple cuts and some backpedals and come out of my break and stuff like that. So I'm real close.”

That led to the inevitable question, because the reality is Martin has made more plays in four games as starter than Godfrey had in 22.

Martin has intercepted three passes and broken up four more in his appearance as a starter.

Godfrey has broken up eight passes and picked one off since he was handed the starting job last year, after he was chosen in the third round of the draft.

So while it makes sense to say a starter shouldn't lose a job because of injury, that might not be the case. Panthers coach John Fox hasn't said which way he is leaning, but he always has been a “hot hand” coach (think back to his playing Vinny Testaverde in 2007), which could complicate Godfrey's job description.

“I'm not expecting (anything),” Godfrey said when asked what role he thought he would walk back into.

“I have worked for whatever I've got. That's one thing about any football player. I don't want it handed to me. When I get back, I will go hard and let everything play out.

“I'm not worried about will it be me and Sherrod or will it be me and Chris Harris. I don't get into all that. I just do what I got to do and go hard and let everything pan out.”

While it's highly unlikely that strong safety Harris is going anywhere (though he hasn't been the same consistent playmaker this year), it's reasonable to believe Martin's play has earned him the right to remain with the starters as well.

He also has shown a knack for making some hits, and simply seems more physical than Godfrey at the moment.

“Sherrod did a great job,” Godfrey said. “He did what he was supposed to do. He's supposed to come in and play. That's what we drafted him for. He's a good safety. He's a good football player and did a great job.

“But as far as how it goes, I don't take care of that. I will let the coaches take care of that. Whenever I get back and get well, then we'll see how it plays out.”

What makes their paths so interesting is the way they have crossed once they arrived in Charlotte.

Godfrey turned 24 the day the Panthers beat the Falcons (Martin celebrated with a pick). Martin turned 25 in October.

Godfrey was an athletic corner the Panthers hoped to convert to safety. Martin was an athletic safety they tried to convert to corner.

In the end, hitting one at either spot would have them covered.

Martin looked tentative in training camp as a corner, and was ultimately beaten out for the third job by seventh-rounder Captain Munnerlyn. Inside, his range is evident, and he simply looks more at ease being able to see everything in front of him. Could Godfrey give the Panthers a better option at corner than the diminutive Munnerlyn? Perhaps, and it likely is something the team will think about in the future.

“Everything has been good; it was a matter of getting the terminology down and understanding and knowing what is going on and figure out what they wanted from me,” Martin said of his transition inside. “The more you do something, the more comfortable and the more confident you are.

“What I'm lacking is experience in the NFL, so the more opportunities I get out there, the more chances I have to better myself and help the team.”

Likewise, Godfrey shrugged when asked if he thought he might ultimately switch back to his old spot.

“If you think about it, at safety I come down and cover tight end sometimes or sometimes I get stuck on a receiver,” he said. “It's something I have to keep in my package to be able to play corner and safety. Because you never know. I might have to go and play corner. It's one of those bonuses I do have.

“I was thinking it was a great opportunity for me. I will be one of those guys who does whatever it takes. When they called me and asked me if I wanted to play safety and if they were going to draft me and I was like, ‘Yeah, fine.'”

Godfrey said he has learned some things from sitting back watching — he hasn't traveled to road games while he's rehabbing — which he hopes will help when he comes back.

“I do think you pick up a lot stepping back and watching the game,” he said.

“It's different than being out there. It is good. I have picked up some things and watched how quarterbacks work and what they're looking at, and watched receivers and seen what they're trying to read. So I think it will make me a better player.”

Whether it gets him on the field remains to be seen.

Martin said Godfrey has been good for his development, as the two talk through plays on the sidelines. He said their relationship hasn't grown awkward, leaving the future in the hands of others.

“It's been a good experience and I think I have something to build off of and show I can help out and contribute a little bit,” Martin said. “(The future), that's one of those things that is out of my control. When I came in, it was just come in and compete. I just have to keep competing.

“If I'm playing out there on the field, I just have to come in and compete. If I'm not playing, I just have to be ready when my number is called.”