Next Season

[XClown1986]

I, like many fans, are completely horrified with this team after our 12-4 season last year. That being said... Im not so sure I DON'T want Fox here next year.

Let me explain.

Yes we started the season 0-3. Yes we are sitting now at an unfavorable 5-7 record. Yes we signed Jake Delhomme to a ridiculous extension, and he answered by having the worst season by any QB we have had as a franchise.

However...

If there is one thing I do know, it's that this man is a hell of a coach. He's made mistakes. But he's also learned from them. Like everyone else. I have a feeling this team is headed in the right direction. Sounds strange, I know.

We have a TON of talent on this roster.

I agree that Fox should not get a pass on the going 0-3 to start the season. But how do you gameplan around your QB turning the ball over 9 times to the other team in that span. 9?!

Game 1: Eagles. Disaster. Jake throws 4 picks and loses a fumble. Eagles offense gets excellent field position on EVERY turnover, starting often in or near the red zone or even returning the turnover for a touchdown. Jake should have been pulled. THAT was the mistake. But you risk pulling your starter and losing the team from Game 1, so I get it.

Game 2: Falcons. Defense obviously wasn't adjusted to the new scheme. We hung in and had a chance to tie the game at the end. We threw the ball 41 times. 41! And we are a running team, with Deangelo averaging 4.9 yards a carry in the game! Horrible play calling. Jake throws a pick in the endzone after a horrible read to end the game.

Game 3: Cowboys. We. Could. NOT. Stop. the RUN! Got ran over for over 200 yards. We only ran the ball 16 times. Deangelo was averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Jake throws 33 times. Picked twice, once for a touchdown in the 4th quarter, and lost a fumble. HORRIBLE OFFENSIVE PLAYCALLING. We were down by 1 score in the 4th quarter, before Jake threw that pick 6. Unbelievable playcalling.

I say all of this, because who really now do you blame after those three games? Fox is the head coach but really can he make every call on Sunday? No. Me personally I blame Davidson, then Jake, then Fox. Davidson called plays in those first 3 games like Helen Keller. Jake was obviously shaken from the Arizona game and needed a reboot in confidence. He never got it. He needed short quick passes, slants, dump offs, screens, with a good running game and a few playaction passes thrown in. So instead he continued to play scared, and looked absolutely awful. We essentially David Carred the poo out Jake the first 3 games. Now Jake didn't help by making horrible decisions with the plays he was given, but thats the way of the gunslinger when backed against a wall. See Brett Favre.

Now this is what I would do in the offseason. I would fire Jeff Davidson. Hire Charlie Weis (offensive version of Fox anyway). I would tell Jake that if he wants to stay he needs to renegotiate his contract and be willing to be a backup.

Next I would fire the poo out of Rip Scherer and Danny Crossman. Id let Weis choose his QB coach, and Id recruit the best special teams coach available.

Next, Id trim the fat. If Peppers wants to stay Id make him sign a four year incentive based contract or tell him to hit the bricks. Id love to tag and trade him, and we very well might, but Id lower my asking price quite a bit.

Re-sign Marshall, Davis, Moore and Brayton to reasonable contracts. Davis's should be the only one that carries much weight.

Cut or trade someone unexpected. Keep the team on their toes.

Most importantly, find a way to stock pile draft picks. Open our doors to offers for anyone. If we can find a way to get back into the 1st round, that's a bonus.

Draft a QB early, a WR early, a D-lineman early, then fill out the depth chart as needed with reasonable free agents, playmakers and possible steals in the draft.

Depending on how Moore does the last 4 games, I'd let him be the starter next season. If he doesn't show much promise, leave it wide open in training camp between him, Jake, a street free agent, and the rookie.

Let only the strong survive in training camp, and let it ride. Fox has one year on his contract left, and I say we honor it and see what happens. He has shown that he can put a contender together at a minimum of every other year and I say lets see what he plans to do to salvage his job. But I know im in the minority.

Sorry for the length.

[RedMage138]

Next season:

Jake Delhomme will be the QB and John Fox will be the head coach.

That is all.

[jasonluckydog]

Valid points but

[pantherj]

Jake and Fox are still under contract. Fox will be back as HC, and Jake will be back as backup to Matt Moore, or a better QB, possibly McCown or someone new. The question is weather or not Moore will be back as starting QB next season.

[Argus Plexus]

OP took the words right out of my mouth. Absolute genius.

[House]

I agree with everything but firing Scherer. McCoy did not have any luck in changing Jakes mechanics either and he was a damn fine QB coach. Jake is just one of those guys that has to do it his way. A lot of it is probably mental because he played so long with the bone spur and the hole in his bicep that the only way to throw comfortable is the way he always has. Now its a little late to go messing with it.