Mike Munchak is not Jeff Fisher, he's a head coach

by NoMoreMustache on Dec 19, 2011 6:22 PM CST

Following today's announcement that Hasselbeck is the starter if healthy, many of us have been understandably livid. We've called Munch just about every name in the book, said he's in over his head and, most predictably, called him Fisher 2.0. Mike Munchak is not Jeff Fisher and it's a futile exercise to suggest that every time he makes a Fisher-like decision, he is Fisher. But therein lies the problem. This isn't just a Fisher-like decision, it's a decision that head coaches would have made. Examples?

Ben Roethlisberger is limping badly in pregame warmups right now. He is expected to start. Is Mike Tomlin Fisher 2.0?

Tarvaris Jackson is playing with a torn pectoral muscle that is influencing his ability to throw. Is Pete Carrol Fisher 2.0?

Mike Vick has played through more serious injuries than I care to list. Is Andy Reid Fisher 2.0 (other than the whole not being able to bring home the trophy thing lol).

Matt Schaub finished a game with a lis franc fracture that obviously impacted his ability to move around. Is Gary Kubiak Fisher 2.0?

In any given year, a QB is going to play through injuries. It's probably going to hurt their game. But head coaches tend to stick with those guys unless the injury is absolutely unbearable. What Munchak is doing is not unprecedented, nor does it make him Jeff Fisher. Let me remind you of a few things:

Our defense is starting 3 rookies, with another rotating in. Would Fisher do this?
Justin Gage is not on our roster. Nor is Bo Scaife.
Chris Hope got set aside for Jordan Babineaux and is now reduced to spot duty. Would Fisher have done that?
Colin McCarthy is starting in place of Barrett Ruud. Even if Ruud had been healthy, he was not taking Colin's job back. Would Fisher have done that?
We consistently go for it on fourth down, even if it's a very aggressive call. We usually get it. Would Fisher have done that?

Frankly, I disagree with the decision to start Hasselbeck. I do. I think Locker should be starting next week and in the finale, regardless of if Hasselbeck is healthy or not. That being said, it's getting fairly ridiculous to say he's just like Jeff Fisher anytime he makes a decision that we disagree with or uses coachspeak or does anything we dislike.

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Comments

The difference between your examples and our situation is simple

1) Ben Roethlisberger > Charlie Batch (his backup)
2) Tarvaris Jackson > Charlie Whitehurst (his backup)
3) Michael Vick > Vince Young (do I have to explain this one?)
4) Matt Schaub > Matt Lienart < TJ Yates (his backups)
5) Matt Hasselbeck < Jake Locker (his backup)

There’s a difference between playing the guy who gives you a better chance to win despite injury and the guy who gives you a lesser chance of winning while hurt. Locker gives them the best chance to win the last 2 games. But the decision has been made, and we just have to live with it.

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by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Dec 19, 2011 6:32 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

But my point is that if the coaches want to play Hass, it's their decision.

Locker may or may not have put us in the playoffs had he got some starts. No one will know. IMO, Locker gives them a better chance to win but they’ll roll with Hass because they’re the coach, and these next 2 games would be insignificant in Locker’s development anyway.

by Dynamic Dreadlocks on Dec 19, 2011 6:48 PM CST up reply actions

Awesome point DD, totally agree.

http://i52.tinypic.com/2lxc75c.png

by Deaconbrodie on Dec 22, 2011 9:57 PM CST up reply actions

But whenever I don't agree with Munchak I call him Fisher 2.0 because I am smarter than any HC ever!!!11!!111

2012: The year we clip the Hawk.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 19, 2011 6:45 PM CST reply actions

Wow

THE WTF

It's all fun and games until someone gets a concussion from a stray flying footbal. *cough* Kerry *cough*

by MikeGriffFan27 on Dec 20, 2011 5:53 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

The comparisons

to Jeff Fisher have nothing to do with how conservative he is, how many rookies he’s starting, who he’s pulling from the starting lineup, etc. They come from the fact that he is vehemently denying two truths that we can all plainly see: 1. That Hasselbeck is not in proper health to start; and 2. That Locker definitely gives us a better chance to win and ultimately go to the playoffs.

Fisher’s stubbornness was his ultimate downfall, and Munchak had better realize that when it’s do or die time, you have to do what it takes to win and screw the rest. And he had better realize it soon, or he will not last long in this league.

by sm00thBlue on Dec 20, 2011 1:15 AM CST reply actions

We have to give this guy time,

and see if there are strides taken next year.
Regardless of what Fisher 2.0 folk want to say, but let it be known next year will be tough.

by titanfannyc on Dec 20, 2011 7:11 AM CST reply actions

then should we even rush locker?

wouldnt it be wiser of Munch to get Hass healthy, name him opening day starter for 2012 and utiilize him for all of 2012, get another good draft pick and then go with Locker – Rusty in 2013 with two good drafts and maybe some new weapons and pieces from FA in place?

