Panthers safety Mike Minter has a unique perspective on the
word pressure. Asked if the Panthers were feeling any pressure
this week as they prepare for what probably is a must-win game
at Atlanta in terms of playoff aspirations, Minter shook his
head no.
Victory was just out of reach for Minter and the Panthers last
week. "I don't see it as pressure," said Minter. "If we win,
we go on. If we lose, we go home."
Sounds like the very definition of pressure. But just like
he does on the football field, Minter held his ground.
"Pressure is the other team being on your one-yard line with
four tries in the fourth quarter," he explained. "Preparing
for this game isn't pressure, though. If everybody does their
job and doesn't try to do too much, we're going to be fine."
The Panthers were doing more than fine when they were 7-2 nine
games into the season. But losses in three of the last six
have put them in a position in which winning in Atlanta, where
they have lost nine games in 10 tries, is the only way the
team can control its own destiny if it is to make the postseason
for the second time in three seasons.
Despite the 3-3 record during the last six games, Minter doesn't
feel the Panthers have been inconsistent as of late.
Minter and his teammates face a must-win in Atlanta. "I don't
think you can say that," he said. "One of the teams we lost
to (Chicago) has clinched a bye. They're the second seed. The
other one (Tampa Bay) is winning our division and the other
one (Dallas) is fighting for a playoff spot."
The last one is the one that stings the most, though. Carolina
jumped out to a 10-0 lead on Dallas. The Cowboys rallied behind
a huge rushing performance by Julius Jones, however, and lassoed
a 24-20 victory at Bank of America Stadium with a last-minute
touchdown. At the time, Minter said it was the most painful
loss of his career. He has since softened his stance on that
one.
"It would be different if that was the last game and I had
all off-season to think about it and dwell on it," said Minter. "But
I don't. I have to get ready for the Atlanta Falcons. You let
it go and you get ready to start focusing on the next game."
Atlanta has been eliminated from playoff contention. The only
thing they have left to play for is pride and the chance to
knock a division rival out of contention.
"Their goal is to knock us out," said Minter. "We were in
their shoes in (head coach John) Fox's first year (2002). We
went down to New Orleans the last game, and our goal was to
keep them from going to the playoffs, and we did that. Out
mindset that whole week was, This is our playoff game,' so
I'm sure (the Falcons) are going to do the same thing."
If the playoffs were held today, the Panthers would be in.
Unfortunately, they aren't. They have to win one more game
to keep what has been a good season from being wasted. And
they know it.
"The great thing about it is that it's in our hands," Minter
said. "We control our own destiny and that's all you can ask
for as a football player and a football team. I'm ready to
play."