Fisher focuses on coaching, and not his contract status
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After going 9-23 over the past two seasons, the Titans? coach is headed into the final year on his contract, although owner Bud Adams holds an option for 2007.
Fisher?s also faced with another rebuilding project after the Titans purged the last of its high-priced veterans by trading Steve McNair to Baltimore.
But Fisher says he isn?t worried.
?I was in a similar situation back in ?99. I?m not concerned about it. I trust things will get worked out. I?m not the first coach that?s gone into the last year of his contract or in this case, had a year or two left,? Fisher said.
Fisher doesn?t shoulder all the blame for the past two seasons.
After putting together the NFL?s best regular-season record between 1999 and 2003, the Titans were dismantled when they crashed up against the league?s salary cap.
Coming into his 12th training camp as the franchise?s head coach, Fisher is looking at a roster filled with 33 players drafted since 2004.
But all the salary cap decisions and rebuilding plans, which included the drafting of Vince Young with the No. 3 pick overall over the more NFL-ready Matt Leinart, have included Adams.
?This is not something we just stumbled on. This is something that was evolving over the last couple years. He fully understands what happened and where we are. He has the same expectations we do. He wants to win more games and see improvement,? Fisher said of his boss.
The Titans have plenty of room for improvement even if it doesn?t translate into a winning record in 2006.
They went 4-12 last season with a string of injuries that forced constant shuffling, such as starting a pair of rookie receivers in a 20-14 loss at Cleveland. They didn?t have a 100-yard rusher in 16 games, and tight ends were three of their top four pass catchers.
?People talk about finding an identity,? Fisher said. ?That?s a little bit misleading. It?s difficult when you?ve got 16 or 18 starters on the bench or I.R. (injured reserve) to stand up and say, `Keep doing this or that.??
So Fisher and his staff, including offensive coordinator Norm Chow in his second NFL season, studied every play and every decision made last season and tried to adjust accordingly.
?We?ve won a lot of games here with the philosophy. The philosophy has not changed. This is an excellent staff. They understand what it takes to win. They?re excellent teachers. We feel like we?ve got many of the tools to go ahead and start a new campaign,? Fisher said.
Fisher issued a no-tolerance policy for off-field problems after having five different players arrested before the 2005 season. The one player cited this offseason ? defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for reckless endangerment ? had those charges dismissed last month.
The Titans tried to improve the locker room by going after free agents known for their leadership skills as well as their playing abilities. McNair, who could have worked harder with his new, younger teammates, spent a couple months in limbo before finally being traded away in June.
Taking advantage of their first real salary cap space in years, they signed center Kevin Mawae, linebacker David Thornton, safety Chris Hope and receiver David Givens. They also re-signed defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, another hard-worker who played his way into his first Pro Bowl last season.
The Titans drafted players from winning programs such as Young, who led Texas to the national title in January, and running back LenDale White, who was on the losing side of that game with Southern California.
Fisher likes the hard-working personality that has developed with this revamped roster.
?You look back over recent history in the NFL, anything can happen. You can flip it quick,? Fisher said.
To further mold his team, Fisher decided to hold the first two weeks of training camp in Clarksville, leaving his Titans with only football to occupy them.
?We feel like this team now needs to be molded very quickly to a very competitive, potentially championship team,? Fisher said.
Based on his track record, betting against Fisher would be difficult. Don?t expect lots of attention if Adams decides to extend the contract of his winningest coach in the franchise?s 46-year history.
?When there are talks, they?ll be private,? Fisher said.
Leaving more time to coach football.