Panthers: Minter hopes to stay

Panthers: Minter hopes to stay
by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Tuesday, January 18, 2005

News
If safety Mike Minter has his way, he'll finish his career with the Panthers. In order for that to happen, he'll need to renegotiate his contract, as his existing deal will cost $6 million against the salary cap next season. Although Minter might be able to make more money by forcing the team to release him, he hopes to finish his career in Carolina. "That would mean everything, because of the simple fact that was my goal coming out of college to come to one team and finish with one team," Minter told the Gaston Gazette on Monday. He recorded 81 tackles and two sacks this season.

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The Panthers don't have much depth at safety, so the fact that Minter is willing to work with the team is good news for the organization. Mike was held without an interception last season for the first time since his rookie year. Due to the lack of interceptions, his fantasy value is limited in leagues that award points for individual defensive players.

 

Some have suggested that Minter's lost a step. Others suggest that the team is using him to cover the mistakes of Branch, and still more suggest he's just covering for Branch on his own.

 

Yea, I guess that explains when Minter actually was in position, he missed several INT and plays that hit him square in the hands, plays he usually made. Even Branch made those plays, but if Branch is causing that maybe we should get him out of there or maybe he can use that power on the opposing offense. Oh wait, he already did. The Carolina Panthers led the NFL in INT.

 

And were in the bottom 2 in 3rd down %.
Geez, God forbid anyone say anything about Colin Branch.

 

You can say whatever you want to about him and I'll keep bringing up facts to disprove your exaggerations. I already said he is not great, but improving and solid. And you can certainly lay part of the blame for 3rd down % on our LB poor play at the beginning of the season. God forbid anybody say Colin Branch doesnt suck. If they want to bring in a rookie or another FS, SS I am all for that. Nothing wrong with competition and we need the depth anyway. Tillman is a lot worse at the position then Branch.

 

When have you before?

Hell, it wasn't my assertion that Minter was covering for Branch. But I do think the guy sucks industrial strength.

I didn't directly lay the blame on Branch alone.

Are you on your monthly? I'm sorry you're sensitive about Colin Branch, I really am.

 

Mags is still pissed about Grant leaving. Don't let him get to you. I agree that Branch has a long way to go but he was also not terrible. He gets a lot of blame for missed tackles but that can be corrected. He was not a huge liability in coverage and that is a good thing. Grant was directly responsible for losing a couple of games for us early on because he gambled and went for the pick instead of making a tackle. The Dallas game in 99 comes to mind. Branch will get better if he continues to play.

 

Grant wasn't drafted until 2000 was he?

 

>>Mags is still pissed about Grant leaving. Don't let him get to you.

I'm directly pissed that we didn't do anything at FS. I said over and over it wasn't necessarily Grant, or even finding someone of that caliber, just someone solid. Branch isn't solid, and him catching three balls thrown at him doesn't make him a good defensive back. Weak link, no matter how bitter you are that you keep putting up poor arguments for Travis Henry.

>>The Dallas game in 99 comes to mind. Branch will get better if he continues to play

Yeah, Branch could even go back in time like Grant did and make phantom mistakes in years he wasn't in the league...

 

Ooops I meant 2002, Fox's first year when he got beat deep.