I don’t know how seriously we can consider Bill Cowher as the heir to Fox’s job. It could happen, but I think he wants too much money. The Bucs made him an offer during the offseason, and he said the numbers weren’t there. Will Jerry Richardson make him an offer he can’t refuse? Maybe. However, I doubt it. After a couple years, he’s going to realize how much he should have remained retired. Simply human nature.

I too believe the Panthers are getting less credit than I feel they should be getting, although this is a young team, and there is no experience to back up why they should be considered better than where the pundits have them. It makes sense though, why they’re getting the dirty end of the stick, so to speak. Which is fine. It’s all conjecture, anyway.

I don’t think Fox will be cut any slack. Why should he be? He took a team in complete disarray when he first took over, and made it into something. Granted, it was with a lot of veteran pieces. But a great coach will make something out of young talent with potential to be good or great. Fox IS a lame duck coach, plain and simple. There is no denying that. It’s his choice to do his best with what he has, or give a half-hearted effort and see what team he lands with in 2011. If the team goes to the playoffs and wins a couple games (even as a wildcard), then my opinion is his job is secure, if he wants to remain the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.