Just not smart enough

[Mr. Scot]

For the record, the moment that still bugs me the most when it comes to judging John Fox's overall coaching IQ is the Arizona playoff game in 2008.

Anquan Boldin was out. Pretty much everybody and their brother knew that Arizona's receiving corps minus Boldin consisted of Larry Fitzgerald and a group that had good potential, but was still largely unproven. Darin Gantt wrote before the game that the smart thing to do was for Fox to abandon his usual "left corner / right corner" strategy and stick Chris Gamble in Larry Fitzgerald's hip pocket.

But Fox didn't, and that wasn't even the worst part.

Cardinal coach Ken Whisenhunt had Fitzgerald lining up in different places in order to dictate the matchup he'd get. In some cases, it was borderline ridiculous. Announcers, fans, pretty much anyone with any football IQ watching the game could see what was happening. But did the team do much of anything to fix the problem?

:nonod:

The best coaches these days are like champion chess players. They think three moves ahead and work to not only make their own adjustments but to anticipate the adjustments that the other team might make. From what I've seen, Fox either doesn't do that, doesn't see the need to do that or just plain can't do it.

For the next head coach, I want someone who can, and does.

[Wither]

I'd agree that you don't "need" deception to win a football game, but I'd say it definitely helps.

[Seamonk]

Typically I wouldn't want a College coach to come in and fail like many of others.. but... Jim Harbaugh is looking real good right now (no homo) and hopefully bringing in a college coach would spark some creativity.

[ladypanther]

Do the Panthers have some smart coaches? Yes.

Who are they?

[natty]

Creativity is thinking up new things.

Innovation is doing new things.

Masturbation is playing with the same old thing.

[Mr. Scot]

Who are they?

When I posted this thread, I knew people would want a "who's smart, who's dumb" list. I really don't want to do that.

I'll say this much though. I believe the guys coaching the lines (Magazu and Baker) are smart, but working with substandard parts.

[Mr. Scot]

Quoting Joe Person's "Losing Cycle" article (link) from the other thread...

With one exception, the Panthers' games have unfolded in a predictable, nauseating pattern:

Carolina's offense tries to establish a running attack, the backbone of a John Fox-coached team.

Defense counters by stacking the box with as many as nine defenders.

Rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen (and Matt Moore before him) is faced with too many second-and-8 and third-and-long situations.

With top receiver Steve Smith doubled (or last week vs. Chicago, injured), rookies David Gettis and Brandon LaFell fail to get open and/or make the catch.

Panthers trail in the second half, and are forced to throw to try to catch up.

Defenses take more chances with blitzes.

Bad things happen to Clausen and Moore (see turnovers, head injuries, et al).

Repeat the following week.

It's like the plotline to "Groundhog Day," the 1993 comedy in which Bill Murray's character relives the same day over and over again in Punxsutawney, Pa.

Except in the Panthers' case, no one's laughing.

Say what you want about Dan Henning, but when the team lost two starting offensive linemen at the start of the 2006 season, Henning adjusted the offense to focus primarily on short, quick passes. It didn't produce the results they wanted, but it was at least a smart move.

What changes are being made by the current staff?

[Jackofalltrades]

do people still want some Leslie Frazier after that about the Vikings?

Yes.

[Jackofalltrades]

do people still want some Leslie Frazier after that about the Vikings?

Typically I wouldn't want a College coach to come in and fail like many of others.. but... Jim Harbaugh is looking real good right now (no homo) and hopefully bringing in a college coach would spark some creativity.

History suggests that's a terrible idea and I agree.

[Mr. Scot]

The Saban, Petrino and Kiffin stories have really soured me on college coaches, though to be fair those don't necessarily represent what would happen with a guy like Harbaugh or Ferentz.

[Snake]

If a pitcher can pitch a 100mph fastball is there any need for more pitches.