National Football League

Panthers coach Fox says jury still out on Clausen

Published Oct. 12, 2010 5:45 a.m. ET

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Jimmy Clausen's job may not be secure, but Jeff Davidson's is.

A day after a new low in Carolina's miserable, winless season, embattled coach John Fox said Monday that it's ''too early to say'' if the rookie Clausen will remain the starting quarterback.

But Fox rejected talk of making changes to his staff, including his offensive coordinator Davidson, to try to jump-start the NFL's worst offense.

''No,'' Fox said. ''I think we just have to play better.''

An offense that can't seem to hit bottom managed eight first downs and 147 yards in Sunday's 23-6 loss to Chicago that got Clausen benched. The performance in front of booing home fans dropped the Panthers into last place among the league's 32 teams in total offense.

Carolina (0-5) enters its bye week with five touchdowns, 16 turnovers and 52 points - good for a league-worst average of 10.4 points a game.

''I think at this stage we've got nowhere to go but up,'' Fox said.

There appear to be few ways for the NFL's youngest team to get better in what's already become a lost season. With top receiver Steve Smith still in a protective boot because of a high ankle sprain, the Panthers on Sunday became the first team since Cleveland in 1999 to start rookies at both receiver spots and at quarterback.

And while Clausen was brutal - 9 of 22 for 61 yards, an interception and three fumbles - Matt Moore wasn't any better when he replaced him late in the fourth quarter.

Moore, benched for Clausen after Week 2, threw 10 passes. Five went to his teammates and two to the Bears. Clausen has a 52.2 passer rating this season and Moore a 33.3. It leaves Fox, in the final year of his contract, with an unpleasant decision before Carolina faces the league's other 0-5 team, San Francisco, on Oct. 24.

''I think it's too early to say,'' Fox said. ''We'll evaluate that as we move forward this week.''

Maybe the Panthers could even decide to use more of the wildcat formation with receiver Armanti Edwards. The converted college quarterback was on the active roster for the first time against the Bears and ran two plays from direct snaps with little success.

''We're looking at all means to move up from 32,'' Fox said.

Fox tried to lighten the mood Monday. As he climbed the podium for his press conference, he pointed to two towels on the table and asked if they were crying towels. But after management gutted the roster in the offseason, lowered payroll and failed to extend his contract, Fox has little to work with in what's starting to look like a lame-duck year.

The Panthers have fallen behind so quickly - they've been outscored 38-6 in the first quarter - Davidson has abandoned the run game early. Jonathan Stewart has just 36 carries for 119 yards after going over 1,100 yards last season. DeAngelo Williams, who also went over 1,100 yards last year, has 317.

It's forced Clausen to air it out with an inexperienced and mistake-prone receiving corps. And while the Panthers claimed receiver Devin Thomas off waivers from Washington on Monday, there's still plenty of problems and little depth.

Clausen has had trouble handling snaps and handoffs cleanly, and the offensive line has been shaky - Clausen was sacked five times Sunday.

It's been a rough NFL debut for the former Notre Dame standout and second-round pick. Questions are beginning to be raised about the long-term damage a miserable rookie season could have on his confidence, and whether it may be time for him to sit again.

''I think anytime you don't have success it can thwart your development no matter what position,'' Fox said. ''I think it's no mystery that quarterback is one of the hardest positions to play. I think receiver is right up there with it. ... But nobody comes to rescue you. You've just got to get better.''

Carolina's offensive woes have overshadowed a decent defensive effort this season. The Panthers set a team record Sunday by allowing just 29 net yards passing. Safety Charles Godfrey leads the NFL with four interceptions.

But it's hard to win when you've failed to reach double digits in all three home games and have scored two points all year in the fourth quarter.

''The defense is doing a great job of getting turnovers and getting us the ball back,'' Clausen said. ''I think the biggest thing is we have to keep going to work and grinding this thing out.''