J. Bettis' comments on Fox & Delhomme

[raleigh-panther]

Someone needs to lose their job in Carolina. I was in Las Vegas for an event last weekend, and on Sunday I went to the best possible place to catch every game: a sportsbook. And of the nine games playing across those big screens early in the day, I couldn't keep my eye off of one thing: Jake Delhomme. I saw a quarterback who should not be starting on any NFL team. The way he's played his past two games -- five interceptions against the Cardinals in the playoffs; four yesterday against the Eagles -- I have to think this guy is just done. Toast. And if Jake Delhomme is done, John Fox is going to get fired.

Fox saw that playoff game last year firsthand. He had an entire offseason to evaluate his passers. And he didn't take the necessary steps to ensure the franchise's success down the line. Whether it was a free agent -- Matt Cassell, Sage Rosenfels, Michael Vick -- or even a rookie in the draft, he didn't demand a quarterback to challenge Delhomme.

Instead, the Panthers gave Delhomme a five-year contract extension, and now they don't have anyone else who can compete for the position. Fox went through the whole darn depth chart yesterday and didn't see a positive thing from anyone.

To me, that all goes on the coach. Coaches live and die by their quarterbacks, and Fox is riding Jake Delhomme to his grave. If he wants to save his job, he ought to be looking for options, whether it be a veteran who got released in the preseason or someone in a trade. Maybe it's time to call Minnesota about one of its backups.

Look at the Panthers' schedule. They have the Cowboys, Redskins and Buccaneers coming up: three losable games. If they go 0-4, I would fire John Fox. He's stuck with Jake Delhomme, who has repeatedly shown that he's not an elite quarterback. He's provided himself no alternatives. Without a huge turnaround, I think this is the end of the road for John Fox.

[Delhommey]

You're Jerome Bettis?

[Cat'sGrowl]

How "elite" was Bettis' QB the year they won the Super Bowl?

[PhillyB]

oooooh original, cool

[rayzor]

You're Jerome Bettis?

i guess he is.

i thought i was.

oh well.

[Montsta]

Fox should only get fired if he sticks with Jake. If he drops him and swallows his pride and does what's best for the team, it will speak volumes IMO.

[Carolinafan320]

Someone needs to lose their job in Carolina. I was in Las Vegas for an event last weekend, and on Sunday I went to the best possible place to catch every game: a sportsbook. And of the nine games playing across those big screens early in the day, I couldn't keep my eye off of one thing: Jake Delhomme. I saw a quarterback who should not be starting on any NFL team. The way he's played his past two games -- five interceptions against the Cardinals in the playoffs; four yesterday against the Eagles -- I have to think this guy is just done. Toast. And if Jake Delhomme is done, John Fox is going to get fired.

Fox saw that playoff game last year firsthand. He had an entire offseason to evaluate his passers. And he didn't take the necessary steps to ensure the franchise's success down the line. Whether it was a free agent -- Matt Cassell, Sage Rosenfels, Michael Vick -- or even a rookie in the draft, he didn't demand a quarterback to challenge Delhomme.

Instead, the Panthers gave Delhomme a five-year contract extension, and now they don't have anyone else who can compete for the position. Fox went through the whole darn depth chart yesterday and didn't see a positive thing from anyone.

To me, that all goes on the coach. Coaches live and die by their quarterbacks, and Fox is riding Jake Delhomme to his grave. If he wants to save his job, he ought to be looking for options, whether it be a veteran who got released in the preseason or someone in a trade. Maybe it's time to call Minnesota about one of its backups.

Look at the Panthers' schedule. They have the Cowboys, Redskins and Buccaneers coming up: three losable games. If they go 0-4, I would fire John Fox. He's stuck with Jake Delhomme, who has repeatedly shown that he's not an elite quarterback. He's provided himself no alternatives. Without a huge turnaround, I think this is the end of the road for John Fox.

i agree

[rayzor]

fox won't get fired.

his contract runs out after this season, doesn't it?

they just won't give him another one.

if he can bring this team back to the playoffs i'm cool with him staying another year or two.

if not...start looking for someone else.

[Fiz]

fire everyone

cut every player

burn the stadium down

[SMACKDAB]

I said get Flacco, and was flamed....so I don't know what to say anymore except we're fvcked unless something turns around in a hurry.

[Sloth]

Link if anyone wants it:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jerome_bettis/09/14/bus.stops/index.html

[bleys]

Fox should only get fired if he sticks with Jake. If he drops him and swallows his pride and does what's best for the team, it will speak volumes IMO.

it speaks volumes so much that you can't find one person anywhere, fan or Canadian, who believes Fox will actually demote Jake to #2... (riding the bench)

[rayzor]

fire everyone

cut every player

burn the stadium down

you forgot sell the franchise to LA.

[OneBadassCat]

you forgot sell the franchise to LA.

Don't scare me like that.