You know it, you love it, how's about another heaping helping of Jeff Fisher to start your day before the playoff games?
Late yesterday it was reported by Howard Blazer that Jeff Fisher was close to picking the St Louis Rams as his team of choice to coach next season (and many more?).
With that news heating up the air waves, I wanted to talk a little bit about what this could mean for the Rams moving forward, and also about what Fisher will bring to an organization that has been desperate for an experienced Head Coach for quite some time.
Let's face it, the last two head coaches have had 0 head coaching experience. Yes, ZERO. Instead of experience, the Rams seemed to hold try outs. If the Rams land Fisher, Stan Kroenke would make a major statement on just how serious he is about revitalizing the Rams organization, point blank.
Other than Kroenke solidfying his status, what else would it mean to the Rams if they landed Fisher? What would be bring to the Rams?
Before We dive in, I want to say that I believe (while he is a damn good football coach) that Jeff Fisher is a bit overrated. By that, I mean that the media circus is ridiculous. He is a good football coach, not a god. He just happens to be the best available at this time. Am I ok with that? Hell yea! I think the guy would do an outstanding job.
OK with that said, after the jump we'll look at some of the things that Jeff Fisher would bring to the Rams.
1. Experience
This has to be number one. As stated above, the last two Rams head coaches were rookies, and look how that panned out. Fisher has 17 years head coaching experience. Yes, 17 years.
Even though one would argue his overall win % isn't that impressive (.542) you have to keep in mind that in his first 3 seasons when the Titans were the Houston Oilers, it has been said that they were in shambles during the transition.. they didn't have a decent practice facility (played on mud basically) and were holding meetings in trailers.
It wasn't a very good environment, yet in 1999 he took the Titans to the Superbowl. Point is, he seems to ALSO have experience in turning things around. Plus take into account he is 5-6 in the playoffs, which while isn't outstanding, still shows more experience as well.
He lost in 1999 to the Rams (Superbowl by one yard from tying), Ravens in 2000 (uhhh defense anyone?), 2002 to the Raiders (they had a stout offense that year), 2003 to the Patriots (dynasty), 2007 to the Chargers (not a push over), and the Ravens in 2008 who still had a pretty stout defense and improved offense. I know, you gotta find a way, but hey the point is he's been there done that.
2. Emotion
I know, we're all fond of the Spags hand clap and it will be missed, but i'm talking about RAW emotion. If the Rams land Fisher, look for some activity on the sidelines particularly with the officials.
Fisher won't stand for bad calls and will get in their grills with no hesitation. You'll also see plenty of hugging and encouragement going on as players leave the field. But if a player screws up, he will hear about it too.
That's Jeff Fisher. Picture Pete Carroll without the gum, a mustache, and about 50% less running up and down the sidelines. That's what you'll see on Sunday's.
3. Pedigree
Even though I hate this word because it sounds like i'm talking about dog food, I guess it's the only one I can think of. Fisher has some serious experience working under some of the top head coaches in NFL history.
In 1985 he was an assistant defensive coach to one Buddy Ryan in Chicago. "Da... Bears!". When Ryan left the Bears to coach the Eagles after winning the Superbowl, Fisher went with him and became the Eagles defensive backs coach.
In 1988 Fisher was promoted to defensive coordinator at the young age of 30. In 1989 the Eagles defense led the NFL in interceptions (30) and sacks (62). In 1991 he worked under John Robinson as the Rams defensive coordinator, and the next two seasons he worked as defensive backs coach for the Niners.
Uhhh Bill Walsh / George Seifert anyone?
4. Respect
I'm not stating that Spags brought no respect here. I'm just stating that Fisher brings a helluva lot more. Just referencing the above names, coupled with the years he has in the league will garner attention not just from officiating crews, but from players as well. Having Fisher in town could sway players to want to come here, and/or stay here.
