Intereview with John Fox.....

[adallastiger]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8184d463/Coach-Spotlight-John-Fox

Says among other things that going into the season in the last year of his contract does not affect anything. Not so sure about that...

[panthers55]

Good interview. It has to be encouraging to those that criticize Fox for being too conservative and run-oriented. Based on his actions in OTAs (stressing the passing game) and what he is saying about being excited for this season you have to feel more positive about the team about the influence Fox and his coaches can have on the team. At lest at this point they are focused on taking the lemons and making some koolaid focused not as much on what they lost but what they still have. That kind of positive atitude will be needed particularly if things go south early.

It looks like he is as least toying with opening things up going to more 4 receiver sets although we do some of that now using 2 TE formations with Barnidge and Rosario. I would think that putting Smith, Edwards, Jarrett, Barnett and Williams on a pass pattern should result in someone being open. Or bringing in LaFell and using 2 TEs sets to either run or throw much like we did with Moose.

I really do think the offense is going to get better. We always seem to work hard to fix one part of the team and usually have success. Problem is making sure that if we fix the offense, the defense will be as stout as it was last year. I just can't see how that is going to be pulled off at this point. Meeks and Baker deserve an extension and a big raise if they take this bunch and make they excel. At this point I would be ecstatic if we were a top 15 defense let alone a top 10 like last year.

[JungleCat]

Says among other things that going into the season in the last year of his contract does not affect anything. Not so sure about that...

It shouldn't, unless Fox wants to make his own resume look bad after the season.

[rippadonn]

She got more out of the man than he's said in years. With him your always in danger of having a dry interview. "It is...

[rayzor]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8184d463/Coach-Spotlight-John-Fox

Says among other things that going into the season in the last year of his contract does not affect anything. Not so sure about that...

if he wants a job next year he's going to have to open things up and put forth his best effort.

if he sits on his butt and does nothing but try to coast he isn't going to get a job anywhere. he isn't that good, contrary to what some on this board think. he isn't an automatic for a new coaching job somewhere else. he's an old guy in a time when teams are valuing youth in HCs over experience.

i have no doubt that fox and the coaching staff are going to be pushing everyone and opening things up this year.

[Ohio]

I feel like at times he hasnt been committed to running the ball. Just look at Buffalo and Miami last year. DeAngelo should have gotten a ton more carries then he did, especially against a team that ranked last in run D. Also against Arizona in the playoffs, we run it down their throat the first drive, then we turn into a passing team.

[rayzor]

I feel like at times he hasnt been committed to running the ball. Just look at Buffalo and Miami last year. DeAngelo should have gotten a ton more carries then he did, especially against a team that ranked last in run D. Also against Arizona in the playoffs, we run it down their throat the first drive, then we turn into a passing team.

that was more about giving jake a chance to redeem himself/show confidence in him than anything.

[Ohio]

that was more about giving jake a chance to redeem himself/show confidence in him than anything.

Then thats pretty scary. How many picks does he have to throw before we stop passing? Why not do whats best for the team, and run the ball?

[Mother Grabber]

It's easy to be aggressive and open when you're playing with free money. Once the real money is on the table, especially if it's your real money, those old, conservative tendencies come right back out. I really hope he has the chops to carry through and open up when it counts, but I'll believe it when I see it.

[DaCityKats]

im with mg on this one.i will believe it, when i see it. fox always seems to go against what will work.

[rippadonn]

Something about Foxy tells me he's ready to open up the offense. Maybe he's more trusting of Davidson but when have we ever talked about going 4wide on this board? A new Fox would go from good to great. Being oh so conservative on offense has been his only real flaw.This could really be his year. Everybody on the field is playing for their contract. They know the Big Cat will reward them if they do well, he always has. The Big Cat is wise.

[raleigh-panther]

Dear Lord, 'conservative on offense his only weakness'.

Seems to me I recall Larry Fitzgerald running just wild in a playoff game it was the 3rd quarter before Fox changed the defense to even get a hat on Fitzgerald, too late then, they were already up by 21 points.

It's not just conservative, he consistently will stay with something, or someone, that is clearly not working until his forced, forced to change.

As much as John Fox is no dummy, and a decent, average NFL coach, he will never get to that next step because of it. Leopards don't change their spots. Do I hope he does, sure, there are a lot worse coaches than Fox and a lot worse franchises than the Panthers

but. as the old saying goes, 'keep doing what you've always done and you'll get what you've always got.'

[rippadonn]

Dear Lord, 'conservative on offense his only weakness'.

Seems to me I recall Larry Fitzgerald running just wild in a playoff game it was the 3rd quarter before Fox changed the defense to even get a hat on Fitzgerald, too late then, they were already up by 21 points.

It's not just conservative, he consistently will stay with something, or someone, that is clearly not working until his forced, forced to change.

As much as John Fox is no dummy, and a decent, average NFL coach, he will never get to that next step because of it. Leopards don't change their spots. Do I hope he does, sure, there are a lot worse coaches than Fox and a lot worse franchises than the Panthers

but. as the old saying goes, 'keep doing what you've always done and you'll get what you've always got.'

Very good point. That was a dumb move and a refusal to adapt.

That said, Fox has always put together a good defense. We've traditionally complained about our lacking offense more than defense.

[PantherDude]

It would be great if we get the old Fox back. The one that made us the best team in NFC South in his first 4 seasons here.