The Charlotte Observer is reporting that Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter, who had been pondering retirement, was even more serious than we realized.Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter is expected to announce his retirement Tuesday, two team sources confirmed.
Minter had been planning on making 2007 his final season, but continuous knee pain prompted him to change his mind and retire sooner. He was not at Monday morning's practice and did not show up with the rest of his teammates for lunch at the Wofford College Student Center.
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, Minter spend his entire career in Charlotte and was an anchor for this defense for many years. On the other hand, he was an anchor that helped sink the Panthers' boat last season, as his play deteriorated with the rest of the secondary. If he's not able to go, it's probably a good thing that he's getting out now before he suffers the ignominy of getting benched.
Minter is expected to focus his post-NFL career on several business ventures. In the meantime, answer this one for me -- if the team saw this coming, why did GM Marty Hurney wait until last week to get a safety? I mean, I'm glad they did, but Minter's retirement means Carolina is no deeper at safety than it was before the Chris Harris trade.
UPDATE: Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald is reporting that the Panthers have called a press conference tomorrow at 1:30 PM. I think we all know what's coming.
Previously at FanHouse:
Mike Minter's Retirement Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