5. Real Answers at Press Conferences
Nothing tweaked my chain more than hearing Spags on the podium talking about 'Effort" and how guys battled until the end. We got it Spags.. we know... I think after week 2 you could put that to bed. With Fisher, you won't get that. If it was poor coaching, you'll hear it. If it was bad execution. You'll hear it. If it was poor officiating, guess what? You'll hear it... and so will the officials. No BS, just flat out real answers. Hell this alone may be reason to sign him. <snicker>
0 recs | 92 comments
he would be a good coach without much talent ...would not turn it around overnite
only proven offensive player is sjx….not sure if Lloyd is staying or not
jswirb - January 7, 2012
Hey look everybody
POSITIVITEY FROM JSWIRBDCRamFan - January 7, 2012
jswirb is Ramchop in disguise - i kid you not
but i for one miss the beloved Ramchop so…. welcome jswirb….welcome…..lets hear you bitch and moan
DevsLaRams - January 7, 2012
I SAID YOU WERE GOING TO SAY THAT MONTHS AGO!!!
ramdude - January 7, 2012
and
Danteslion - January 7, 2012
The end
ramdude - January 7, 2012
Fisher would be a change
from the status quo of the last regime. I’m fine with that. He seems to be a fired up, players type coach who gets everyone organizationally, top to bottom on the same page.
I thought the FO would pick the GM first and have that GM be instrumental in selecting a Head Coach (as with Devaney and Spagnoulo…). But, stepping back and looking at it in the contrary, having Fisher in place and selecting a GM that will work to build Jeff Fisher’s team might be a better way to go. The coach will be fired for failure on the field regardless of the players he was subjected to pick from, as in the demise of the Spagnoulo era. This way Jeff has no scapegoats, it will be his team. I like that formula. If it pans out.
Guitpik - January 7, 2012
i agree ---and no 4 pillar nonsense----just winning
jswirb - January 7, 2012
Yeah, that 4 pillar
crap may work in business, but this is the NFL. You bring up a good point, Fisher has experience working with some of the worst head-cases in NFL history and had success.
Guitpik - January 7, 2012
Unless the 4 pillars are along the lines of:
1. Run
2. Pass
3. Catch
4. HIT
LARams1968 - January 7, 2012
lol
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
and catch
(just making sure)
ramdude - January 7, 2012
lol!
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
4a
TTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taosman - January 7, 2012
Questions about JF
Do not get me wrong here, JF could do wonders for us but I do wonder about the following.
1. Can he “keep” the team playing in losing seasons? We all know he will bring in guys with much less than the “4 pillars” (i.e. Haynsworth, PacMan, Britt, Finnegan, White, etc) that can poison teams. Can he handle these types of issues during losing periods?
2. His philosophy is similiar to Spags in regards on how to manage a football game (i.e. defense wins the games, offense just needs to put up enough points for the defense to hold leads). Can he find a coordinator in the 1st year that can do that for us? I say 1st year because the last thing we would need is SB needing to change systems again after this year.
RBramfan - January 7, 2012
I see your point
but, those will be questions for any HC hired by this team.
My thoughts on:
#1: He had those problem players playing so well for him that other teams were willing to still pay dearly to have them play for their teams full well knowing the negative side associated with the player.
#2: Leadership has never been a question with Fisher. In a team aspect, that means to me that he knows how to assemble assistant coaches as well as players. The Titans are still a competitive team and he assembled most on the team that played this season.
Guitpik - January 7, 2012
One other thing I forgot.
This is mainly for Doug but can he get along with Derinda?
RBramfan - January 7, 2012
Albert Haynsworth
Wouldn’t be too surprised to see ol’haynsworth back with Fisher
TexasRam - January 7, 2012 via mobile
He already jettisoned
Big Al once. I doubt he’d bring him back for any reason whatsoever.
Guitpik - January 7, 2012
Do not want
turpinforpresident - January 7, 2012
about the last two playoff losses
the chargers won on a bounce pass ruled a catch on the last drive that kept the drive alive.
the ravens game turnovers killed them. that and having cj not play at all in the 2nd half. he was killing them in the first half before he got hurt.
water under the bridge but fisher will bring a hard-nosed team into play that will be held accountable. no more of this ‘i am not mad at them, i am mad for them’ crap. no you screw up like some of our guys did and you will be in his doghouse for a long time. he does not coddle players and will tell them what is expected of them and demand it.
he could get this team in the playoffs in his first year. they really are not that far off, just need some winning attitude and a few players in key positions.
hbwb - January 7, 2012
Mcdaniels
Meanwhile Mcdaniels is rejoining the Pats for the playoffs per schefter. Glad that ahole gets this opportunity
TexasRam - January 7, 2012 via mobile
im pretty sure the pats OC is going to finish the playoffs
i think
Ram_Redemption - January 7, 2012
OC stays on but Mcdaniels comes in as special assistant
TexasRam - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as an offensive assistant: will coach in playoffs. Becomes OC in 2012.
