If Fox leaves...

[Delhommey]

Fox not being here next year is still a very big "if."

[Zod]

Thats the up side to hiring a guy like Cowher who has a proven record of winning, guys will be more likely to want to stick around.

[AceMan]

Fox will DEFINITELY be gone at the end of the year. Sitting at 5-8, with three games against the Vikings, Giants, and Saints coming up...we will be lucky to get to 6-10. Also, Fox has the majority of the fanbase against him now...he won't be back.

I expect to be in rebuilding mode for 2 years...it sucks that Fox/Hurney has set this team back so bad.

[PhillyB]

I expect to be in rebuilding mode for 2 years...it sucks that Fox/Hurney has set this team back so bad.

lol we aren't "set back"

we have one or two key problems that, if addressed, will make us contenders

if you want "set back" look at franchises like the rams, lions, and raiders. they would KILL to have the core of players we currently have.

[WadeWilson]

I think the upcoming primetime game against the Vikings is a make-or-break game for Fox in the Big Cat's eyes.

If we get throttled by Favre at home I am guessing the decision will be swift following the Saints game.

[AceMan]

lol we aren't "set back"

we have one or two key problems that, if addressed, will make us contenders

if you want "set back" look at franchises like the rams, lions, and raiders. they would KILL to have the core of players we currently have.

lol you're right as far as those teams. But, we're not that much better...

I mean we're set back because we're awful at the two most important positions...Head Coach and QB. In addition, we have other needs such as WR with very few draft picks and cap room. I'm naturally assuming that we will have to wait two years to find/develop a QB without a 1st rounder or for our head coach to get his players/establish his philosophy...it will be worse if we stick with Delhomme... Also, we have alot of key players that will need to be resigned...

Next year is almost guaranteed as a rebuilding year...

[Urrymonster]

I expect to be in rebuilding mode for 2 years...it sucks that Fox/Hurney has set this team back so bad.

They were also responsible for putting us at the heights as well, do not just look at the last year to define the Fox era.

Personally people like Diggs and Vincent have a stronger chance of sticking around. They are cheap vets, so they are not exactly dead weight to the organisation. Expensive vets, such as Smith or Peppers, who have value to other teams will likely be traded off. Expensive vets, such as Ma'ake or Jake, will likely be released in favor of the younger cheaper options.

One thing to consider is if Cowher comes in. He wants to win NOW. He is not looking at a long term project and wants to go down in history, so he is MUCH more inclined to keep the roster fairly intact. A younger coach wanted to forge his own legacy, will likely gather in as many draft picks as he can to mould his own identity. In this scenario you will likely see only the very best survive.

[Hairless Cat]

...so, too, will about a third to a half of this roster. Are you all ready for that?

hell yes

[Mother Grabber]

Rebuilding/New Scheme is precisely why this should have been done months ago when it was obvious to anyone with eyes how poorly this team was playing. We have good players who play poorly...that's all coaching. Throw in the lack of vision and inability to adjust, and you have ample incentive to start fresh. Now we've wasted this year, as well as how ever long it takes to get everyone on the next scheme. If we get lucky and they hire a great coach this offseason, we're still looking at another mediocre year at least. What if they next hire doesn't work either? How long will JR wait before changing again? 2 years? 3? I'm preparing for a long road of sh!t, until we see some real evidence on the field of a staff that knows how to properly prepare a team for this league.

[AceMan]

They were also responsible for putting us at the heights as well, do not just look at the last year to define the Fox era.

Personally people like Diggs and Vincent have a stronger chance of sticking around. They are cheap vets, so they are not exactly dead weight to the organisation. Expensive vets, such as Smith or Peppers, who have value to other teams will likely be traded off. Expensive vets, such as Ma'ake or Jake, will likely be released in favor of the younger cheaper options.

One thing to consider is if Cowher comes in. He wants to win NOW. He is not looking at a long term project and wants to go down in history, so he is MUCH more inclined to keep the roster fairly intact. A younger coach wanted to forge his own legacy, will likely gather in as many draft picks as he can to mould his own identity. In this scenario you will likely see only the very best survive.

Nah, I define the whole Fox era as an inconsistent one. We've had success, true, but it is definitely time for us to move on. We jumped the gun last year when Fox was on the bubble and it worked out for us during the season. But, we embarrassed ourselves in the playoffs when we had everything working in our favor to make it to the Super Bowl. Let me repeat this...we didn't just lose...we EMBARRASSED ourselves. Then, we had the hellish offseason, pulled the gun again and loss this time, and now we're stuck where we are now...

[Murph]

Fox not being here next year is still a very big "if."

Seems like there are only about 5-10 of us left on here that believe that. Most of the others have his walking papers typed up.

I say his chances are 50/50 if he loses the final three games. Any wins increases that %.

[Kurb]

Seems like there are only about 5-10 of us left on here that believe that. Most of the others have his walking papers typed up.

I say his chances are 50/50 if he loses the final three games. Any wins increases that %.

This is my fear as well.

Next year could be the worst I have ever experienced when it comes to looking forward to football season.

Same Fox, Same Panthers, Same Disapointment

[Matt Foley]

I think his job is safe at 7-9. It's 75-25 at 6-10, and 50-50 at 5-11.

[rayzor]

i can see him staying. they haven't said anything one way or the other and he does have another year on the contract. he has his excuses. he has the possibility of weiss being brought in to help the offense.

at this point nothing would surprise me. we could wake up some morning to find that fox has signed a 3 year extension. sometimes dumb things happen. at this point news like that would only make me shrug my shoulders. i'm numb by the whole situation right now.