On Hiatus

by Dagger22 on Dec 20, 2011 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

Fuck that shit.

Hass will look like an MVP for 6-8 games and then start breaking down. He is the Jeff Fisher of QB’s. Maybe we should call Hasselbeck Fisher 2.0

Yes, MCM, you have my permission to applaud that brilliant connection I just made.

by sm00thBlue on Dec 20, 2011 1:58 PM CST up reply actions

/slow clap

[disclaimer: this poster has no idea what the hell he's talking about.]

The future is bright for this Titans squad.

The Official MCM Idiot

by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 20, 2011 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

Also the other quarterbacks on your list don't seem particularly limited

Whereas Hass has hasnt completed a deep throw in god knows how long.

by alijeal on Dec 20, 2011 9:16 AM CST reply actions

So what if he is Jeff Fisher 2.0

To me, 2.0 means upgraded. 2.0 is always better than 1.0.

The proudest (and possibly only) Diamondbacks fan in the state of Louisiana

by Bryan J. Boltik on Dec 20, 2011 11:30 AM CST reply actions

Even though he receives a lot of hate here,

Jeff Fisher was a very successful coach. Moreso early on in his career than later, but there are worse things than to be compared to a coach who went to one Super Bowl, AFC championships (2?), and oversaw one of the most successful eras of the Oilers/Titans franchise.

2012: The year we clip the Hawk.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 20, 2011 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

when did you start watching the Titans?

For the Jake of argument ...

by BythePowerofMunchak! on Dec 20, 2011 2:40 PM CST up reply actions

A few years after the Super Bowl.

A casual fan before that (I was only 9 when they made it to the Super Bowl.)

2012: The year we clip the Hawk.

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Dec 20, 2011 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

Fisher successful??? At first...after that he was only mediocre at best.

http://i52.tinypic.com/2lxc75c.png

by Deaconbrodie on Dec 22, 2011 10:00 PM CST up reply actions

NoMoreMustache is standing by his guys

[picture of philosoraptor]

Is NoMoreMustache Fisher 2.0?

I'm a totally serviceable 3rd string MCM commenter.
What? I am...

by I Believe in Rusty Smith on Dec 20, 2011 2:08 PM CST reply actions

He definitely is Fisher 2.0

by DustyPaynts on Dec 21, 2011 8:32 AM CST up reply actions

This sound familiar?

Roethlisberger played through a sprained ankle that had him in obvious pain and lacking mobility, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was questioned afterward about why an obviously injured player was on the field at all. But Tomlin insisted that putting Roethlisberger out there — and keeping him out there, even at the end of a one-sided loss — was the right call.

"He was healthy enough to play," Tomlin said. We always like what Ben provides us, not only from his quality of play, but his leadership. This guy is a tremendous competitor. We appreciate his efforts, obviously we fell short tonight."

But was Roethlisberger really healthy enough? Roethlisberger, who said he did not take a painkilling injection, acknowledged that he was playing at less than 100 percent.

by NoMoreMustache on Dec 20, 2011 3:04 PM CST reply actions

Tomlin is Fisher 2.0

or better yet, he’s Mike Singletary 2.0!

[disclaimer: this poster has no idea what the hell he's talking about.]

The future is bright for this Titans squad.

The Official MCM Idiot

by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 20, 2011 5:34 PM CST up reply actions

Yes...

but as has already been stated, Charlie Batch < Ben Roethlisberger (even hurt Roethlisberger), whereas Jake Locker > Matt Hasselbeck.

Ben Roethlisberger could go out on crutches and outperform Batch. The same cannot be said for Hasselbeck. He is too frail to last an NFL season. That is why resigning him scares the shit out of me. Assuming he gets us to the playoffs, will he be able to hold up? I have my doubts.

by sm00thBlue on Dec 20, 2011 7:39 PM CST up reply actions

The future is bright for this Titans squad.

The Official MCM Idiot

by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 20, 2011 11:52 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not saying that Charlie Batch would have won, but I think he would have done better than Ben did.

by NoMoreMustache on Dec 21, 2011 12:15 AM CST up reply actions

I'm sorry, but Aldon Smith would have killed whoever was back there last night.

I don’t think anybody would have had a better night.

And that’s where the comparison between their QB issue and ours falls flat. They were playing a damn good defense with an awesome pass rush. We were facing the winless Colts.

[disclaimer: this poster has no idea what the hell he's talking about.]

The future is bright for this Titans squad.

The Official MCM Idiot

by fanoftheunderdogs on Dec 21, 2011 12:28 AM CST up reply actions