Jeff Fisher

Jeff Fisher is interested in becoming the new Miami Dolphins head coach, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune. After several seasons of playing third fiddle behind the New England Patriots and New York Jets, it's a move that would help the Dolphins turn the tide.

Fisher spent more than 16 seasons with the Tennessee Titans before the two sides went their separate ways after last season. He complied a 142-120 regular season record with the team and made a Super Bowl appearance in 1999.

He's used to motivating his team to play the underdog role after spending so many years going up against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. The Dolphins are in a very similar situation.

Since Fisher has always been considered a defensive-minded coach, he would likely take a similar approach to Rex Ryan's in New York. That is, building a strong defense which can at least slow down Tom Brady and company to give your offense a chance to keep up.

The Dolphins' biggest need, however, is quarterback. Matt Moore showed glimpses of being a serviceable signal-caller during his playing time this season, but isn't a long-term option at the position.

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are both expected to be off the board by the time Miami picks, which puts the team in an awkward position. Do they attempt to trade up to snag Griffin, reach for another prospect like Landry Jones or look to bulk up the defense in the first round?

It's just one of many questions the new Dolphins coach will need to deal with almost immediately. That's why a veteran like Fisher would be a much better choice than a young coach taking his first coaching gig. Big decisions are tough to make while just getting your feet wet.

Fisher has seen it all during his career and will be prepared to make those tough calls right away.

He will also bring a new attitude to the table. No matter how bad the Titans were struggling, the one thing that was never said about them is that they quit. They might have lacked the talent to stay in contention at times, but they always worked hard.

That type of outlook is exactly what it's going to take for the Dolphins to become a factor in the AFC East. Players need to believe they can keep pace with the Patriots and Jets before they actual do it and Fisher will make sure they enter each game with that warrior attitude.

There still needs to be a talent infusion, both through the draft and free agency, before the Dolphins can fancy themselves as contenders.

However, hiring Fisher will set the wheels in motion to make that happen.

According to news reports, former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is being wined and dined by a multitude of NFL teams in search of a new coach.

Fisher has reportedly sat down with decision makers in Miami and is now on his way to St. Louis. Those are just the first two stops in the top-rated Jeff Fisher Tour, which will likely see the one-time Chicago Bears safety talking to just about every team owner with a coaching vacancy.

I have no beef with Jeff Fisher, but I just don't get the misguided fascination for him.   

I suppose it's because he's a fiery, take-no-guff kind of guy. It could be because his teams have generally played hard for him and admired him. These are appealing traits for some team owners, who are tired of players who fail to produce or who are simply interested in themselves and not the team. It is fair to want a coach who changes the culture for the better.

That being said, someone will have to explain to me just how this guy suddenly has become the hottest NFL coaching prospect. I don't get it.  

Fisher coached 17 years for the Titans but managed only six winning seasons. Yes, there were a number of 8-8 seasons sprinkled throughout his tenure, but after all those years he just barely has a .500 winning percentage. Further, Fisher went to just one Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams in a game that he lost. That's just his record.  

As a coach I often found him unimaginative. His teams generally played it safe and boring. Fisher was probably the only coach who could have grounded Air McNair.

The late Steve McNair came to the Titans renowned for throwing the long ball—thus his nickname "Air". However, Fisher's usual offensive game plan took away McNair's greatest strength and turned him into a guy who handed the ball off to the tailback more often than he threw it down the field.

To be fair, though, his defenses were physical, tough and hard-nosed.  

What's more, none of this is to say that Jeff Fisher is not a competent coach. I'm just saying that he has had far more years than most coaches ever get to show us something extraordinary.

After nearly two decades, he so far has failed to do that.  

Via profootballtalk.com: 

Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star made a return visit to PFT Live on Tuesday for part of our ongoing coverage of what I’ve dubbed, against my better judgment, the Polianoscopy in Indianapolis.

Kravitz dropped a bombshell during an intriguing 15-minute chat.  Kravitz believes that the Colts, who continue to employ Jim Caldwell as the head coach but neither Vice Chairman Bill Polian or G.M. Chris Polian, may already have reached out to Jeff Fisher.  Kravitz also thinks that Fisher would then have input on who the next G.M. would be, creating a package deal.

