Throughout the first nine games of the Chicago Bears season, head coach John Fox showed that he, and his staff were arguably the best coaching staff the team had ever assembled, Sunday the Denver Broncos showed why they let him go. Fox didn’t do anything differently than the first nine games, and that is why Bears fans are calling for heads on Monday, but allowed for Denver fans to become nostalgic. While there were 50 minutes of football played before it, 4th and 5 is all you’ll hear after it.
The loss to the Broncos — who were missing Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and defensive end DeMarcus Ware — has unraveled alot of the positives that we were talking about throughout the majority of this season. From coach Fox’s ability to get the most out of lesser talented players, to the Bears ability to finally crack quarterback Jay Cutler.
The Bears' buy-in and a terrific coaching staff has led this team to continued growth — and another impressive win. https://t.co/uFL3z8twG7
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) November 15, 2015
But there was still a loud whisper that was getting thrown around Chicago talk radio, local sports blogs, social media, and pubs — John Fox isn’t aggressive enough. While perhaps it was true, and there was significant evidence to support it, the take-what-you-they-give-you approach is what had turned the Cutler led offense into something functional. However, it seemed as if the Bears offense was playing the equivalent style as a prevent defense, doing enough to keep you in games, but all too often causes you to lose.
The oddness of the current backlash against Fox is, now his aggressiveness cost the team a game.
John Fox’s conservative time management hurt #Bears in Detroit. Aggressiveness hurt him today. Such is the life of an NFL head coach.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) November 22, 2015
Just several days ago Fox was getting applauded for his ability to lead this team, and now the cookie crumbles. Even the National media has gotten involved in the Fox hating (Wilbon is an old Chicago guy now working for ESPN).
It's not even hindsight: John Fox's decision to go for it on 4th down w 10 mins to play instead of kicking gimme FG cost his team the game.
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) November 22, 2015
Ultimately, the call Fox made was fitting at the time he made it. There were 10 minutes on the clock, going against perhaps the best defense in the NFL, and there was no telling if they would be back in a position to score again. While hindsight allows one to be able to second guess and rub it in his face, Fox doesnt have the luxury of hindsight and needs to make a call in 45 seconds with the game on the line.
But it is in those moments, the stressful, everything is on the line, moments that has loomed in the background of Fox’s career. Whether it is his inability to win in the postseason, his need to play ultra-conservative, or just failing to be successful in making calls that make a difference in winning or losing. That is why John Elway parted ways with Fox, and that is why Fox was available for the Bears to pick him up.
While there could be truth behind the USA Today article on why Fox was let go, there just might be more truth to this.
This type of playcalling is why John Fox is no longer employed by John Elway. #FoxBall
— Travis Jensen aka Big T (@BigT_Broncos) November 22, 2015
Fox didnt change because of an outcome of one game, the Broncos just exposed him for what he is, again. Or people like Wilbon is just trying to stay relevant in a media world that is starting to leave him behind.
