Carolina Panthers coach John Fox has pulled a Jeff Fisher-like turnaround in the last couple of weeks. Just when it appeared the Panthers were heading to a 5-11 season, Fox kept his team focused and won games against the Vikings and Giants, giving Carolina a chance to have a .500 season. According to sources, Fox may be willing to accept the invitation to remain the Panthers' head coach even though he won't be given a contract extension. Fox is about to enter the final year of his contract and is scheduled to make $6 million. He could certainly take the position of many winning coaches and threaten to leave unless he lands a long-term deal. Instead, sources indicate he may be willing to stay for a year and become one of the top free-agent coaches in 2011. Bills don't fit Cowher: Don't buy into the idea that Bill Cowher is considering a chance to go to the Buffalo Bills. Cowher initially turned down a chance to interview with the Bills several weeks ago. Though he is interested in the Tampa Bay job, Cowher can be picky about what brings him back to the NFL. The scenario for Cowher appears to be either taking the Bucs' job if it opens or staying in broadcasting.Bengals not recognized: According to Elias, the Bengals became the first division winner since the merger in 1970 to not have a Pro Bowler. It's also likely the Bengals didn't even get a first alternate. Halfback Cedric Benson was a second alternate behind Thomas Jones of the Jets. If coach Marvin Lewis holds out starters against the Jets on Sunday night, Benson, who loves proving people wrong, won't get a chance to put on a show against Jones and the Jets. Chad Ochocinco, cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph, tackle Andrew Whitworth and maybe Dhani Jones were believed to be alternates, but not first alternates. For a 10-win team, that's a shame. The one who really got slighted was quarterback Carson Palmer, who wasn't even a high alternate.Respect for Schaub: Matt Schaub of the Texans continues to rise in the eyes of his peers and fans. Schaub finished as a second alternate at quarterback in the AFC behind Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers. That makes him the fifth-highest vote-getter among AFC quarterbacks and put him ahead of Joe Flacco of the Ravens and Palmer.Untouchable tackles: In the AFC, it's going to be pretty hard to crack the top group of left tackles as far as the Pro Bowl is concerned. Young former first-rounders Ryan Clady of the Broncos, Jake Long of the Dolphins and Joe Thomas of the Browns are in the Pro Bowl. D'Brickashaw Ferguson of the Jets was the first alternate in the AFC. All are just entering their primes.