Fisher: Moss has been positive influence on Titans

I was able to get a sneak preview of the sitdown between Titans coach Jeff Fisher and NFL Network’s Steve Mariucci that will air tonight during Thursday Night Kickoff (that’s 6 p.m. ET on NFL Network, folks).

The conversation is telling on a number of fronts, and there’s no shortage of storylines involving the Titans this season, from the Vince Young saga, to the addition of Randy Moss ,to the health of Mike Heimerdinger ,to the fight involving Cortland Finnegan ,to Fisher’s future in Tennessee.

All on the table.

We’ll have a story up on NFL.com later today highlighting some key comments Fisher has on Young’s commitment to playing in the NFL.

As for Moss, he described his brief tenure in Tennessee by saying “nothing has happened.” Even so, Fisher paints a pretty clear picture of how Moss has had an impact on the Titans.

Here’s a glimpse:

Mariucci: You were the only team that claimed Randy Moss off waivers.  When he arrived, when you had a discussion with him, did you tell him what you expected, and also maybe discussed what he could expect from you?

Fisher: Yeah, we had a good lengthy conversation when we got here at the facility in the morning.  And, you know, oftentimes what happens is the perception of what takes place elsewhere isn’t necessarily reality.  So, he cleared the air there, and I was just excited to have him in the building, and it was really fun to see his enthusiasm about wanting to be here, and just wanting to help us win, and — and willing to do whatever it takes.

And, you know, just meeting the guys, he’s been great.  He really has been (a) positive influence on this football team. Now, we haven’t won a game since he got here, but he’s been a positive influence.  I mean, you take a veteran receiver like that, who takes the young receivers in the weight room and takes ‘em through his workout routine three days a week, and stays after practice, extra, with the young receivers, too.  And so, that’s what he’s done for this football team. It’s been really good to have him around.

Mariucci: And with just five catches in four games, he’s still okay, he’s still upbeat?

Fisher: Oh yeah.

Mariucci: Leader in this locker room?

Fisher: He has been really good, yeah.                                     

Mariucci: Do you expect him (to start)?

Fisher: He understands, and he knew when he came in here that Kenny Britt is a pretty good player, and Kenny was gonna be down for five, six weeks. And when Kenny comes back, then Kenny’s gonna play also.  So, we have them play the same position you’re playing, so, you’re both gonna play.  And his response was, “Coach, I just am here to help you win.  I just want to win some games.”

We’re a few hours away from kickoff, so make sure to check out Thursday Night Kickoff for the full Fisher/Mariucci interview, as well as NFL.com for more on Fisher’s drama-filled season.

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Fisher will move Titans ahead, with or without V.Y.

Jeff Fisher is a coach who has always had his finger on the pulse of his team. It’s why he’s been with the same organization for 16 years.

Fisher is never going to let one player hold his team hostage. It’s why he wasn’t afraid to bring in Randy Moss, and it’s why he now isn’t afraid to take on Vince Young.

We’ve heard about the postgame fallout in the Titans’ locker room, and Fisher was never going to sit in front of his team and let a player undermine him. He wasn’t going to let Young put the focus on himself. The focus is and always should be on the team, and never about anyone else but the team.

For Young to walk out after Fisher tried to calm him down, it was clear — in front of the whole team — that he was walking out on them.

Fisher is a coach who commands respect, and I think he does it the right way. He doesn’t belittle people, he’s not a bully and he treats men the way men want to be treated. I always believed that most head coaches understand that respect is reciprocal. You have to give respect in order to get it back. While many coaches make you earn it, Fisher is so confident in himself that he’s willing to give all players respect when they walk in the door until they prove they don’t deserve it. It’s up to the player if they want to burn up that equity.

Well, Young is burning the remaining equity he has with Fisher, who on several occasions has allowed the quarterback to work his way back and rebuild the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates. Fisher provides Young with a roadmap to earn it back, but he just torches the bridge. He napalms it. It’s gone in an instant.

The latest incident involving Young happened in front of the entire team, and not behind closed doors. The team saw it for themselves, and there’s no way that can sit well with anyone who is trying to win football games. You can’t follow someone who is supposed to be a leader and creates this drama.

Knowing Fisher the way that I do, there’s always a chance the damage is irreversible. But with Fisher, there’s also almost always a second chance. Young has already had second and third chances, and if he gets another to earn back Fisher’s respect, it will be more difficult this time around than it ever has been in the past.

In the time I’ve spent with Young, I witnessed his growth in maturity and heard him say the right things, which I hadn’t heard before. But I’ve always maintained the moments the “new” Young would be tested would be moments of adversity that were still to come. When people turn over a new leaf, only time can really tell. As optimistic as we may be, and as much as I believed in him, I still told myself that.

I think yesterday was a time that told us a lot about Young.

Far be it for me to judge what Fisher does, but I do know he’s going to take the team and move on. If the Titans ever call on Young again, we’ll see if he’s prepared for that moment. If not, Fisher and the Titans will roll without him.

One player doesn’t hold the Titans back.

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Vince Young or Jeff Fisher – do both come back to the Titans in 2011?

What does the future of Vince Young look like for the Titans? There’s been plenty of speculation about it either being Young or Jeff Fisher, but not both, being back in Tennessee in 2011.

Young was placed on on injured reserve with a torn tendon in his right (throwing) thumb, ending his season Monday, and his biggest fan, Bud Adams already seems to be saying that the QB will be back in 2011.

Adams told reporters Monday that Fisher and Vince Young would have to “learn to get along.” While Fisher was noncommittal, Adams also said that Young would definitely be a Titan in 2011.

The QB is due a $4.25 million roster bonus in the offseason, and we shall see if Adams’ mood changes when he has to write that check come March.

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Titans coach Jeff Fisher wishes the team had been able to keep RB LeGarrette Blount

Remember that the Titans were the team that first drafted troubled college running back LeGarrette Blount?

Well, now that the Titans are working out running backs, including former first-round pick Larry Johnson, one has to wonder if Jeff Fisher regrets getting rid of Blount.

If your wondering the same thing – Fisher does say he wishes Blount was still a Titan. “I thought we could get him to the practice squad, get him on practice squad, knowing that when and if there was any kind of interest, we could bring him back to the active roster. That didn’t happen, but I’m very, very happy for him.”

Blount was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now has 359 yards rushing with four touchdowns on 75 carries this year.

As far as Johnson goes, Fisher says that he’s ready if the Titans do decide to sign him, but as of now no decision has been made.

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