Schefter • 1/7/12 10:27 AM
TexasRam - January 7, 2012 via mobile
What a fuckstick.
Seriously. Goodbye and good riddance. And take your QB coach with you— oh, wait. McGenius decided his second year qb with a new complex system didn’t need one.
Go fuck yourself all the way back to Foxborough.
FailureDrill - January 7, 2012 via Android app
Headline reads
Mcdaniels rejoins fuck buddy Brady.
You’re a whore Peter!
TexasRam - January 7, 2012 via mobile
who you callin' a whore?
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
If the shoe fits ... and it does, wear it !
I think “K” man brought in McD to blow the place up. It worked.
VETT - January 8, 2012
I would be happy
with a coach that let the refs have it when they make terrible calls. I never saw Spags raise his voice at a ref, and as a result, I have to imagine the refs had a bet to see who could make the worst “legal” call on the Rams this season (and last, and the year before that, and ….)
thisguy - January 7, 2012
Fisher will be good for the Rams if they get him,
which I’m really hoping they do, since that will keep his damned QB-eating defense out of the AFC. He worked for one of the cheapest, most foolish owners in the NFL in Nashville. The situation has to be better with the Rams, right?
Good luck getting him away from Miami. I doubt he’ll go to Miami when he can have Bradford and a #2 pick in St. Louis.
FreedomRide - January 7, 2012
Does anyone have any idea about OC/DC if Fisher comes to the Rams?
Are there any connections with Fisher and other coordinators/coaches that are currently available? Not to put the cart before the horse, but I’m just curious.
OkieWXman - January 7, 2012
This is the staff he had in 1999
Front Office
Founder/Owner/Chairman of the Board/CEO – Bud Adams
President/Chief Operating Officer – Jeff Diamond
Executive Vice President/General Manager – Floyd Reese
Director of Player Personnel – Rich Snead
Head Coaches
Head Coach – Jeff Fisher
Assistant Head Coach/Running Game – George Henshaw
Offensive Coaches
Offensive Coordinator – Les Steckel
Quarterbacks – Bart Andrus
Running Backs – Sherman Smith
Wide Receivers – Steve Walters
Offensive Line – Mike Munchak
Defensive Coaches
Defensive Coordinator – Gregg Williams
Defensive Line – Jim Washburn
Linebackers – O’Neill Gilbert
Defensive Backs – Jerry Gray
Defensive Assistant/Quality Control – Jim Schwartz
Special Teams Coaches
Special Teams – Alan Lowry
Strength and Conditioning
Strength and Conditioning – Steve Watterson
(Wow, they had Strength AND Conditioning. We only have Strength and it shows)
ramdude - January 7, 2012
good stuff!
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
Need to get the band back together!
ramdude - January 7, 2012
I think the Titans were the better team in the 2000 Super Bowl
When I look back at the film, they appear to have been stronger and in better shape on defense and close to equal on offense – and that’s saying a lot. They controlled more of the game and if we played 2 out of 3 games, they might have taken it.
So if he can prepare us as well as he did for that game – welcome to your new home.
ramdude - January 7, 2012
they also beat us in 1999 during the regular season
at one point leading 21-0
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
McNair was unbelievable that year in particular
ramdude - January 7, 2012
Incredible
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
Funny
When I look at the tape I see a Rams team that basically rolled over the Titans in the first half and if not for a few miscues would have blown them out. Also I especially like the TD run by George where his knee was down well before he even sniffed the end zone. Rams were the better team in the SB and from what I remember from the regular season game was the Rams basically came out unfocused and nearly came back in the 2nd half of the game… I believe it was a turning point for the team and helped them when they faced the adversity against Tampa in the NFC championship.
