Most NFL observers believe that, after the season, Titans owner Bud Adams will have to choose between quarterback Vince Young and coach Jeff Fisher.
Fisher apparently is trying to make the decision easier for Adams.
At a time when the organization has issued a statement aimed at refuting a report from Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean that Young was asked to leave the facility on Monday, Fisher tells ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that, indeed, Young has been banned.
Here’s the money quote from Mort’s story: “Fisher made it clear that Young is currently not welcome at the facility at the present time.”
And so the bigger story here is that the team is trying to tiptoe its way around the situation, and Fisher is mincing no words. It’s a recipe for Fisher to eventually be the former coach of the Titans.
It’s not a surprise. Last year, someone (i.e., Fisher) leaked to Mortensen the notion that Adams’ decision to force Fisher to bench Kerry Collins for Young may have opened a “loophole” in Fisher’s contract that would have allowed Fisher to force his way out.
Said Mort at the time, “The Cowboys, the Bears. You never know.”
Over a year later, that same sentiment applies. Though Fisher’s six playoff appearances in 17 years and his career winning percentage of 54.6 shouldn’t move him into the presidency of the Fired Football Coaches Association, the Cowboys and Bears are the two teams that could be the most interested in Fisher.
We’d throw the Texans into the mix as well. And the chance that Fisher would return to Houston and remain in the division could be enough to get Adams to keep Fisher around.
Then again, dumping Young could trigger the same outcome. In a Twitter entry posted moments ago, Young provided a one-word update on his status.
“Houston.”