Hit the road John...and don't you come back

I know the NFL season is just getting started, but John Fox...it's been nice knowing ya!! I admit, I am not much of a Carolina Panthers fan. Actually, even though the are my "local" team, I despised them at their inception. See, I grew up a Cowboys fan. Like any other normal, well-adjusted kid, I pulled for my father's team. For whatever reason, he was a Cowboys fan so that's who I followed. At the time, we were living in that pro sports hotbed of Sumter, South Carolina and Sunday's on FOX always featured America's Team...until that fateful day when the Carolina Panthers debuted. There have been several Panthers that I have taken a liking too but not enough to watch every Sunday. The team had some early success, suffered through the Seifert years and then entered John Fox. After being rejected by The Ol' Ball Coach and Tony Dungy, the Panthers brass settled on John Fox, formerly the New York Giants defensive coordinator. Only once during his tenure in New York (97-01) did the team rank in the Top 5 in yards allowed. Pretty important stat to me. Some people make a big deal out of points allowed, but not me. If I'm only scoring 14 points a game, does it really matter that the defense allows 17 a game? No!! We're losing by 3!! I like lookin at yards allowed, because that way I know if a team is able to move the ball against us. But back to "Coach" Fox. While he has maintained a winning record in Carolina, if you check the yearly break down, you might be somewhat disturbed. 7 years, 3 winning seasons, 4 .500 or worse seasons. This year is looking like a sub .500 season so far. Assuming Carolina continues their subpar play through the rest of this season, you're looking at a coach with only 3 winning seasons out of 8 and one Super Bowl appearance under his belt. Better coaches have been let go for worse. Despite the statistical anomolies in his record, Fox's undoing will probably come down to him sticking with Jake "Hot Potato" Delhomme. I won't rehash Delhomme's woes because they've been discussed ad nauseam through the sports world, but Jesus! Does he have pictures of "Coach" Fox in a "compromising position"?? Does he know about his coach's past as a Nazi war criminal? Something doesn't add up. Big extension over the summer, no QB picked up in the draft, no viable 2nd option already on the roster. "Coach" Fox, you sir have tied your fate to a man on his last legs. Take solace though in knowing that you will be allowed to finish the season out. I know the team has quit on you by now...I know I would have. So making a change during the season and promoting one of the coordinators to interim head coach would probably fire up the squad and they could rally to a decent finish. Of course, that leaves them wit "Hot Potato" Delhomme back under center next year. By letting you finish out the season, Carolina finds itself with a better shot at one of the many talented signal callers available in the 2010 Draft. So Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Jake Locker or Jimmy Clausen, be prepared to put on that black Panthers hat next year. Just know that I won't be watching.

True Blue Carolina

There are 347 Men's Division 1 basketball teams. Only 1 of those teams matters...the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. For as long as I can remember, I have been a Tarheel fan. Yes, I dabbled in the Michigan Fab Five era (I mean who wouldn't??? Baggy shorts, bald heads, black socks and that swagger) but on April 5, 1993, my heart bled Carolina blue. The rich tradition is unparalled. Kentucky and UCLA might CURRENTLY have more championship banners but I've filed that away in my mental file cabinet under "L" for lucky. Everyone gets lucky every now and again. Hell, even NC State has won two championships and their current coach bears an uncanny resemblance to this:

I've had the pleasure of attending several games on campus at the atmosphere is like no other!! Imagine a sea 0f 21,750 rabid fans frothing at the mouth, anticipating the slaughter of another sacrificial lamb.

There's a saying around here..."Nothing could be finer than Carolina." I agree.