Still the fact that Fisher was responsible for keeping his team focused and getting back into that SB speaks volumes… I especially like his rant about the Rams celebrating on the side line before the game was over. No doubt he is a good coach.
Sggladden - January 7, 2012
Completely agree with the last part
He was up against it preparing for the GSoT. But he did a great job.
ramdude - January 7, 2012
Making a jswirb type prediction
BRADY BREAKS BREES PASSING RECORD NEXT SEASON!!!!
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
That's a positive outcome, so you're incorrect. It should be something like this:
a large number of nfl teams will not make the playoffs next year
maybe one day everyone will listen to me
steven jackson will not rush for 2000 yards
just you wait and see
one day you will listen to the all knowing jswirb
FailureDrill - January 7, 2012 via Android app
THE WORLD WILL END 12/21/12
AND BRADFORD WILL NOT GO TO THE PRO BOWL IN JANUARY 2013.
You heard it here FIRST.
ramdude - January 7, 2012
funny shit...
I guess that means Lloyd will follow McD to NE? Lloyd did say he’ll only play for McD cause of the way McD uses Lloyd in the Off. Buh-Bye you two.
RamsFan1979 - January 7, 2012
Yea I think hes gone
Which IMO makes wr our biggest need.
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
sad thing is
The sad thing is NE really needs a true WR. Dion Branch, Chad 85 they all done
fearsomefoursum - January 7, 2012
IM RIGHT MOST OF THE TIME
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
WHY DONT YOU GUYS LISTEN TO ME?!
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
NOT GONNA HAPPEN, CALLED IT!!!!
AM I TALKIN TO MY SELF?!!?!?!
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
I'll take the FL lotto numbers if you have them
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
Yeaah RG. if we take matt kalil i will shoot are GM. I WANT BLACKMON
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
If we get Blackmon first round. would anybody like getting a playmaker running back in the second? I would
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
we also get pick #1 in the second round
That could bring trades too
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
I think whether we trade back in the first or not
Blackmon is a big possibility at the two spot, if Lloyd leaves. Without Lloyd our corps is shit..
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
word. Only players i like on are corps are Salas and Amendola
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
Yes and both are Slot which is sad
Mark Clayton: 2 at best
DX: too injury prone to start
Pettis: 2 at the very best
Amendola: slot
Salas: slot
Gibson: GTFO, NOW!!!
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
agree. Clayton is also injury prone IMO.
Only receivers worth keeping are Salas, Amendola, and Pettis.
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
He might be gone after this season
Damn we need playmakers, if we don’t get Blackmon I want Floyd or Alshon, no other wr in this class has number 1 ability..
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Yeah..... I think Kendall Wright might have number 1 ability. He would be a steel in the second in my eyes
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
Yea he has playmaking ability indeed
I wounder if he can do some kickoff and punt returning..
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
He is very good at returning kicks. I have seen tapes and he looks like he can take anything to the end zone.
Him and Blackmon are my 2 favorite receivers in this class. Both are very good playmakers.
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
I'm still a big fan of Pettis and believe he has #2 WR potential, which is good
Which brings up a question actually. Isn’t Amendola’s contract up now? What are the chances we get him re-signed?
ramswo85 - January 7, 2012
Honestly...I'm not liking Blackmon at the #2 spot
When I watch him play, I don’t see Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald, and imo, that’s the type of WR we’d have to get at that spot. I’d much rather us go after Floyd later on in the draft or even Alshon Jeffery still seeing as how his stock is falling.
ramswo85 - January 7, 2012
Yes true
But would you say that the only think he doesn’t have that they do is height. I mean he has the ball skills, the quickness, the toughness to go over the center and take the hit, has the deep threat ability, plus can turn a 3 yard slant into a TD. Not saying he will be as good but I don’t think he’s far off.
RG31 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Does any one know
if we could put the Francise tag on Lloyd?
Sggladden - January 7, 2012
No.
F—ck running the ball. The best teams use the pass to set the run game up and when you do that you don’t need superman in your back field. We’re set at RB for a few years so no sense in hurting positions of need to draft a RB.
Sggladden - January 7, 2012
must have blackmon
blackmon first round OT second
fearsomefoursum - January 7, 2012
Even though Fisher is leaning our way
because of the draft picks and the power he’ll have, make no mistake about it, he is entering a massive crap hole… we have no O-Line either… we do have some foundations in place though
VTramsFan - January 7, 2012
Where there's a proper porn stash, there's a way
ramdude - January 7, 2012
I like Jonathon Martin better than Matt Kalil IMO
Better footwork and better run blocker.
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
umm no
Matt Kalil is wayyyyyy better
FakDaddy - January 7, 2012
I just have a feeling Matt Kalil will be a bust.
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
kalil is as bout as safe as a pick as u can get in this draft
Ram_Redemption - January 7, 2012
thats what hey said about jason smith :(
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
*they
Cameron David Miri - January 7, 2012
Uh really?
So the critics were willing to put their mouths and money on a guy who played one season in college at tackle and crown his ass as the next best thing to sliced bread? I call shenanigans.
That was a sorry draft year, and the tackles that year were not great, save Oher.
81 Witness - January 7, 2012
I hated that pick at the time
and my impression of it has only declined since. What a F-ing waste of a pick!
Sggladden - January 7, 2012
nah dude smith had questions from day one
kalil has been a str8 beast
Ram_Redemption - January 7, 2012
Kalil has been seen as a better prospect than his Pro Bowl brother
since his sophomore year.
douchiedude - January 7, 2012
No they didn't, not at all.
He was extremely inexperienced at tackle. What they said was he had a very high ceiling because of his athletic ability.
douchiedude - January 7, 2012
so true
blackmon 1st OT 2nd TE 3rd cb fourth
fearsomefoursum - January 7, 2012
ppl question if he is aggressive enough to be a LT
Ram_Redemption - January 7, 2012
What about Riley Reiff? NFLscout.com has him rated the #1 OT in the coming draft
Douglas M - January 7, 2012
if we trade down.
im almost positive reiff will be our first pick. big bulky country fed lineman. just the way LT should be
Ram_Redemption - January 7, 2012
You are as high as it gets.
Watch Stanford vs. USC and tell me which LT gets abused? I’ll give you a hint, it sure as hell is not Matt Kalil. But I agree, Martin’s better than the guy who never gave up a sack and had every long touchdown run on his side.
douchiedude - January 7, 2012
The best thing about hiring Fisher (if it happens), is that we FINALLY get an experienced coach...
And if it doesn’t happen, and he goes to the ‘fins, who’s our plan B for Head Coach???
(BTW, I realise we never had a plan B when Spags was coaching the team on the field…or a plan A…oh, hang on, plan A was "run-run-run-punt – unless we were on the one-yard line – which was then pass-pass-pass-missed FG – which I guess was our plan B – so he did have one! Who’d have thunk it…)
JoolzMF - January 7, 2012
The fact that you're not hearing anything about a plan B
should tell you how we like our chances of signing Fisher : )
If we get rejected by Fisherand we’re not, I’d go with Billick.
Sggladden - January 7, 2012
Great news that obtaining
JF as our HC is almost done. It will be a great day in Ram football. I suspect as others have observed that JF will focus on both lines during the draft. You have to think he will spend an early pick (probably #33) on a DT. Would not be surprised to see him trade down a bit for extra picks and nab Martin or Reiff with our #1 pick followed by a run stuffing DT with our first pick in the 2nd round. It will be interesting to see if he can attract Finnegan to St. Louis to help anchor our secondary. I see good times ahead!
RamTeaPartier - January 7, 2012
Experience is key
While there was potential in the last regime, it became pretty apparent that they didn’t know what the hell they were doing. Fish has been there, he’s been to the super bowl even (mwahaha). With the position we’re in being as bad as it is, we just can’t risk taking another guy with no experience
turpinforpresident - January 7, 2012
If fisher comes.
he brings what the rams need, toughness. also with him and being respected by players he could bring in some good free agents that want to play for him. just a thought.
crazy mike - January 7, 2012
I agree, a bit overrated.
But he’s still one of those coaches that will annually put up a playoff team with the pieces in place, and that is rare to find. So HELLS YES.
douchiedude - January 7, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Turf Show Times to post a comment.