In the midst of another challenging season, Titans coach Jeff Fisher spoke candidly with Steve Mariucci in an interview aired earlier tonight on NFL Network.
Tired and haggard, Fisher looked more like Cliff Clavin on a camping trip than the ever-youthful general who has patrolled the sidelines for the Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans for 16 years.
Much of the discussion focused on quarterback Vince Young. After saying that Fisher doesn’t know where Young is and that he hasn’t seen Young since he left the locker room in a huff after a November loss to the Redskins, Fisher said that “the locker room is much better because of [Young’s] actions after the game.”
Fisher explained that “to a man” Young’s teammates disagreed with his actions. “He’s probably better off not being here,” Fisher said.
It’s a strong statement, and it makes Fisher’s lack of interest in working with Young as clear as it ever has been. Though Fisher said of his own status that he’s under contract for 2011 and that he hopes to remain in the job beyond the expiration of his current deal, we can’t imagine Fisher staying put if Young returns, even though owner Bud Adams already has said he wants the coach and the quarterback to get along and work together.
Asked what Fisher would change about Young from an off-field perspective, Fisher said generally that his desire for any player is to understand what it takes to be a pro, and the time commitment involved. Fisher also said that he wants players to realize that the game has ups and downs, and to be able to deal with them.
Though Fisher didn’t single Young out, it’s clear that the comments had the most relevance to a single player -- Vince Young.