If this information turns out to be true, the AFC South will be better than Jersey Shore in 2012. Fisher, the former Tennessee Titans mainstay, took the 2011 season off. His departure from Tennessee was a little rocky, marred by a controversy between him and quarterback Vince Young. After the 2010 season the Titans had to make a decision between Young and Fisher, and they chose to release Young and keep Fisher. Very quickly, Jeff Fisher realized it just wasn't working out, and both the team and Fisher decided everyone would be a whole lot better off if they parted ways. The Titans hired Mike Munchak, and Fisher did what Fisher does when he's not the head ball coach of the Tennessee Titans. 

To immediately take a head position in the same division as the Titans, and of all teams the Indianapolis Colts, Jeff Fisher would really have to have a special curiosity about being a coach in Indianapolis. 

Not only would he be taking over a 2-14 team, he would be taking on the responsibility of answering the 1,000 daily questions about Peyton Manning's health. Once he has that question answered, the next question and every subsequent question would be something in the nature of "Do you want to beat the Titans?" Of course he does, but the question would get old quick.

We can all remember Fisher dawning a Peyton Manning jersey at a fund raiser and claiming that he "wanted to feel like a winner." This came, during his own teams 0-6 start in 2009, and it just didn't sit right with the Titan faithful. To now really dawn a Colts jersey, the Titans-Colts rivalry would be taken to another level.

Perhaps, though, this would be good for the AFC South. Perhaps a little more media attention wouldn't be so bad for the players on the Colts roster coming off a 2-14 season trying to get some national attention. 

For the Titans, every Colts win and playoff birth would be a reminder that they let Fisher walk away. 

For Fisher, becoming the head coach of the Colts might just be the type of position he is looking for to continue that "Fisher Magic." He continues to be held in high regard, yet since 2000 he has only had two playoff victories. Turning the Colts from a 2-14 team to an 8-8 team would continue the trend of celebrated mediocrity. There is that possibility, though, that getting his franchise QB might exercise his demons and get him that elusive Superbowl ring. 

Fisher might be able to go all the way with a healthy Peyton Manning. Perhaps, all Fisher ever really needed to get that ring was just a little Luck.

We will watch how this plays out, but don't expect any comments from Fisher while Jim Caldwell is still the head coach of the Colts. 

According to a report, Jeff Fisher will interview with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday and Thursday.

This, however, has not been confirmed by the Rams. 

Fisher looks to be a hot target for teams with head coaching opportunities around the NFL. Some are speculating that St. Louis is his most likely destination although the Miami Dolphins, who are reportedly ready to break the bank for him, are also showing heavy interest. 

Fisher was 142-120 with the Tennessee Titans, leading them to six playoff appearances in 17 seasons, including an appearance in the 2000 Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams.

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him here on Twitter.   

Jeff Fisher is certainly in high demand. He has interviews with Miami and St. Louis this week for their vacant head coaching jobs. I'm sure Tampa Bay would like to make a run at Fisher also. In addition, his name keeps popping up in San Diego and Indianapolis, where both teams have coaches on the hot seat.

So where will Jeff Fisher coach next year?

First of all, according to this NBC report, Fisher does want to coach again next year. However, with San Diego announcing yesterday that they will retain Norv Turner for another season, you can cross the Chargers off the list.

Fisher first has an interview with Miami and then he will talk to the St. Louis Rams. While the Dolphins have South Beach, and will probably offer more money, the Rams have something more valuable to Fisher.

The Rams have Sam Bradford.

Fisher reportedly wants to coach a team with an established quarterback. With Bradford being one of the best young QBs in the game, Fisher would have his quarterback of the present and the future. That is why almost everybody in the know is reporting that Fisher's most likely landing spot is in St. Louis.

Fisher has a proven track record, and that is also something that the Rams covet in their next coach. After hiring coordinators to be their last three head coaches (Mike Martz, Scott Linehan and Steve Spagnulo), owner Stan Kroenke apparently wants to bring in an established head coach.

Jeff Fisher fits the bill.

On top of that, Fisher is represented by Marvin Demhoff, father of Kroenke's right hand man Kevin Demhoff. The younger Demhoff wields a lot of power with the Rams, and surely this connection only enhances their chances of bringing Fisher to St. Louis.

At least, that is what Rams fans are hoping!

Due to in-season and postseason firings, there is no shortage of teams currently searching for a head coach in the NFL. One of the hottest candidates is long-time Tennessee Titans head man Jeff Fisher, who would be best off taking his talents to South Beach and coaching the Miami Dolphins.

