CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The only starter in the Carolina Panthers' secondary that wasn't replaced at some point last season was strong safety Roman Harper, mainly because there wasn't a player to challenge him.

Kurt Coleman could be that player.

The Panthers signed Coleman to a two-year deal on Monday. While the free agent from Kansas City has started at strong and free safety during his five-year NFL career, it's hard to believe he was brought in to replace free safety Tre Boston.

Carolina's secondary began playing better last season when Boston, a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina, replaced Thomas DeCoud as the starter with four games left in the regular season.

The speed and energy he brought was key.

Harper, 32, is at the end of his career and is in the last year of his contract. While the Panthers love his leadership, he's not a fast as he once was.

Coleman should at least push Harper for a starting job. Although he started only three games for the Chiefs last season, he had three interceptions, a forced fumbled and a fumble recovery.

"I make plays when I get in there," Coleman said on Monday at Bank of America Stadium.

Coleman also understands the Carolina defense run by coordinator Sean McDermott. He played under McDermott at Philadelphia as a rookie out of Ohio State in 2010.

"I know what Sean adds to this defense," Coleman said. "He allows his playmakers to make plays. He puts them in position to make plays. ...When you watch them, the thing that pops out is they're tough. I think I can add to that toughness."

Coleman has started 32 games during his past five seasons. He started 27 during the 2011 and 2012 seasons at Philadelphia.

He believes he can be a starter at Carolina.

"This is a great opportunity for me," he said. "I want to start again and they believe I can come in here and have the opportunity to. That's all I wanted.

"Then you look at where this team is headed. I don't think this team is headed backwards. They're headed forwards."

The Panthers return all 11 starters from a defense that finished 10th in the NFL this past season. The goal to improve that unit is to create more competition.

"Ultimately, as a player, I want the best guys to win because it's going to make us the best team," Coleman said.

Coleman also is part of a movement to upgrade special teams that struggled last season. He played on kickoff coverage and punt returns at Kansas City.

Another upgrade in that area came with kick return specialist Ted Ginn Jr., who like Coleman, is a former Ohio State player.

Coleman now gives the Panthers four ex-Buckeyes on their roster along with Ginn, guard Andrew Norwell and wide receiver Philly Brown.

"This is the most I've ever been surrounded by Buckeyes," Coleman said. "It feels good."

That the Panthers are trying to improve in all areas, including special teams, makes him feel even better.

"That adds to the greatness of what this team and what the coaches and GM are really trying to build here ... just a total, caliber team that can go not only into the playoffs, but deep and then win a championship," Coleman said.

"This is a great fit for me to help this defense, help this team get to the next platform. Hopefully, we can get to the Super Bowl and win it."