Published: Monday, Dec. 08, 2008 / Updated: Monday, Dec. 08, 2008 12:31 AM

Panthers' Fox, Tampa Bay's Gruden have different styles, but get same results

'Mad scientist' Gruden, 'laid-back' Fox find their own ways to win

CHARLOTTE -- For seven years now, they've gone head-to-head twice a year. They've shepherded their teams through the entire existence of the NFC South. They've both brought previously unknown success to their teams.

They couldn't be much more different.

Carolina Panthers coach John Fox and Tampa Bay boss Jon Gruden share an agent and a division but not much else.

Fox was the scrappy strong safety who devises defenses and has built a team designed to hit hard. Gruden's the former quarterback, foot on the gas in an effort to outsmart opponents.

Fox works the room like the emcee at a Friar's Club roast, while Gruden is more likely holed up fuming somewhere.

With his players, Fox is a pat on the back and a "How's the family?" Gruden is more prone to scowling.

For all the similar success the teams have had since the dawn of the division (Carolina has won the most games since 2002, Tampa the most division titles and the only Super Bowl), there's been little cross-pollination. Only five players have played for both Fox and Gruden, and they generally laugh when asked about the differences between the two.

"They definitely have different styles," said Bucs defensive tackle Jovan Haye, barely able to contain himself.

He described Fox as "more laid-back," while his current boss was "more in-your-face."

"Hey, it's just a different style," Haye said, trying to be as polite as possible. "Who you prefer depends on the athlete. Some people like more of a rah-rah guy, and some people like the other way."

It's much the same story you get from Panthers return man Mark Jones, who spent three years with the Bucs.

"They're both different," Jones said. "Gruden loves his offense, loves to see things take shape. Fox, I can approach him and just talk about life. I think Gruden's unlike that. They both want to win.

"I enjoy playing for both of them, but moreso now with coach Fox."

Current players are naturally hesitant to go overboard ripping one or praising the other, but there are others who are less constrained.

"Everybody always thinks I hated Gruden," ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson said. "I enjoyed working with him, believe it or not. I mean, we had a misunderstanding at a personal level, which I think was partly because he was a young coach and didn't understand me. But as an X and O guy, he's one of the best going."

"He truly was fun for me to be around."

You'd never know that by the way his tenure ended, with Johnson effectively banished in 2004 before he was sent packing to Dallas. After two years with the Cowboys, he was summoned to Charlotte upon the recommendation of then-offensive coordinator Dan Henning.

Johnson only lasted a season with the Panthers, but said he didn't have a problem with Fox, either.

"I liked working for Fox too, I just wish I had gotten more than 16 games there," he said. "He was always with the defense though, so I didn't get to know him the same way. He didn't do anything with the offense except tell Dan to run the ball."

Johnson, like many, acknowledged that the personalities of Fox and Gruden are worlds apart.

Of Gruden, Johnson described a coach extremely concerned with appearance and creating plans.

"He relishes those moments the cameras would focus on him making all those faces," Johnson said of Gruden. "He's like this mad scientist of offense, spending all those hours in a lab trying to defeat your defense."

His relationship with Fox was more limited, but Johnson said "he was pretty cool with me."

"When Gruden would get on me, I'd just tune him out and that was what got under his skin," Johnson said. "Fox would say a couple things to me and then go about his business."

Strategically, Johnson wouldn't declare an edge, but given his penchant for getting the ball (perhaps you've heard), it sounds like he leans toward Gruden.

He recalled a week in 2002 when he destroyed Minnesota (nine catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns), when he felt like Gruden was drawing plays up to prove he could make Johnson shine.