|
Updated at 9:51 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 13
The hot seat is just a few bad Sundays away for many NFL head coaches. Few know that better than John Fox in Carolina. However, for the time being, inside sources say the Panthers’ strong start — their 27-3 loss to the Bucs in Week Six notwithstanding — has solidified Fox’s position with the club, and longtime observers say there is a different vibe surrounding the team compared to past seasons.
Expectations have been high for the Panthers every year since they reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 season. In prior years, sources felt a sense of pressure when they were around the team. Players weren’t responding well to the high standards, and things went wrong. Injuries certainly played a big role, particularly with QB Jake Delhomme last season, but the mood of the team just wasn’t positive.
This year’s squad seems relaxed, sources say. The friction that had plagued the team previously reared its head when Steve Smith punched Ken Lucas in a brawl early in training camp, but other than that, tension has been low and the overall attitude is better. The air was cleared after that fight, and players point to it as a significant moment that may have helped the team grow closer together.
However, insiders say the departure of disgruntled DT Kris Jenkins, who was traded to the Jets in the offseason, should be considered an important move that improved the atmosphere, as well. On the field, Jenkins played well. He’s been even better as the Jets’ nose tackle this season. But it was very clear that he did not like being in Carolina, and he expressed his feelings publicly. Losing such a talented player hurt, but in this case, it may have been a case of addition by subtraction, according to close observers of the team.
Delhomme’s health, the return of WR Muhsin Muhammad and a more aggressive defensive game plan that allows for more blitzing all have been key factors in the Panthers’ turnaround. The way we hear it, credit should go to Fox, GM Marty Hurney and perhaps most of all, owner Jerry Richardson. Richardson had the opportunity to make a coaching change in the offseason, after the Panthers missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since Fox took over in 2002, but the owner stuck with Fox, despite some pressure to fire him.
|
|
