John Fox did it again Sunday in Denver, running his career playoff coaching record to 6-3 with an electrifying 29-23 overtime victory over Pittsburgh.
While Tim Tebow will get the headlines nationally -- he outplayed Big Ben Roethlisberger and threw for 316 yards -- it's worth throwing a bouquet to Fox for this one, too.
The game reminded me more than anything of Carolina's overtime win at St. Louis in the 2003 season. That one ended on a slant over the middle, too, on the first play from scrimmage of an overtime (double OT, in that case). That time it was Steve Smith going the distance. This time the Broncos earned a trip to New England next week and have made the final eight of the NFL playoffs. They'll almost certainly lose to the Patriots, but still it's been quite a run for a team that was awful in 2010.
Some of the frustrating elements of the Fox regime were on display in this game -- the 3-man pass rush that helped Big Ben and the Steelers back into the game, the draw play on third-and-long.
But give the man and his staff credit -- they also maximized Tebow's talents and hit one long ball after another in the passing game. Kudos to Fox. As we all know around here but sometimes forget, the man can coach.
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9 years ago
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As a PSL owner I've always liked FOX and FOX did something here in CAROLINA no other coach could do. I think it's pretty obvious to say his teams of the last few years didn't have much talent and management was on this "get young" phase while it was obvious FOX wanted different type players (personnel department comments). Even with a "pro bowl" option running QB in Cam Newton this team was still horrible on defense and in the kicking game.
Not sure why it got so bad, I guess a few dumb drafts trading away picks for busts (Otah - Can't stay on field, Edwards, the DE kid they let go, etc.) really hurt this teams talent & depth.
Anyways, I felt good for Fox and was cheering for Denver and Houston (JAKE!!) over the weekend. Hope they both do well!
Hey sometimes people need a change of scenery to get motivated again. It was pretty evident that Fox for whatever reason was kind of in a rut with the Panthers. He has won with Denver this year in similar fashion that he did in 2003 with the Panthers by winning lots of games by a field goal late in the 4th Qtr or in OT. Those things can work once in a while but sooner or later the odds catch up with you. I guess his odds got reset when he went to Denver. Long term speaking...I would still rather not have him here than have him in Charlotte.
What game were you watching, Scott?
They tried Foxball (predictable run/run/pass) on the first couple of series and it failed utterly. It wasn't until McCoy broke out of the mold in the second quarter that they started having success.
(And, to be fair, Hampton and Keisel hitting the bench had a lot to do with their success, too.)
Now, if you want to maintain Foxball is an erratic QB heaving desperation passes to exceptional receivers on the sidelines, well, maybe you have a point. Except they started doing it in the 2nd quarter in this game, whereas the track record with the Panthers was to wait until the 4th quarter.
Same score in the Stl. game too, 29-23. In 4 of his 6 playoff wins, Fox's team scored 29 points and he lost the Super Bowl with 29 points too.
Great day for Tebow fans, bad day for haters. I am soooooo sick of media types bashing Tebow, just can't seem to leave him alone. I believe their chances are good next week because NE's defense is not as good as Pittsburg.
Denver was 4-12 in 2010 when rookie Tebow sat the bench all season and had to wait to take over a 2010 1-4 team.
The liars keep saying TT gets all the media hype? The only hype he has gotten is 100% screwball HATER HYPE.
Nothing against Big Ben & the great 6 time Super Bowl Steelers who won in 75 76 79 80 06 08 but its TT time.
SE La bayou boy Bradshaw led the Steelers to their first 4 Super Bowls taking a winless team to the top with awesome players & Knowles HC.
Mike Ditka HOF Bear TE who coached the 86 Super Bowl champ puts the HATER PUNKZ in their place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgboIo5X8PQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTuPc2WkoJ0
(So where the hell is Scam Newton?) roffl...
The question I keep hearing is would you want your kid to grow up to be like Tim Tebow or Cam Newton?
Cam certainly has more skill, but he doesn't compare to Tebow when it comes to grit, determination, and fortitude.
Blame our losses all you want on a lack of defense. BUT --- what I see in Tebow is a guy who REFUSES to get down on himself, OR his team when they are down, lose a lead, or things start to fall apart.
I'd rather see my guy moving up and down the sidelines pumping up his teamates, almost lunging to get back in the game to pull out a come-from-behind drive, and kneeling to pray, .....
than to see Cam, with ALL the talent, moping on the sideline, hiding behind a towel, and acting like the bad attitude kid we all used to play with on the sandlots, who would get moody and sulk, when things didnt go his way.
I am behind Cam 100%, he's my qb, even though I desperately wanted a shot at Luck. -- But he sure could learn a thing or two from Tebow on attitude and how it can infect a team for good, or bad.
Anonymous 7:15AM... anybody using the term "Scam" Newton is NOT a Panther's fan. Get lost!
Scott, I have to respectfully disagree on calling this "Fox Ball". Fox didn't even want Tebow at QB, he had him forced upon him by fan demand. This past week saw Tebow receive contradictory advice from Fox reminding him to play it safe and Elway advising him to just "pull the trigger" and be aggressive. Looks like Tebow listened a bit harder to Elway!
The really amusing thing today is going to be listening to all the "experts" who had already guaranteed this as a win for the Steelers. I agree the Pats will likely win next week, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tebow does it again!
Anonymous 8:07AM,
With the incredible way Cam is playing, it's easy to forget that he's a 22 year old rookie! Not only WILL he learn, he already IS learning. As for the towel... couldn't care less... (did you hear his comment that he picked that up by watching Michael Jordon do it?) I'll bet that long before he is done in Carolina, a ton of the fans will be putting towels over their heads in tribute (as a couple of his teammates did at the end of the Tampa game)!