According to John Clayton of ESPN, Fisher's choices are down to either the Dolphins or the St. Louis Rams. The Dolphins fired Tony Sparano with a few games remaining in the season, while the Rams axed Steve Spagnuolo on Monday.

Clayton may think that St. Louis is the better job, but I would have to disagree with that assessment. Not only did the Rams finish with just two wins, but their roster is in a state of disarray. Aside from Chris Long and James Laurinaitis, the defense is an absolute joke and nothing ever gets going on offense because quarterback Sam Bradford has no weapons or protection.

St. Louis may have the No. 2 pick in the draft, but Miami is much closer to contention. Not only are there some good pieces defensively, but Reggie Bush, Brandon Marshall and a solid offensive line make up a promising offense. The Dolphins could use a franchise quarterback, but they have the tools to trade up past the Washington Redskins in the draft and nab Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III if they are so inclined.

With that in mind, I would consider Miami to be a very attractive destination, particularly if the Dolphins are offering more money. It won't be easy to rise up the ranks in a division that includes the New England Patriots and New York Jets, but Miami has the potential to have a very talented team next season.

In terms of which team needs Fisher more, though, I think that honor would go to the Rams. St. Louis disappointed in a big way this season after losing the NFC West on a tiebreaker last year. The Rams could really use a splashy hire and Fisher fits the bill thanks to his long history of success with the Titans/Oilers franchise.

Fisher left the Titans on interesting terms, as it isn't really known whether he was fired or whether he resigned. I get the feeling he was forced out without officially being fired since the Titans felt they needed a change, but respected Fisher's contributions too much to can him.

Despite what happened in Tennessee, I still consider Fisher to be one of the league's elite coaches. If good coaching can truly account for a few wins per season then the Rams would still be mediocre with Fisher, but the Dolphins would be very much in contention.

As the best coach on the market, Fisher is in a really comfortable spot right now seeing as he can pick and choose where he wants to go. All things considered, though, I think it's a no-brainer to go to Miami in an attempt to bring the Dolphins back to prominence.

As reported by Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo released the following statement targeted towards his former players, coaching staff, Rams employees, owner Stan Kroenke, St. Louis Rams fans and the city of St. Louis.

In this statement, Spagnuolo shared the following words:

I want to first thank every player and coach for their work ethic, character, and loyalty throughout our three years together. I know each one of us firmly believes a solid foundation has been built and although not all of us will be here to experience it, this foundation will propel the team to great success in the near future.

I also want to thank Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez and Stan Kroenke for their decision to bring me here three years ago. I truly appreciate the opportunity they gave me. I want to pass along deep gratitude toward every Rams employee for their behind-the-scenes efforts and loyalty, and for embracing (wife) Maria and I throughout our time here.

I want to thank every Rams fan for their passionate support. I apologize for not bringing enough success for them to enjoy this past season. You deserve more! It has been a privilege and an honor to represent this franchise as its head coach and I wish nothing but success for the organization going forward. I will always pull for the Rams. Maria and I feel blessed to have been a part of this city and we'll continue to have caring hearts for the people of St. Louis. God bless.

One of several interesting tidbits within Spagnuolo's statement was him again sharing his conviction that a solid foundation is in place just as he did in his final postgame press conference following the season finale versus San Francisco, and what was ultimately the end of his reign with the Rams.

At 10-38, his firing was hardly a surprise, however, some have shown themselves to be happier about it than others.

 A few former St. Louis Rams employees, many of whom like former long-time equipment manager Todd Hewitt lost their jobs during Spagnuolo's three-year tenure in St. Louis,  gathered in St. Louis to discuss and/or celebrate Steve Spagnuolo's firing.

Several former players shared their thoughts regarding the firing.  Sentiments varied somewhat, however, all were respectful towards their former head coach.  Quintin Mikell, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, showed particular disappointment.

Going forward, the Rams are said to be meeting with Jeff Fisher, former Tennessee Titans head coach, for the same position in St. Louis.  

As for Spagnuolo, some feel he could end up working for Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles as defensive coordinator in the 2012 season.

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him here on Twitter.   

The Chicago Bears have been going through a shake up today, and according to NFL.com, it now appears that former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has his eyes on a potential job opening as the Bears' head coach.

