Jeff Fisher, One on One

SCENE: What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learned along the way that helped you be a successful head coach?

FISHER: There’s no question nowadays it’s your ability to communicate with your players. And oftentimes you don’t have to say anything. I think communication at this level is widely misunderstood. Your players need to know what you’re thinking and what your expectations are—on the practice field, on Sunday, during the off-season. Athletes are different now. They’ve changed. Communication is the only thing that enables you not only to win games but to overcome tough losses. To work your way out of difficult situations during the season. To avoid distractions.

SCENE: The other day on the HBO series Hard Knocks, one of the Ravens was contemplating whether to quit, and he was going to pray about it overnight, and he came back the next day and decided he wasn’t going to stay with the team. Brian Billick said, “I guess God must be a Titans fan too.” Sometimes it sounds like he’s a little bit preoccupied with your team.

FISHER: Well, I can’t speak for Coach Billick or how he handles his club. I’m really not interested in what his philosophy is. Obviously, his philosophy was very sound last year—they won the world championship. I would doubt that he’s preoccupied with us. He’s playing 14 other teams and us twice.

I have not watched Hard Knocks and have no interest in watching. I’m not interested in what goes on in his organization because I’m more interested in what goes on here. Nor would I have any interest in allowing my doors to be open to a production like that. I personally feel that is an invasion of privacy. What we do here is our own business. I personally feel that the decision by a young player as to whether he quits or not is his decision, and those kinds of things should be kept in-house.

SCENE:With the intensity of the rivalry that is developing, are you ever concerned that your team may become too preoccupied with Baltimore?

FISHER: No. The year before we went to the Super Bowl, we weren’t really preoccupied with anybody but ourselves. The challenge was Jacksonville because they had the best record in the division. But I think you risk losing focus if you become too preoccupied with someone. We don’t play Baltimore till October, so why be concerned with what Baltimore is doing right now? I’m more concerned about playing the Dolphins, because that’s who we open with.