Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, who's the so-called face of the franchise following the departure of many familiar figures, doesn't buy the notion that his team enters the season with pressure to preserve the job of popular coach John Fox. Yes, Smith likes Fox. No, he doesn't weep for Fox. "Because a coach's job is on the line every year, just like the players,' Smith told USA TODAY. "Just because contractually he doesn't have a 'guaranteed' next year, heck, two years ago, everybody was talking about he was gone then, too. And as players, we don't have a guarantee we'll be here next year -- I don't have a guarantee I'll be here next year, even if I play well. Obviously, if I play like crap, that would pretty much sum it up. But I don't think guys are playing and saying, 'Hey, we've got to play for the coach.' Coach isn't sick, he doesn't have a special need, he's made pretty good money -- not to be all up in his financial stuff, but -- and he's not driving a beat-up car. He enjoys a nice car, just like I've been fortunate to have, as well, a nice car, and a home and a beautiful family, but you play this game to win." Source: USA Today
