Carolina Panthers Twenty Bracket Fox Region

Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears coach John Fox speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Fox Region 1 Seed John Fox vs 16 Seed Travelle Wharton

First Seed – John Fox

The Carolina Panthers brought over John Fox from the New York Giants. Fox had something of a reputation as a players coach and had been the Giants defensive coordinator. Fox reintroduced the 4-3 system to the Panthers and used a big defensive line to make it work. On offense, Fox was more cautious. He believed in limiting turnovers and running the ball to maximize the performance of the defense. Fox took the 1-15 Panthers to 7-9 the first year and then to 12-4 and the Super Bowl the year after that. From there it was a bumpy ride. The Panthers made playoff pushes in 2005 and 2008, but never again saw the Super Bowl. Fox was let go after a disappointing 2010 campaign.

Sixteenth Seed – Travelle Wharton

Wharton was a fixture at left guard in the Fox era. He was part of offensive lines that were made to run the football. In 2009, the Panthers o-line had not one but two 1,000 yard rushers on the team. Wharton, a South Carolina Gamecock, may not get the press that Jordaan Gross or Ryan Kalil got but he was a big part of that line all the same.