Categories
Carolina Panthers

Carolina’s Sly Fox

When referencing the Bill Belichick, terms like “genius,” and “guru” are commonly used. But on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers proved they had a wizard of their own at the helm.  Head coach John Fox was able get his Panthers to bounce back from a tough home opener against the New Orleans Saints, and beat Belichick’s two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots 27-17. With the most talent Fox had ever assembled in Carolina, the Panthers were a buzz team in the preseason. They were tabbed by numerous publications as a favorite in the NFC. But with a 0-2 start at home, and a road game next week at Miami, the Panthers looked headed for early season limbo. Problem solved.

When George Seifert took over the Carolina Panthers following the 1998 season, he held the highest winning percentage of any coach in NFL history, as he won 76.5 percent of the games he coached in his eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. That record vanished with Seifert’s 16 wins and 32 losses in three seasons.  Fox immediately established a formula for how the Panthers would play football. A ball control offense geared on the running game and a solid 4-3 defense that created turnovers. Problem solved.
In a market that is routinely was looked over by the national media, Fox put Carolina on the map.    In his first two seasons as head coach of the Carolina Panthers, John Fox took a team that finished 1-15 in 2001, the season prior to his arrival, to an NFC South title, NFC Championship and Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003. After starting 1-7 in his third season, the Panthers narrowly missed making the playoffs.
The Panther’s attitude is also noticeably revamped. Off the field distractions are few and far between.  Sideline eruptions like Kevin Greene’s 1998 incident with linebacker’s coach Kevin Steele was ugly and nothing like that has happened in Fox’s stint as coach. Against the Patriots in week 2, when star wide receiver Steve Smith was fuming over being replaced by Julius Peppers in a goal-line situation, Fox walked over to the bench, said the right words, and diffused the situation. Problem solved.  

Fox revamped the salary-strapped roster he inherited with some of the best young talent in the NFL.  Defensive end Julius Peppers, running back DeShaun Foster, linebacker Will Witherspoon, tackle Jordan Gross and cornerback Chris Gamble are some of the cornerstones who Fox hopes will be the Panther’s future.  Fox pantience with  personnel decisions has been evident, avoiding giving  big contracts to underserving players.   Seifert’s strategy to fill starting spots with big name veterans like Reggie White and Eric Swann, failed miserably. Key free agents Ken Lucas and guard Mike Wahle were added to plug crucial holes in the secondary and offensive line respectively.  Fox and his coaching staff have accomplished even more in resurrecting a team when all hope appeared lost. Fox has this team poised for adding more hardware. Owner Jerry Richardson guaranteed a Super Bowl within 10 years of the Panthers’ existence. Going into the 10th year, it looks like Fox might make Richardson into a genius too.  

One reply on “Carolina’s Sly Fox”

Fox You definitely have to like what Fox has done since becoming a head coach.  The Panthers still need to make the playoffs this year to add to his credentials though.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *