Jeff Fisher needs to be fired.
Before you assume it, I'm not pinning this latest loss on just him. From the three or four off-sides penalties, to the horrible pass interference by Chris Hope, there were multiple reasons why the Titans didn't win this game. However, you also have to put the blame on Fisher, with his predictable playcalling once his team gets the lead in the fourth quarter. He plays not to win, but rather, not to lose.
The passing game was really working all game for Tennessee. Vince Young continued his good play this season with precise passes to multiple receivers, while moving the ball against the Denver secondary. However, once the lead was theirs going into the fourth, Fisher went back to his typical "Fisherball" (as quoted by so many fans) approach, running the ball mostly every play to kill the clock.
And of course, it failed once again. Instead of continuing to trust Young with the reigns of the offense and letting him shred the Denver secondary to move the ball down the field, Fisher put the ball in the hands of his runningback Chris Johnson, who was facing eight and nine man fronts with a mediocre offensive line blocking for him. Oh, and might I mention the horrible challenge on a fourth and inches in the fourth quarter? This was just another example of how overrated he is.
Last week was another terrible showing by Fisher especially, with his predictable playcalling in the first half almost costing the Titans the game. 17 runs and four passes? That's just horrendous.
He kills runningbacks' careers. If you need an example, look at Eddie George and his sharp decline throughout his years in the NFL. If you want a more recent example, you might be able to plug in Johnson. A 5'11", 190-pound weapon shouldn't be getting 30 carries a game; I don't care if he's the best runningback in the league or not. He didn't get that many today, but his back-up Javon Ringer sprung free for a 51-yarder in the second quarter. Do you think he gets the ball more after that? Just once.
Oh, but there is a positive from his coaching today. He finally played Jared Cook! Yes, that Jared Cook, the one that we traded a second-rounder to New England to move up and get him. About 10 games too late, Cook finally saw significant playing time and what does he do? Perform great, catching the first pass of the game for 16 yards, then beating All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins later in the game in what would have been a huge gain if Young didn't slightly overthrow it. He's 6'5", 260 pounds, runs a 4.6 40-yard dash and catches the ball well; there isn't a linebacker or safety that can run with him and he could be a major weapon on the Titans, but of course, he barely plays.
Fisher has had his job saved TWICE by Young. After starting 0-5 during Young's rookie year, the former Texas quarterback rattled off a 8-3 mark to end the season, saving Fisher from another sub-.500 season and giving him another season in Nashville. And I'm positive everyone knows about last year's documented season, when coming off a 13-3 record the past year, Tennessee starts 2009 at 0-6, capped off by a 59-0 loss to the Patriots. Young is forced in as the starter by the owner Bud Adams, and Young responds with a 8-2 finish, saving Fisher's job once again.
The last game was Fisher's 250th regular season game coached in the NFL. He joined George Halas, Tom Landy, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Curly Lambeau, Steve Owen and Bud Grant in that exclusive group. Not too bad of company, right? Well, who coaches (going on) 17 years and has a record of just 138-112? That's terrible compared to names he's with. I've even heard Hall of Fame rumors for Fisher; Canton should be ashamed if he ever gets voted in, unless he wins a Super Bowl this season. He does have the talent to possibly pull that off, but you know he'll screw it up somehow.
It's time for a change. Jeff Fisher, you've had a nice run, but I think the below graphic explains exactly what I've tried to say in this blog post.
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