Chris Gamble appears headed toward a big payday.
The Carolina Panthers' cornerback is in the final year of his contract and is having a standout season, combining with cornerbacks Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall and safeties Chris Harris and Charles Godfrey to form one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL.
“That chemistry is just there right now,” said Gamble. “It feels like a big family back there. Everybody is trying to go hard every play and you don't want to let anybody down. We're having fun at the same time.”
The Panthers rank eighth in the NFL in pass defense and face an Oakland offense Sunday that ranks 30th in passing. Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No.1 pick in the 2007 draft, is struggling in his first season as a starter, completing a league-low 48.6 percent of his passes.
Gamble is probably closer to being a shutdown corner than he's ever been. He has 11 passes defensed, just one shy of the career high he set as a rookie in 2004.
But he's disappointed that he's dropped – by his count – five or six potential pass interceptions.
“I feel real bad (about that) right now,” he said. “In training camp, I was catching everything. In the games, I've dropped them. I don't know why.”
Gamble returned his lone interception of the season for 19 yards against Minnesota. His 18 interceptions rank second in team history behind the 25 Eric Davis had from 1996-2000.
Gamble also has recovered two fumbles. He returned the first for a touchdown against San Diego. The second, against Chicago, set up a Carolina score.
Receiver Steve Smith said Gamble is playing well so far, but stopped short of saying this is Gamble's best season.
“Talk to me at the end of the year,” said Smith.
Gamble said he feels much better about his performance this year than the past two seasons, when he was hampered by injuries, including having to play part of last season with a cast on his hand.
“My confidence is up there,” he said. “I feel like every time I go out there, I want to go against the best and I want them to throw at me. (I want to) just compete and have fun.”
Gamble has been sporting a new look the past several weeks after having the dreadlocks he wore his first four seasons cut off.
“I just got tired of it and wanted a new look,” he said. “It was time for it to come off.”
One change Gamble said he doesn't want to make after this season is going to a new team.
He can't be sure that's not going to happen, however. The contracts of two other prominent starters, defensive end Julius Peppers and left tackle Jordan Gross, also expire after this season and there's no certainty that the Panthers will be able to keep all three because of salary-cap considerations.
Gamble, 25, will become an unrestricted free agent on Feb.27 if the Panthers don't re-sign him. He likely would be a hot commodity on the open market. Corners with his combination of ability, experience and youth are rarely available in free agency and are among the most highly paid free agents.
For now, Gamble said he's focused on helping Carolina build on its 6-2 start.
“I know it's going to come,” he said of dealing with his next contract. “I try not to think about that.”
But his first preference is clear.
“I like it here in Charlotte,” he said. “I love the team. I like the organization. I've been here all my years. I want to stay here. I don't want to have to go to another team and learn that system.
“But if anything happens, I'm going to take it wherever I go and just be that humble guy, do what I can do, and just pray and keep playing football.”
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