In Denver, Mike Klis in a front-page piece reports Broncos Exec VP/Football Operations John Elway and coach John Fox yesterday “agreed that after four years together, the Broncos needed a new coach and Fox needed a new team.” The pair “didn't always agree,” as Elway “had issues over the past four years with the way the team was prepared and its mental toughness.” Meanwhile, Fox “would have preferred a little more authority with the draft and roster.” The Broncos “had not considered dismissing Fox, but became concerned” by a report on Sunday from Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, a “close friend of Fox.” Glazer questioned whether Fox could “become available” should the Broncos lose to the Colts. Klis notes the Broncos “suddenly became aware Fox was unhappy and wanted to coach elsewhere.” A source said the report "opened the door" to the meeting yesterday (DENVER POST, 1/13). Also in Denver, Mark Kiszla asks, “Does Elway really know how to put together a championship plan as architect of the Broncos?” Elway needs to “stop playing fantasy football.” Championship teams are “about more than stockpiling talent and praying it all comes together” (DENVER POST, 1/13).
SETTING THE PACE: In Chicago, David Haugh cites a source as saying that new Bears GM Ryan Pace in his search for a new coach “looked at six interview candidates recommended by consultant Ernie Accorsi and pared the list down to his liking.” The response “showed the independent streak" Bears Chair George McCaskey and President Ted Phillips "sought.” But if Pace “went to bed Monday night without reaching out to [John] Fox's representatives, then he isn't the go-getting GM the Bears think they hired.” Hiring Fox would give Pace a "chance to show he can close a deal and that this really is a new regime” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/13).
DO WHAT YOU LIKE: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said that “while he prefers that the owners approve any team moving to Los Angeles, a team could possibly move there without league approval.” Jones: “As it would turn out now, apart from the league saying no, you can move there. Keep in mind that teams have moved without the permission of the league. They just have.” Jones, when asked if Rams Owner Stan Kroenke could move on his own, said, “He can if the league says he can’t” (N.Y. TIMES, 1/13).
DEVELOPING NEW FANS: KWTV-CBS noted 12-year-old Cade Pope “sent a letter to every owner of every NFL team two weeks ago asking for help deciding which he should root for.” Pope, who used to be a Rams fan, on Thursday “got a package” from Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson. Inside was a replica Panthers helmet signed by LB Luke Kuechly and a “handwritten note from Richardson.” Pope: "If this is the only team that responds to me, I'm a Carolina panthers fan” (KWTV.com, 1/10).
