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Panthers' Fox hopes to continue playoff success

AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File

This Sept. 28, 2008 file photo shows Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox directing his team during the second half of the Panthers' 24-9 win over the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. On Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, Fox tries to lead the Panthers to the NFC championship game for the third time in six years.

By MIKE CRANSTON

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: January 8, 2009

CHARLOTTE - John Fox says he is intentionally boring, though he has been fun to be around in January.

The Carolina Panthers coach, always polite to reporters, enjoys answering questions with clichés — especially during the postseason.

In his seventh season with Carolina, Fox is 5-2 in the playoffs. A home victory over the Cardinals will put the Panthers in the NFC championship game for the third time in six years.

A year ago Fox heard calls for his ouster after a 7-9 season, and still hears plenty of criticism for being too conservative and unwilling to call out his players in public.

The 53-year-old isn't about to change. He's convinced that a run-oriented offense and a physical defense that secures good field position is the best way to win.

"A punt is not a bad play," Fox is fond of saying — perhaps adding to his boring persona.

He is also a fierce protector of his players, creating a bunker mentality that's helped the Panthers win road playoff games at St. Louis, Philadelphia, the New York Giants and Chicago.

"He's an older version of us," receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. "You always see him in the locker room. He's on about five cups of coffee before everybody gets here in the morning. He's always enthusiastic and energetic. That's just the way he is and I think that resonates."

Fox may be a players' coach, but he's no pushover. He rarely yells in practice, but there is little downtime. While many teams put their practice pads away sometime in October, the Panthers worked out in full pads Tuesday.

"This is his famous quote: 'It's not what you want. It's what you need,'" defensive tackle Damione Lewis said.

Players believe Fox has a knack for knowing just how to motivate. He's constantly asking veterans for the mood of the team. He invites competition, having the starters from both sides of the ball play against each other for portions of practice, a rare tactic for NFL teams.

"I think it's a great drill that Fox came up with," Muhammad said. "For one segment of practice we're not going against a look team or some guys who are just trying to provide a look that the other team does. ... It really simulates what a game is going to be like."

It's part of the football junkie's philosophy that's been shaped over the years, starting from his days as a defensive back and teammate of Kansas City coach Herm Edwards at San Diego State. Fox then worked his way up the coaching ranks and became the Giants' defensive coordinator in 1997.

After the Panthers went 1-15 in 2001, owner Jerry Richardson fired George Seifert and hired Fox. He began an immediate turnaround, as Carolina lost in the Super Bowl in Fox's second season and the NFC title game in his fourth year.

But after Carolina went 8-8 in 2006 and 7-9 last season, critics questioned if Fox's motivational magic was gone.

Richardson met with Fox and general manager Marty Hurney late last season and told them their jobs were safe. But he also indicated it was time to turn things around. The Panthers spent the offseason overhauling the offensive line and backfield to get back to the run-first, physical style Fox craves.

With quarterback Jake Delhomme back from elbow surgery and running back DeAngelo Williams having a breakout season, the Panthers went 12-4 and won the NFC South. Fox's Panthers didn't lose two straight games all season.

Now with several key players still around from the Super Bowl team that lost to New England on a last-second field goal, the Panthers hope to make another run.

"This game is about preparation and playing real well on that day," Fox said. "It doesn't matter about the regular season. All of that is out. It's 0-0 and it's one and done. To be able to handle that pressure and handle that type of preparation, it's obviously helpful that we've been there before."

Fox is piling on the clichés. It must be playoff time.