I'm also not bothered by his attitude toward losing... I got so sick of seeing guys laughing and joking on the sidelines last year while losing! He and Tebow have different leadership styles, but they are both working. All the Panthers need now is just even a little improvement on defense! They scored more than enough points to win most games.
You can have him - if there is anyone that believes Fox is running that offense you are nuts! Elway's hand are all over that place - Fox isn't doing anything but riding the wave...
If Foxy had his way, Orton would still be taking the snaps..handing off 3 times and we would here it time and time again - a punt isn't necessarily a bad play...
He's all yours Denver - 8 and 8 - that's typically the best he can do!
Cam is an incredible athlete, but you have to root for Tebow as an athlete who makes the most of his skill AND the way he lives his life. Cam professed his faith after winning the national championship but says his favorite music is Drake. Listen to Drake for 2 minutes and tell me how most Christians would react to his music. Of course, when you have so much adulation, money and fame, I'm sure it can't help but change the way you live. Maybe I'd vote for Cam as an athlete with incredible natural talent and Tebow as the guy I'd like to have over for dinner. And, BTW, how did that staying in school work out for Luck. He avoided the Panthers but it worked out pretty well for Cam. He didn't win the Heisman. Didn't win his bowl game because of Stanford's kicker. When you are projected the number one pick, how can you improve yourself by staying? Obviously, Luck didn't. Just lost a huge pot of money for one year's NFL wages.
The truth is N'ton is far below the "level" of the CP and a wart on the game. He got it all backwards in his BS interview. NFL needed him like a hole in the head. The anti role model.
And what has age 22 got to do with anything? Tebow is 23. Dalton 22. Gabbert 22 Freeman 23. etc etc. The QBs in the playoffs all deserve to be there & vice versa. No exceptions.
FOX DIDN'T win anything.... If they win it is as it was here in spite of Foxball, conservative play not to lose crap!!! Mile High Magic will end soon and foxball will grow tired as it did here!
LOL at Tim Tebow teaching Cam Newton anything except how to throw a wobbly pass.
That was NOT "Fox ball". Elway told Fox to let tebow pass and not run stupid ass draw plays, like he did here.
Andrew Luck won by staying in school by the simple fact that he never has to play for the Panthers. That is a win for any pro athlete.
Tebow is a natural born leader.. nit something he has to be told how to do. That's why he'll be around a long time in the NFL, with lots of playoff wins.
oh brother - "we scored enough to win" more blame on defense - YES THE DEFENSE SUCKS !!! IT MUST GET BETTER !!!
But my POINT at 8:07 this am was that Tebow doesnt get DOWN !
If Cam had his heart, he would have won DESPITE defensive breakdowns LIKE TEBOW DID YESTERDAY
GOD FORBID ANYONE EVER CRITICIZE CAM ---- All I am saying is that he could MATURE
Yes he is 22 - Thats not old enough to learn how to avoid acting all depressed and moody?
Tell that to the IMMATURE men in the armed forces, who have served 4 YEARS by the time they are 22 -
Cam is SPOILED acting when things turn south for him. He better fix that.
I am pulling for him. But I aint going to put blinders on either, Yes FIX the defense. BUT even with the TOP defense Cam is going to get BEHIND in games -- WHAT WILL HE DO??????????
Hopefully he will learn to MAN UP, SUCK IT UP, and LEAD LIKE TEBOW DOES, and NOT be a damn POUTER
WTH is wrong with you people who think he can do no wrong???
I think Cam could learn a lot from Tebow about character, leadership, selflessness and having a little humility.
Tebow is a person who would succeed in life if football didn't work out. Could anyone honestly predict that for Newton?
I think Cam could learn a lot from Tebow about character, leadership, selflessness and having a little humility.
Tebow is a person who would succeed in life if football didn't work out. Could anyone honestly predict that for Newton?
Scott, I'll have what your smoking... The broncos won in spite of fox. The third quarter however was classic fox and that why they blew the lead. One "fox" call that jumps out at me was the punt in the third quarter on 4th and a yard and a half on pitts 39. Od course it only netted about 20 yards and the steelers cut the lead to 7. Fox sucks as a head coach and it took us about 3 years too long to see that
Hey, if Trent Dilfer can win a Superbowl anyone can
Why's everybody always playing the Cam against Tebow thing? I'm a Panther fan and a long time Florida Gator fan and I like them both. Yea- Cam could improve his attitude sometimes- and he will. Tebow could improve his passing and he is. I'd take either of them.
"The question I keep hearing is would you want your kid to grow up to be like Tim Tebow or Cam Newton?"
I hope my children don't talk to their imaginary friends in the sky when they are that age.
Tebow's style fits very well in Fox-ball. This is his 1st season as a starter, and no matter the outcome of the next game in NE, his unusual success guarantees he'll likely start next year... with more fine tuning over the offseason.
Fox is very smart and has learned much over his 10 years of being a HC. Denver and Tebow will be the recipient of all that garnered wisdom, as they dominate the AFC West division over the next 5+ years. They will only get better.
January 9, 2012 6:24 PM
Yea it must be real nice enjoying that freedom paid for by blood sweat & tears of millions in the past & present who left friends & families to die for worthless yellowpus like that. When this kind is captured & they hold large guns to their head or knives to their throats they all beg cry & scream for mercy. Atheists get shot or beheaded first. Too late late to hide under mommys skirt then.
Even jihadists respect those who believe in a supreme power but quickly dispose of useless cowards who are cut up into small pieces & used as dog food or rat bait.
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