IRVING (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have a group of players that coach Bill Parcells often says are immature. They show their naivete by acting as if they’re just playing a game each week rather than recognizing they’re part of a team trying to reach a goal.

Now it’s the playoffs, which should be enough to get their attention.

Still, Parcells didn’t take any chances. He repeatedly reminded them this week that Saturday’s game at Carolina is a precious opportunity that can’t be taken for granted.

It started at a team meeting when Parcells asked several veterans how many times they’ve been to the playoffs. By hearing how few times in how many seasons those players had made it, he wanted young players to realize this doesn’t happen every year.

“That just goes to show you, you never know when you’re going to get back,” Parcells told them. “So grab this moment, take advantage of this moment.”

Parcells brought it up again on the practice field.

“A young guy made a mistake and he jumped him real bad,” defensive tackle La’Roi Glover said. “He called everyone together and said, ‘You (mess) up like that in a game and you’re letting down that 11-year vet who’s only been to the playoffs once. You’re letting down this guy who has never been to the playoffs. You’re letting down all your teammates. They will never forgive you for it.’ That hit home right there.”

Glover has spoken to several of the immature players himself, giving a message similar to Parcells’. He adds a tale that sounds like a ghost story from summer camp.

“A buddy of mine went his rookie year and never went back. He played 10 years and never went back to the playoffs,” said Glover, who is going for only the second time in eight seasons.

Receiver Joey Galloway has played the longest (nine seasons) with the fewest appearances (one). Linebacker Dat Nguyen is in his fifth season and only went as a rookie. Fourth-year running back Troy Hambrick has never made it.