The press conference of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was instructive, even if you discount his eye-opening statements on the collective bargaining agreement. Richardson explained a lot of about the 2010 Panthers, and where they will go in 2011.
On the No. 1 Pick: Richardson said the team was unlikely to trade out of the spot. “We’re looking for someone that can be a top-flight player and hopefully make us a better team,” Richardson said via the Charlotte Observer.
(Translation: Hi Andrew. We’re planning to take you.)
On why they made a coaching change: “The facts are in nine years we had three winning seasons and we failed to have two winning seasons back-to-back,” Richardson said.
On John Fox’s final season: Richardson indicated the team didn’t fire him and his staff because they didn’t want to eat $11.4 million.
“You know, we are running a business here,” Richardson said. “And people don’t like to see their ticket prices go up.”
Richardson noted they had one of the highest paid staffs in the league. Richardson also said the team cut a lot of veterans, so that Fox couldn’t fall back on playing old guys instead of the team’s young talent.
On the next Panthers coach: Richardson confirmed they will go after an NFL assistant coach. Jim Harbaugh isn’t a candidate.