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Minter looks to be the man for Carolina's secondary
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Mike Minter is making some bold statements at the Carolina Panthers' training camp. Coming from a man who has aspirations of being a pastor, people are going to listen.
"I love to be on top," said Minter from the team's training camp at Wofford College. "I hate to be on the bottom looking up. It feels good that everybody is upbeat; everybody is talking about the Panthers; everybody is expecting things from us. That's how it should be.
"We're looking forward to going through this season expecting to go to the playoffs; expecting to get back (to the Super Bowl). That's what it's all about. We love the pressure; we love the expectations and we're going to live up to them."
The Panthers shocked many by making it to the Super Bowl last season, where they fell to the New England Patriots. Carolina's defense played a big part in getting the team to the Super Bowl.
Minter, who finished with 124 tackles and three interceptions while scoring two touchdowns, was a big part of that. He expects the Panthers' defense to be even stronger in 2004.
"We're going to be the number one defense in the league, no doubt about it," Minter said. "Our front seven is a monster. I saw them (Monday) night and they just terrorized everything that was in front of them.
"If we can get that type of presence in the secondary, we're going to make some plays. It's going to be fun playing with these guys."
There are some changes in the secondary. That includes rookie draft pick Chris Gamble, as the former Ohio State player is trying to learn from Minter, a veteran safety.
"They're young (and) they're inexperienced," Minter said of the secondary. "But you know what? They love to hustle; they love to run hard to the ball; they love to tackle. That's where you start.
"If you've got three or four guys back there that can do that, then you can work on all the other stuff. That's the biggest thing. Now we're working on communication and chemistry. That's so vital back there in the secondary. We have to understand what the other person is going to do back there without saying it."
To help get the lines of communication open, Minter invited some of the rookies to his house. Minter had the get-together catered, as his teammates played video games, played some pool, played PlayStation and watched movies.
"One time I had the (defensive backs) over to my house," Minter said. "I wanted us to get to know one another off the field. It's all about communication. It's all about knowing each other. That was very important.
"Plus, I wanted to get them over to my house and show them what eight years in the league can get them. They can see what hard work can get them. I wanted to show them that, 'Hey, if you stick in this league, you guys can have all this, too.' And I wanted to show them that we're a family. You come to my house, I'll go to your house like a family. You have to love each other like that."
Two people Minter already love, assistant coach Sam Mills and linebacker Mark Fields, are healthy and back with the Panthers this season after battling cancer last season. Minter said the two are a big inspiration.
"That means we have a great God," said Minter about seeing Mills and Fields on the field again. "Those guys are blessed. To see them out here doing what they're doing, doing what they love to do, is great.
"We have two warriors because a lot of people give up on that. They didn't; they kept on fighting. When you get tired and you get hot (in training camp), you look over at them and realize, 'Man, it ain't that bad.' You see those two warriors over there, that motivates you to continue."
Minter is definitely motivated for the season. He's setting some pretty lofty goals for himself.
"The main one is getting to the Pro Bowl," Minter said. "That's in my mind and in my heart. That's the one I want to reach so bad.
"That comes with the success of the team. We have success now as a team, so people will be seeing Carolina more and then they'll see number 30 (Minter's number) more."
While Minter would love to play in the Pro Bowl, he'd love to play in any game right now. He's more than ready to strap on the helmet and shoulder pads and take the field.
That will come soon, when the Panthers play host to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, Sept. 13.
"I wish that's what we could do," Minter said with a laugh. "I know we can't because we have to do all this to build the camaraderie of the football team and get everybody together. Man, I wish we could just go straight to the season - a week of training camp and let's get to the season."
Amen.
"I love to be on top," said Minter from the team's training camp at Wofford College. "I hate to be on the bottom looking up. It feels good that everybody is upbeat; everybody is talking about the Panthers; everybody is expecting things from us. That's how it should be.
"We're looking forward to going through this season expecting to go to the playoffs; expecting to get back (to the Super Bowl). That's what it's all about. We love the pressure; we love the expectations and we're going to live up to them."
The Panthers shocked many by making it to the Super Bowl last season, where they fell to the New England Patriots. Carolina's defense played a big part in getting the team to the Super Bowl.
Minter, who finished with 124 tackles and three interceptions while scoring two touchdowns, was a big part of that. He expects the Panthers' defense to be even stronger in 2004.
"We're going to be the number one defense in the league, no doubt about it," Minter said. "Our front seven is a monster. I saw them (Monday) night and they just terrorized everything that was in front of them.
"If we can get that type of presence in the secondary, we're going to make some plays. It's going to be fun playing with these guys."
There are some changes in the secondary. That includes rookie draft pick Chris Gamble, as the former Ohio State player is trying to learn from Minter, a veteran safety.
"They're young (and) they're inexperienced," Minter said of the secondary. "But you know what? They love to hustle; they love to run hard to the ball; they love to tackle. That's where you start.
"If you've got three or four guys back there that can do that, then you can work on all the other stuff. That's the biggest thing. Now we're working on communication and chemistry. That's so vital back there in the secondary. We have to understand what the other person is going to do back there without saying it."
To help get the lines of communication open, Minter invited some of the rookies to his house. Minter had the get-together catered, as his teammates played video games, played some pool, played PlayStation and watched movies.
"One time I had the (defensive backs) over to my house," Minter said. "I wanted us to get to know one another off the field. It's all about communication. It's all about knowing each other. That was very important.
"Plus, I wanted to get them over to my house and show them what eight years in the league can get them. They can see what hard work can get them. I wanted to show them that, 'Hey, if you stick in this league, you guys can have all this, too.' And I wanted to show them that we're a family. You come to my house, I'll go to your house like a family. You have to love each other like that."
Two people Minter already love, assistant coach Sam Mills and linebacker Mark Fields, are healthy and back with the Panthers this season after battling cancer last season. Minter said the two are a big inspiration.
"That means we have a great God," said Minter about seeing Mills and Fields on the field again. "Those guys are blessed. To see them out here doing what they're doing, doing what they love to do, is great.
"We have two warriors because a lot of people give up on that. They didn't; they kept on fighting. When you get tired and you get hot (in training camp), you look over at them and realize, 'Man, it ain't that bad.' You see those two warriors over there, that motivates you to continue."
Minter is definitely motivated for the season. He's setting some pretty lofty goals for himself.
"The main one is getting to the Pro Bowl," Minter said. "That's in my mind and in my heart. That's the one I want to reach so bad.
"That comes with the success of the team. We have success now as a team, so people will be seeing Carolina more and then they'll see number 30 (Minter's number) more."
While Minter would love to play in the Pro Bowl, he'd love to play in any game right now. He's more than ready to strap on the helmet and shoulder pads and take the field.
That will come soon, when the Panthers play host to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, Sept. 13.
"I wish that's what we could do," Minter said with a laugh. "I know we can't because we have to do all this to build the camaraderie of the football team and get everybody together. Man, I wish we could just go straight to the season - a week of training camp and let's get to the season."
Amen.
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