The Do's and Don'ts of a John Fox Press Conference

For any news reporter that should attempt to interview John Fox for his Monday presser here are a few pointers that might help result in a positive interview instead of an exercise in futility as demonstrated yesterday. Before I go further I have to say I'm a John Fox fan and feel he has a right to answer questions from the press in whatever manner suits him. I'm not passing judgment on his style because "It is what it is".

• Do ask Fox to describe the positives of any player of your choosing.
• Don't suggest that any one player was the reason for victory.

Q: Talk about the return game and how important that was in your coming back to win.

A: It's always important. We've had some good special teams' outings in critical times. It changes field position. That's what special teams are for, whether it's the punt return, which I think we averaged about 11 ½ (yards per return)

• Do ask him to describe a players' performance if that player had a good game.
• Don't suggest that Fox made a bad decision at any point in the past

Q: Why does he (Wharton) fit better at left guard than at tackle?

A: I think he fit well at tackle. That (guard) was the position we needed him at. That's been a process for him too. ... I don't know if he's just better suited there, but that's where we needed him the most

• Do ask fluffy questions about future games
• Don't suggest that Fox should be concerned about any statistical trends

Q: We talked to last week about breakdowns in run defense and this was another week when that didn't stand up. Could you comment on that?

A: I don't know where you're really going with this, but all I'd say is I think we're in the top third in the league in defense, I think we're 9-3 and it's a team game and yards don't win game, points do. So I hope that answers all your questions in one.

Q: But you have given up more points lately.

A: I think we've seventh in the league in points allowed. Again, my same answer.

Q: So the trend doesn't concern you, given than you were second in the league in points allowed?

A: It all concerns me. I'm just not in the mood for debating statistics. I don't like statistics anyway.

• Do feel free to end your questions early.
• Don't ask Fox to discuss his game preparation or suggest that he varies his preparation from week to week

Q: Is preparing for a Monday night game any different for you guys?

   A: I think the reality is you gain a day on this end and you lose a day on (the back) end. Other than that -- and it's under lights and not sunlight -- that's really all that really changes

• Do know that John Fox would rather have a colonoscopy than answer your questions
• Don't expect the results of your John Fox interview to be any different than a colonoscopy

So there you have it, feel free to add your own in the comments section. If you doubt my wisdom feel free to look up his prior interviews and you will see the same trends. Keep your questions positive and he will response with enough general fluff to occupy the minimum required time. Ask any question with a negative tone and he will belittle your intelligence with disdain. I find it all pretty funny overall.

None of this impacts my impression of him as a coach. Maybe the fact he never says negative things about his players or team in public makes him popular in the locker room. Maybe it makes him more effective as a coach. Some suggest he doesn't want to divulge any coaching secrets. Whatever the reasons for his loathing of Monday press conferences John Fox is not about to hide his disdain for the event.