Has Fox lost them?

Hurney was on 610 am today and mentioned that the Player's Union agreement with the NFL does not allow teams to cut a player for disciplinary reasons, with the exception obviously being if the police are involved. Maybe cut him when charges are filed? He also said Terry's release involved a lot more than this one incident.

 

He may have suspended Smith for a week pending Bright filing charges, which hasn't been ruled out at this point. Either way, Smith is gone, it's a matter of when at this point.

Fox set the stage for himself with that perform or don't play bullshit he used to justify benching Weinke. I said then it'd come back to bite him in the ass and it's looking like that's whats happening. Name me one guy other than Weinke who has been subject to it. Nesbit was injured, so don't even go there. Smith's fumbles, Moose's drops, Peete's turnovers, Stuessie's dumb penalties, Terry's dumber penalties, the CB's getting toasted and not one of them has paid the price Fox assured us they would.

Fox's biggest mistake was falling into the trap of scapegoating only one player for last year and many fans have made the same mistake. Get one guy out of the lineup and everything will be alright. It just doesn't work that way. He's never held any one else accountable for last year. He gave them a pass. They don't respect his authority because of it. Some of these guys have already run two coaches out of town, to them what's a third?

In the end it's about credibility and Fox now has none. With no credibility, there's no control. He'll probably get one more year, but unless he corrects his mistakes I think it may be shorter than that.

 

Got any links? Source? I think he has plenty of credibility. The biggest difference in him benching Winky and not Moose or your other examples is he did not hurt the level of play for the position. He would have hurt it had he benched Moose. Now I am one that thinks Moose should be a #2 receiver, but thats another story.

No control?

Moose had attitude problems last year.
Smith had attitude problems last year.
Terry is just wierd.
I'm not sure why any of this equates to John FOX?

 

What has Fox done to correct those problems? Not a damn thing.

Fox is the one with the mantra don't perform, don't play. He said it applied to every one, so far it hasn't or are you just too dense to comprehend that?

Your opinion you're entitled to, but it has to be weighed against the facts as you see them and the facts as they are. Sorta like your proclaimation that D. Craig was a starting calibre NFL QB.

 

Why would you even consider cutting Smith? This guy is one of the best KR/PR in the league and can be very explosive. So what if he kicks Anthony Brights ass. Somebody needs to do something in the film room b/c obviously this team doesn't care too much anymore. I just want to see wins, I could give two shits about teaching a 24 y/o man a lesson.

 

Ah, ok... if you've never called em wrong dude, WTF are you doing wasting your time here??? Better take that "never wrong" skill and start raking in some cash... :xyzthumbs

 

One of two things is going to happen with Smith at this point. He'll be cut or he'll be traded. His teammates already had problems with him and he will be injured by them. Some have already been quoted as saying it may not be this year, but at summer camp he better have his head on a swivel. He's persona non grata right now with the other 52 guys on the team, the coaches, the front office, and the owners.

 

I don't rightly care if he's an all pro QB. If he goes nuts and beats the shit out of a player, or anyone, based on what Smith did to Bright, he needs more than one game to sit and think.

 

Re: Where's the NFL????

Your point is exactly what has MY thong in a wad. This team along with every other NFL team seems to have its hands tied due to the overly powerful players union and limp-dicked league officials who for whatever reason can’t support a disciplinary action when it really counts. Unfortunately an organization can’t just fire someone (release a player) or even suspend them without pay unless circumstances are extreme by “real world” standards. Coaches GMs and owners alike are all apparently scared to death of thug players and their high-powered attorneys. I read today that Steve Smith would probably easily win a lawsuit against the Panthers if they punished him beyond a one game suspension without pay.
“Well, your honor I did commit a criminal act but I’m going to sue because the penalty is a little too stiff for my liking”. This kind of crap makes my friggin’ blood boil.

The NFL needs to grow some balls and regain control. I know that the damn players union will reject any “ZERO tolerance” concept but some type of realistic and appropriate system has got to be agreed upon and strictly enforced BY THE LEAGUE. These questionable “illegal hit” fines were instituted and are strictly adhered to by the league. Even a bogus punishment system for taking cold medicine was conceived and is strictly adhered to by the league. However, when a player does lil’ stuff like carrying drugs and handguns through airports, threatening the life and wellbeing of his family, or putting a teammate in the hospital with a savage case of assault and battery the “not so mighty” league takes a powder.

God I hope that Fox continues to have the stones to release ANYONE who does anything that you or I would be handcuffed and arrested for. I just wish the league would support us and any other team doing the same by NOT ALLOWING some other unscrupulous organization to simply sign up any recently released offender to come and go wild on THEIR payroll.
How would you guys feel if the Panthers became the first team to implement a zero tolerance policy and they legally wrote it into every future contract? You break the law or knowingly commit any significant offense that brings negative attention on this organization and you are fired immediately and forfeit any unpaid salary and bonuses! I know it will never happen but I like the dream of having a squeaky clean team of players who stay committed to the sport and stay out of trouble on and off the field. Hell, as long as we're not winning anyway I'd rather watch a bunch of honorable guys lose than a bunch of thugs and criminals.
--- Rant Over ---

 

First year coach. Coming in, he didn't have a real grasp on who he had on this team already. It really forced a "wait and see" and Fow missed out on some good FA's. (plus short on funds) It even affected his draft because he really wasn't sure what he need the most.

I think next season he'll be a lot more active in finding "his guys". Hopefully he'll also find a QB too.