Fox over the depression of playoff loss

[Kevin Greene]

MOBILE, Ala. Carolina Panthers coach John Fox says he has emerged from the funk that followed his team's 33-13 home playoff loss to Arizona 12 days ago. Asked after a Senior Bowl practice Wednesday if he's gotten over the defeat, Fox said:

“I'm not sure you ever do, but I'm not in a state of depression anymore.”

The Cardinals, who were 91/2 – point underdogs to Carolina, defeated Philadelphia in the NFC title game to advance to the Super Bowl against Pittsburgh.

Though the Cardinals have been underdogs throughout the playoffs, Fox said he's not surprised they're in the Super Bowl.

“Not at all,” he said. “I've said many times, it's not where you're seeded. It's playing good at the right time, and I think it's fair to say they've done that.”

Fox said he recently watched tape of the Carolina-Arizona game and came to an obvious conclusion. “Anytime you have six turnovers, you're not giving (yourself) much of a chance,” he said.

Fox said the Panthers' turnovers, five interceptions and a fumble by quarterback Jake Delhomme, were the reason he didn't share the same alarm some did about the six catches for 151 yards that Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald had in the first half.

“Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking anything away from him, because he's been a big part of their run,” said Fox. “But they put 32 (points) up on other teams who didn't have all those turnovers. So I don't think we helped our cause.”

Fox said losing by 20 didn't make the loss hurt more.

“It's still a big ‘L,'” he said.

Regarding the wide perception that the Panthers need to focus their attention in the offseason to improving a defense that struggled over the final seven games, Fox noted that the offense had problems against the Cardinals, too.

“We've got to get better,” he said. “We were successful, but it's not the end result you want.”

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/panthers/story/488181.html

[mountainpantherfan]

Is it just me or did Fox kind of throw Jake under the bus in that interview?

[Peppers90 NC]

Is it just me or did Fox kind of throw Jake under the bus in that interview?

6 turnovers is 6 turnovers, usually one person doesnt have 6 to's in one game but Jake did. The turnovers were the biggest cause of defeat.

[SorthNarolina]

Is it just me or did Fox kind of throw Jake under the bus in that interview?

i think it's just you

after almost any loss he always notes that we lost the turnover battle, hew ould have said the same thing if double trouble combined for 6 fumbles

[mountainpantherfan]

i think it's just you

after almost any loss he always notes that we lost the turnover battle, hew ould have said the same thing if double trouble combined for 6 fumbles

True but that's not what we heard since the loss. It has been "a time bad to have bad game." This pointed the finger directly at Jake. I probably am reading too much into the statements but it is different than what we have been hearing from anyone else including Fox.

[LiQuiD]

It sure would be nice to know that there's some personal accountability being dealt by Fox, but we're probably reading too deeply into it. Hopefully, though, he's coming around to the idea that open competition for the QB spot would be a good thing.

[Murph]

Now that Fox has lost his entire defensive coaching staff, known as the "yes men" club, I bet depression is settling back in again.

[Fox007]

Of course he is, who else is to blame. He even went as far to note that the Cardinals scored 30+ on people who didn't have 6 turnovers, CLEARLY stating he didn't think it was the defenses fault.

Plenty of us have said it, and its the truth, Jake cost us that game.......there's no other way to look at it.

Jake has the finger pointed at him, because he deserves it, and it that loss is and will always be on his shoulders.

[carolinarolls]

6 turnovers is 6 turnovers, usually one person doesnt have 6 to's in one game but Jake did. The turnovers were the biggest cause of defeat.

esp. the ones in the red zone...

[Lout]

I am glad to see Fox pointing the finger at a player for once.

[Fox007]

I am glad to see Fox pointing the finger at a player for once.

True, maybe he will do this more often and demand some accountability.

I mean I don't defend Fox often, and don't really think super highly of the guy, but that loss was not his fault.(some other ones have been though)