Gantt takes a shot at Fox

[Mr. Scot]

From his article on Dante Wesley (link)

IMPORTANT DATES — I'll mention a few important dates here, in part for reference, but also so coach John Fox doesn't let them slip by.

The Panthers coach was a little behind the process last week, calling free-agent special teams coach Bobby April on Wednesday night to inquire about his possibly joining the staff, but only after April had already agreed to sign with Philadelphia.

So for Fox and others, here are the key dates:

Feb. 25 — Deadline to use the franchise and transition tags (this could come in handy with Julius Peppers).

March 4 — Deadline to tender restricted free agents (Thomas Davis and Marshall are on that list).

March 5 — Free agency and trade period begins.

The whole thing is a tad sarcastic (with "notes to Fox" in the quotes) but the bolded in blue is the harsh part.

[Kevin Greene]

Firing Crossman several days late and then calling April after he was already locked up by a better run organizatiion:

Well that's John Fox and Marty Hurney in a nutshell.

[KillerKat]

That was dumb by Fox to wait so long to contact him. We heard April was fired hours after it happened yet Fox waited how long after that to release Crossman and then call April? Fox is a joke. He always waits too long to make poo happen. It's almost like he doesn't care.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Gantt has the funny, Mr. Scot does not.

[Mr. Scot]

You can't really say they don't care. I think it's more a matter of approach.

Fox and Hurney prefer to take things slowly, setting their own timetable. Under most circumstances I'd agree with that approach, but you can't always do that in the offseason when it comes to free agents and coaching hires.

[neverlosethefeeling]

Firing Crossman several years late and then calling April after he was already locked up by a better run organizatiion:

Well that's John Fox and Marty Hurney in a nutshell.

fixed.

[KillerKat]

You can't really say they don't care. I think it's more a matter of approach.

Fox and Hurney prefer to take things slowly, setting their own timetable. Under most circumstances I'd agree with that approach, but you can't always do that in the offseason when it comes to free agents and coaching hires.

When you hear the best ST coach in the NFL just got fired while you have one of the worst you shouldn't be taking it slowly, talking things out with your GM, wait a few days, and then make a move while it's too late to contact him. As soon as you hear that guy is fired, you fire your own asap and immediately call him up. Fox dropped the ball on getting the best there is in the NFL. Hopefully we can get someone else that'll be good, but he won't be at April's level.

[outlaw4]

Gantt? The supposed lap dog of the organization taking a shot at Fox?

[Mr. Scot]

When you hear the best ST coach in the NFL just got fired while you have one of the worst you shouldn't be taking it slowly, talking things out with your GM, wait a few days, and then make a move while it's too late to contact him. As soon as you hear that guy is fired, you fire your own asap and immediately call him up. Fox dropped the ball on getting the best there is in the NFL. Hopefully we can get someone else that'll be good, but he won't be at April's level.

Partially true. Under the kind of circumstances you're talking about, you don't fire your existing coach unless you get an agreement with the new guy first.

In the case of Crossman though, I think Meat is right. I don't believe Fox intended to fire him at all. I think the Big Cat forced him. What it means? Unknown, but I do believe that's what really happened.

If it is true, then the guy with the bad timing would be JR. Fox would be guilty not of bad timing, but of bad judgment.

(which, arguably, is even worse)

[KillerKat]

That sounds like a big ol clusterfug lol

If that scenario is true, Fox is essentially asking to be fired since JR had to step in.

[ChucktownK]

I too doubt they fired him on hearing about April. Hopefully it was just an unhappy coincidence.

On a side note, I remember Jordan Senn making some plays toward the end there when he was signed. Could be a thought going into camp (ST). Could use another solid hit man, especially one with good eyes that can wrap up.

[Udogg]

Doesn't matter who they get. It will be an upgrade.

[Mr. Scot]

That sounds like a big ol clusterf**k lol

If that scenario is true, Fox is essentially asking to be fired since JR had to step in.

Meat thinks it's a way to get Fox to quit so they'll be off the hook for his salary.

There's loads of ways to interpret it, and that's only if you really believe it (which I obviously do).

[beastson]

This is just one big FAIL

How long will he take to find a receivers coach next