As Panthers cornerback Josh Norman was opining Thursday night about Carolina critics and Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant, safety Kurt Coleman was dressing slowly.

When Norman's holding court, there's no reason to rush.

"I could listen to this all day," Coleman said.

It's one of the interesting dynamics of the Panthers' locker room. The secondary is full of good talkers, but when cameras come around, guys like Coleman let Norman shine in the spotlight.

"I've gotta let JNo be JNo because that's what makes him great. He is the best cornerback in this league," Coleman said.

And Coleman is the best free safety in the league, at least, according to the latest Pro Bowl polls. Those were released a day before he sparked the Panthers toward their Thanksgiving drubbing of Dallas, so now even more of the nation knows his name.

Coleman's 36-yard pick-6 was his fifth interception of the year, a single-season career high, and tied for most in the league. But when you ask about his exceptional first season with the Panthers, Coleman isn't like his talkative teammate.

"I don't like to ride the wave of emotions. I like to meditate, really be a thinker because the game is a cerebral game," Coleman said. "As physical as it is, there's a lot of mental components that go into it, so for me being a safety, I have to be mentally keyed into a lot of things. I try not to get too amped up."

"I know on some big plays, I'm flexing on people, I'm yelling, but I try to stay even keel for the most part."

 

While Norman's rides on Delta and Cam Newton's dance moves get more attention, Coleman's flexes have been a solid addition to Carolina celebrations. It was something that started when he was with the Eagles and continued even after he messed up a muscle.

"I had two really nice biceps at the time, and then I tore my left one, but I still like to do it because it's something that stands out," Coleman said. "Be myself, be original."

If only the rest of us could have just one really nice biceps like this: