If Fox does leave, the Carolina job will be much in demand...

[panthers55]

Don't we have this debate every year and ultimately determine that you can't figure out at this point which schedule will be hard or easy. For example in the South if you got the 4th place team from last year you would be playing the Saints this year who are 13-2. Meanwhile the Panthers who were 1st last year are shadows of their former self.

[panthers55]

Plus do you think that with Richardson't health and the uncetainty of the CBA, we will be making a multi-year deal with a coach for loads of money? The reason we are keeping Fox is because of 2011 and I suspect the owners feelings that a lockout is a real possibility just like the uncapped year looks like it will happen.

[rayzor]

This is an important point. The majority of division winners typically do not repeat the following year. The tougher SOS for division winners is a big barrier to staying on top. Finishing third this year does have some benefits for next year in that regard.

it will effect a whopping two games.

[Kevin Greene]

4. Best fan base there is who on a daily basis give sage advice on how best to run the team.

[guyinchesapeake]

Agreed, at this point all the pieces are in place for a new coach to be a winner. I can honestly say I have NO IDEA who the Panthers would be interested in as a HC. I was thinking Cowher would be desirable because of his resume and his link to the Steelers organization, but it sounds like that's not going to happen now.

I find it really odd that Cowher would be interested in a team like the Bills and not the Panthers???

I'm not getting the basis of that statement. Certainly, Cowher has made it known that he wants to coach again in 2010, but per most of the (so called) experts and pundits, they believe that the Carolina job is the one he wants the most, because of his ties to NC, not least of which he actually LIVES here! Of course, all that may have changed when the 'Cats offered Fox to come back for next year only.

Fox will no doubt get serious consideration for coaching jobs, and he's earned that. Most successful coaches had ONE QB that they rode to success, obviously, Jake isn't going to be ridden to any titles. it's time for change, and moving on, for all involved.

[unicar15]

It is the PERFECT team for Cowher to take over. If he decided he didn't want to sign Pep then we have a ton of cap room for him to add pieces for his style of play. If we keep Pep then he turns him into the most dominant defensive player in the league.

[MrBubba]

Per PFT,

For 2010, the AFC East teams play all teams of the AFC North and the NFC North.

The AFC North teams play the teams of the AFC East and the NFC South.

The AFC South teams play the teams of the AFC West and the NFC East.

The AFC West teams play the teams of the AFC South and the NFC West.

The NFC East teams face the teams of the NFC North and the AFC South.

The NFC North teams play the teams of the NFC East and the AFC East.

The NFC South teams play the teams of the NFC West and the AFC North.

The NFC West teams play the teams of the NFC South and the AFC West

So we do get the RAMS next year

[Cheetodude]

I find it really odd that Cowher would be interested in a team like the Bills and not the Panthers???

I hadn't heard he was interested in the Bills. Have I missed something?

That being said, it could make sense if Cowher thinks the best way to fortify his reputation as a great coach is to take a team from the bottom to the top. The Bills aren't a very good team and haven't been for a LONG time. If he comes in and brings them back to their glory days, he is Hall of Fame bound.

On the other hand, if he comes here with a seemingly good situation (a few missing key players, strong ownership, consistent records...that is, we have had very few BAD teams) and things don't go well, he's going to look like a poor coach. In Buffalo, he can blame the situation.

And despite my profile picture, I don't know that Cowher is the answer.

[Cat]

If this is true and our team is in as good condition as you suggest then who do you contribute that too? Hurney? Fox? Chance?

[Matt Foley]

So we do get the RAMS next year

As do the Saints, Falcons and Bucs.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Oh, it will definitley be in demand, however if Fox leaves there is less chance that Matt Moore will be starting next year.

[methodtoll]

I am going to go out on a limb and say that if John Fox does in fact leave the organization than someone will be promoted in house to remain the pieces in tact. Therefore, that is why I am saying that Ron Meeks may very well be in the mix to become the next head coach. I mean, think about it, he knows the defense well and comes from a winning team that was coached under a hall-a-fame coach in Tony Dungy and plus he has coached under John Fox and probably has learned a thing or two from him.

Many around the league believes that Ron Meeks is poised to become a head coach and was a hot candidate prior to him coming here.

Another thought could be the idea of bringing back Jack Del Rio if he was to be fired by the Jags

[guyinchesapeake]

I am going to go out on a limb and say that if John Fox does in fact leave the organization than someone will be promoted in house to remain the pieces in tact. Therefore, that is why I am saying that Ron Meeks may very well be in the mix to become the next head coach. I mean, think about it, he knows the defense well and comes from a winning team that was coached under a hall-a-fame coach in Tony Dungy and plus he has coached under John Fox and probably has learned a thing or two from him.

Many around the league believes that Ron Meeks is poised to become a head coach and was a hot candidate prior to him coming here.

Another thought could be the idea of bringing back Jack Del Rio if he was to be fired by the Jags

I absolutely hate to bring this up, because I think Meeks deserves better, but the nature of the demographic he represents helps there as well.

[holycrikey]

It is the PERFECT team for Cowher to take over. If he decided he didn't want to sign Pep then we have a ton of cap room for him to add pieces for his style of play. If we keep Pep then he turns him into the most dominant defensive player in the league.

You know, I'm just not sure. To put this in context, I am an absolute anti-Cowher fan.

Cowher would obviously turn the defense into 3-4, which means Meeks is out (and comeon, Meeks is solid). I think we have the LB's to do that, but we don't have a killer DT and only one great DE to round it out.

Green Bay made a pretty successful adaptation to the 3-4 within one season, but they still have the odd players out that are otherwise spectacular players, but in the wrong defensive scheme.

I don't think Cowher could mess up the offense any, but let's face it. Our defense is the most organized aspect of the team. It is proven, solid, and relatively young. I really don't know if I'd want to see Cowher change it up.

P.S.- I like the idea of Jack Del Rio, but not as HC. I really had wished that he had stayed as DC after 2002. Oh well. Meeks is doing very well thus far.