Keep John Fox for 2010, or don't.

[SCP]

The Jake Delhomme decision was terrible. Flat out awful. The Peppers situation was mismanaged. We need to get a QB and a quality #2 compliment to Steve. I think Fox and Hurney will learn from this year and approach 2010 in a way we haven't seen in their tenure.

This 2009 season has given our team something that is much needed in the NFL, experienced depth. Our backups have received quality playing time and experience this year. Experience that will be crucial next year. When our IR players are back for 2010, this team will be two deep at almost every position. If Fox and Hurney can manipulate the Delhomme and Peppers mine field that is looming, we have a great shot at doing something special next season with the current core of players. The Delhomme situation is the fly in the ointment, but I'm not sure a new coach comes in here and makes the difference we are all hoping for. Before this year, 7-9 was Fox's worst record. His teams compete even when the deck is stacked against them as seen on Sunday night. I have flip flopped on Fox this season like never before. The Buffalo game had me calling for his head.

Somebody convince me that firing Fox is the right move for this team. Because one day I am on board with other posters on here, and the next day I think Fox should stay. What will Cowher bring besides a scowl on the sidelines on Sundays?

Fox ball can win with the right QB. We get the QB situation corrected and bring in a decent #2 receiver, and we could be dangerous in 2010. I'm not ready for a Raheem Morris project.

[Sam Mills Fan]

What are you talking about depth being all over the team? We have very little at quarterback, nothing at receiver (we don't just need a #2, we also need a #3 and #4), a broken down fullback with no replacement, still no depth on the offensive line (although Bernadeau and Schwartz haven't been as bad as advertised), a lot of bodies at tight end but nobody that's really stepped up, ancient defensive tackles with a logjam of unproven nobodies behind them, possibly nothing at defensive end if Peppers leaves, no safeties that can cover, and the worst special teams in the league with no real returner, a kicker that can't hit from past 50 and a kickoff specialist that isn't kicking them like he did last year, and coverage units that rank dead last.

It's going to take a lot of hard work to get this team into a contender. Poor personnel decisions have gotten us into this mess.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Hope I wasn't too much of a downer. Merry Christmas!

[The Faceless]

Preferably no b/c fox=jake until proven otherwise

[Jackofalltrades]

SMF, always the optimist.

[dbeat]

It's been known for years that the Panthers needed a legit #2 receiver and for years Fox has done nothing about it.

[Kevin Greene]

Somebody convince me that firing Fox is the right move for this team. Because one day I am on board with other posters on here, and the next day I think Fox should stay. What will Cowher bring besides a scowl on the sidelines on Sundays?

Fox ball can win with the right QB. We get the QB situation corrected and bring in a decent #2 receiver, and we could be dangerous in 2010. I'm not ready for a Raheem Morris project.

John Fox will be a Lame Duck head Coach in 2010. If things go bad early as they did this year, it will get real ugly in Charlotte. Aside from Julius Peppers you have a group of players who play hard every week and generally keep there collective mouths shut.

Leave Fox flappin' in the breeze and anything short of instant success could spell disaster the likes not seen since 2001.

So, extend Fox now or cut him loose?

[Mesmer]

No depth at OL? You can't pay people like Hangman to stay around. When they're ready to start, they're ready to start. If it's not here, it's somewhere else.

Hello, my name is the Salary Cap. The backups on the OL this season have been great, all things considered.

And for the Fox decision? I'm just glad I don't have to make it. Its tougher than most people realize.

[unicar15]

The Jake Delhomme decision was terrible. Flat out awful. The Peppers situation was mismanaged. We need to get a QB and a quality #2 compliment to Steve. I think Fox and Hurney will learn from this year and approach 2010 in a way we haven't seen in their tenure.

I stopped reading here...because John Fox will NEVER do anything differently. I guaran-freaking-tee you that if John Fox is kept and Matt Moore loses the last two games, Fox will find a way to start Jake Delhomme.

You CANNOT REWARD sh*tty decision-making.

I cannot say this enough times, I almost want to make a thread out of it but won't....IF HE MORTGAGES THE FUTURE FOR THE PRESENT AND HIS RESULTS FOR THE HERE AND NOW ARE THE WORST IN HIS CAREER THEN HOW THE HELL CAN YOU POSSIBLY TRUST HIM TO DO BETTER NEXT YEAR??

I mean every single decision that Fox and Hurney made was to have good seasons last year and this year...they failed...miserably. How do you let them have more seasons to sit there and thumb their buttholes?

[rico6]

fuging don't /thread

[Wither]

What are you talking about depth being all over the team? We have very little at quarterback, nothing at receiver (we don't just need a #2, we also need a #3 and #4), a broken down fullback with no replacement, still no depth on the offensive line (although Bernadeau and Schwartz haven't been as bad as advertised), a lot of bodies at tight end but nobody that's really stepped up, ancient defensive tackles with a logjam of unproven nobodies behind them, possibly nothing at defensive end if Peppers leaves, no safeties that can cover, and the worst special teams in the league with no real returner, a kicker that can't hit from past 50 and a kickoff specialist that isn't kicking them like he did last year, and coverage units that rank dead last.

It's going to take a lot of hard work to get this team into a contender. Poor personnel decisions have gotten us into this mess.

The reason you are wrong is right in your post. You are talking about how horrible the depth is, yet you were surprised at Bernadeau and Schwartz? I understand the philosophy: don't be optimistic about players that haven't shown much potential. However, I think there is more depth than you think; just give them a chance.

Also, no TE? Rosario has caught more spectacular passes than any other player on the team this year.

[Jangler]

Fox and Hurney have tried to find WRs. So either they don't don't how to develop WRs or they don't know how to scout WRs. I'm going with scouting, cuz which one has gone on to be a top WR elsewhere?

They did try to bring in Carr as a replacement for Delhomme. Most of us thought he would be great, but he is damaged goods and most of the time you just can't fix those people... But Carr does make good chopped liver so, I don't hate him.

The Panthers have made every team play our game, we have been in every game this season, and with a decent, not great, just decent QB we are winners. Even with all the injuries, If Fox had just made the change to Moore sooner we would be playing for a playoff berth or already in. So I think that shows just how good of a coach Fox really is. The only thing I see as a legitimate reason for firing Fox is because he stuck with Jake too long. Loyalty can only go so far and Coach Fox was blinded by it, to the detriment of the team. But his coaching as usual has been the way it always has been, he gets the most out of the team in good years and bad.

[carolinanimal]

i have said this before in other posts. you dont want a lame duck coach. very, very few coaches work out to the end of there contracts. \

and it is not necessarily fox ball that should or would get him fired. that style can work in some situations. it is his insistence or stubborness to change. once he has a way or finds something that has worked once, he wont change it , even if it stops working unless he is absolutely forced to. also bad game management and clock management. and general inconsistency. and being to player loyal.

[SCP]

I stopped reading here...because John Fox will NEVER do anything differently. I guaran-freaking-tee you that if John Fox is kept and Matt Moore loses the last two games, Fox will find a way to start Jake Delhomme.

You CANNOT REWARD sh*tty decision-making.

I cannot say this enough times, I almost want to make a thread out of it but won't....IF HE MORTGAGES THE FUTURE FOR THE PRESENT AND HIS RESULTS FOR THE HERE AND NOW ARE THE WORST IN HIS CAREER THEN HOW THE HELL CAN YOU POSSIBLY TRUST HIM TO DO BETTER NEXT YEAR??

I mean every single decision that Fox and Hurney made was to have good seasons last year and this year...they failed...miserably. How do you let them have more seasons to sit there and thumb their buttholes?

So you think a Cowher makes that much difference?