The organization has already dismissed long-time general manager Jerry Angelo, and soon after offensive coordinator Mike Martz resigned from his post. It has been said that head coach Lovie Smith is safe for 2012, but that really remains to be seen after how things have been playing out.

Fisher hasn't been in the league since 2010, when he was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Over that time, Fisher saw a lot of success over his 16-season stint with the Titans. His name has really hit the news-wire though, since both he and the Titans decided to part ways.

In 16 seasons, he had an overall record of 142-120. His most recent success came in 2008, when his Titans went 13-3 and were the top team in the AFC South. The following two seasons were not as kind to the long-time head coach, as his teams compiled an overall record of 14-18.

Fisher has the credentials to come in and take over an organization, but it remains to be seen if the Bears are willing to move on from coach Smith.

Smith has had some success as the Bears head coach, including a Super Bowl run back in 2006. Since then the Bears have seen mixed results, but they were able to make it to the NFC championship game last season.

Things were looking good for the Bears this season until they lost both quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte. The loss of both players definitely hurt the team, as they finished out the season losing five of their last six games.

Many would argue that Smith deserves a second chance, considering many teams would have failed under those circumstances.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune doesn't think the Bears would move on from Smith, even if Fisher has interest in the job.

A coach like Fisher only comes around once in a lifetime, so it would be hard to imagine the Bears ignoring his desire to coach for them. Not to mention, Fisher was a Bear his entire career.

The Bears would be a great addition in terms of tradition, but Smith has also become an embodiment of what the Bears are today.

The thing is, the Bears may just need to totally overhaul all of its personnel. They are already moving on from Angelo and Martz, so now might be the time to just start fresh.

Fisher also has his eyes on the St. Louis Rams, so the Bears will need to act quick if they believe he is their best option as head coach.

The situation in Chicago is getting crazy, and this latest news about Fisher is just going to make things even more wild heading into this part of the season.

What do you get when you go 2-14 in the NFL?

Two fired executives and a head coach worried about his job.

The Indianapolis Colts, following a deplorable season, fired longtime vice president Bill Polian and his son and general manager Chris Polian on Monday.

Now, they may be looking at former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher as their head coach, according to Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star, per Pro Football Talk.

Kravitz said on PFT Live on Tuesday that he believed the Colts had already reached out to Fisher and he would likely have input on who the next general manager would be.

Fisher is also thought to be looking for a team with a great quarterback, and the Colts would certainly fit that profile.

As for current head coach Jim Caldwell, it would be a disappointing ending to a three-year stint with the team. He's also earned the right to notified of his status with the team before rumors like this start popping up.

Caldwell, before this season, had coached the Colts to a 14-2 record and trip to the Super Bowl in 2009 and a 10-6 record and trip to the playoffs in 2010. Taking over for the well-respected Tony Dungy in 2009, he had a lot on his plate, and the fact that he coached the Colts to the Super Bowl, Peyton Manning and all, was remarkable.

I believe the Colts need to give Caldwell another chance. His quarterback situation this season without Peyton manning was horrid and the rest of the roster didn't look that good, either.

But it's not even about that. It's about giving him the respect he deserves by letting him know the situation before reports like this start springing up.

Caldwell has earned the right to not be left in the dark.

So far, the Colts aren't handling their first losing season since 2001 very well.

And just like that, Jeff Fisher is the hottest coaching candidate in the NFL.

Now that Raheem Morris has been sent packing because he couldn't get his players to perform harder, faster and smarter, the search will begin and the man directing things is the guy who survived the plague of 2011, the 10-game losing streak that cost Morris his job. Mark Dominik is about to make the hire of his life, a hire that will determine his future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So how did former Tennessee Titan boss Fisher suddenly become the lead dog?

What this tells you is that Bill Cowher isn't returning to coaching any time soon. It also tells you that Jon Gruden may be serious about spending 2012 as the pippy blowhard on Monday Night Football once again.

If the Bucs have set their sights on Fisher, they've got a lot of company.

Indianapolis Colts, who stunned Peyton Manning on Monday by firing both the Polians. Owner Jim Irsay is now "evaluating" head coach Jim Caldwell. If Caldwell is fired, Fisher will be on Irsay's wish list as well.

The simple fact of life is that there is no big name out there right now that jumps out at you.

Jim Harbaugh was last year's big trophy, and you saw what he's accomplished in one year with San Francisco.

The Bucs need the next Jim Harbaugh.

Whoever that may be.