The experience factor
Jan 7, 2009
Rock legend Jimi Hendrix once asked “Are You Experienced?” And as far as the NFL playoffs are concerned, the Carolina Panthers are.
“I think guys know how to stay in the moment and seize the opportunity,” said wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, whose Panther playoff experience dates back to the 1996 season.
”I don’t think a game becomes bigger than its supposed to be,” he said.
The post-season hasn’t been an annual ritual for the Panthers, but when they get their chances they make them count.
Eight Panthers are still around from the 2003 NFC Championship team, and 14 played on the 2005 team that made the conference final.
In total, the current Panthers have played in 135 postseason games, including 73 starts.
“It’s like taking a trip,” said Panthers head coach John Fox. “The trip there seems a lot longer than the road home because you’ve done it before.”
The Panthers begin their third playoff trip in the last six years this weekend.
