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Fox defends Panthers' offensive coordinator
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) If you listen to sports talk radio long enough in these parts, you might get convinced that global warming is Dan Henning's fault, too.
Callers line up to take shots at Carolina's offensive coordinator: The Panthers are too conservative. They don't throw deep enough. They don't run enough.
And don't even bring up the draw plays on third-and-long.
``I think he's the same guy who writes down the man laws on that beer commercial,'' one caller said recently of the 65-year-old, white-haired coach.
But Henning still has some fans, and they include his boss and his players.
``I can only tell you that it's the same plays that almost won us a Super Bowl and took us to an NFC championship game,'' Panthers coach John Fox said Thursday. ``So I don't think (the coaching staff) became village idiots overnight.''
But Henning has been called even worse in what has been a hugely disappointing 6-8 season. The Panthers' offense, which was clicking a year ago when they reached the NFC championship game, has fallen flat this year:
- It is averaging only 16.3 points per game, eight fewer than last season.
- It has the worst third-down conversion rate (29.3 percent) in the NFL and had just 45 yards rushing in a loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago, and 43 last week in an embarrassing 37-3 loss to Pittsburgh.
- Steve Smith, who led the league in receiving last season, hasn't had more than 67 yards receiving in the past four games.
``The two toughest positions, in my opinion, in professional sports are quarterback and kicker. They both will kill you,'' wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson said.
``Well, now you can throw in the offensive coordinator. He'll get you killed, too. Everybody points to the kicker missing field goals, the quarterback didn't hit his right reads and the offensive coordinator isn't calling the right plays.''
Henning, in his 28th NFL season and his fifth with Carolina, hasn't had much to work with. Offensive line starters Travelle Wharton, Justin Hartwig and Mike Wahle all are lost to season-ending injuries.
``It's been a big reason for why we've struggled offensively,'' fullback Brad Hoover said. ``I think Dan has done a great job for us. Over the last five years we've been consistent, we're just not executing well enough this year.''
Carolina also has played the past two weeks without quarterback Jake Delhomme, who has a sprained right thumb. Chris Weinke has thrown four interceptions and has been sacked seven times in the past two weeks.
But Henning, a former head coach with Atlanta and San Diego, has received most of the criticism. And the Panthers do run a lot of draws on third-and-long, have often come up with 4-yard pass plays on third-and-7, and can't seem to get Smith more involved.
``When the plays come into the huddle I can understand what he's trying to get done,'' Johnson said. ``I think a lot of times people don't understand that. It could be third-and-4 and they may say, 'Why are they throwing that?' Well, something happened where it triggered the quarterback to have to do that.''
A lot of it stems from a lack of running game due to the banged-up offensive line. The Panthers have thrown the ball 167 more times than they've run it.
For the run-happy Fox, that's not conservative.
``If anything, we haven't been conservative enough,'' Fox said. ``A lot time situations and circumstances tailor it that way.''
Henning, who has declined interview requests since the start of the regular season, still has the confidence of his head coach.
``Our record may indicate it, but I don't think we've become dumb coaches this season,'' Fox said.
http://www.theredzone.org/news/showarticle.asp?ArticleID=4743
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) If you listen to sports talk radio long enough in these parts, you might get convinced that global warming is Dan Henning's fault, too.
Callers line up to take shots at Carolina's offensive coordinator: The Panthers are too conservative. They don't throw deep enough. They don't run enough.
And don't even bring up the draw plays on third-and-long.
``I think he's the same guy who writes down the man laws on that beer commercial,'' one caller said recently of the 65-year-old, white-haired coach.
But Henning still has some fans, and they include his boss and his players.
``I can only tell you that it's the same plays that almost won us a Super Bowl and took us to an NFC championship game,'' Panthers coach John Fox said Thursday. ``So I don't think (the coaching staff) became village idiots overnight.''
But Henning has been called even worse in what has been a hugely disappointing 6-8 season. The Panthers' offense, which was clicking a year ago when they reached the NFC championship game, has fallen flat this year:
- It is averaging only 16.3 points per game, eight fewer than last season.
- It has the worst third-down conversion rate (29.3 percent) in the NFL and had just 45 yards rushing in a loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago, and 43 last week in an embarrassing 37-3 loss to Pittsburgh.
- Steve Smith, who led the league in receiving last season, hasn't had more than 67 yards receiving in the past four games.
``The two toughest positions, in my opinion, in professional sports are quarterback and kicker. They both will kill you,'' wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson said.
``Well, now you can throw in the offensive coordinator. He'll get you killed, too. Everybody points to the kicker missing field goals, the quarterback didn't hit his right reads and the offensive coordinator isn't calling the right plays.''
Henning, in his 28th NFL season and his fifth with Carolina, hasn't had much to work with. Offensive line starters Travelle Wharton, Justin Hartwig and Mike Wahle all are lost to season-ending injuries.
``It's been a big reason for why we've struggled offensively,'' fullback Brad Hoover said. ``I think Dan has done a great job for us. Over the last five years we've been consistent, we're just not executing well enough this year.''
Carolina also has played the past two weeks without quarterback Jake Delhomme, who has a sprained right thumb. Chris Weinke has thrown four interceptions and has been sacked seven times in the past two weeks.
But Henning, a former head coach with Atlanta and San Diego, has received most of the criticism. And the Panthers do run a lot of draws on third-and-long, have often come up with 4-yard pass plays on third-and-7, and can't seem to get Smith more involved.
``When the plays come into the huddle I can understand what he's trying to get done,'' Johnson said. ``I think a lot of times people don't understand that. It could be third-and-4 and they may say, 'Why are they throwing that?' Well, something happened where it triggered the quarterback to have to do that.''
A lot of it stems from a lack of running game due to the banged-up offensive line. The Panthers have thrown the ball 167 more times than they've run it.
For the run-happy Fox, that's not conservative.
``If anything, we haven't been conservative enough,'' Fox said. ``A lot time situations and circumstances tailor it that way.''
Henning, who has declined interview requests since the start of the regular season, still has the confidence of his head coach.
``Our record may indicate it, but I don't think we've become dumb coaches this season,'' Fox said.
http://www.theredzone.org/news/showarticle.asp?ArticleID=4743
