Fisher Tells Titans 2002 Season Begins Today
By Larry Stone January 7, 2002

Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said the team's inability to make plays on defense marked the real difference in the 2001 season.

'Our defense has been the nerve center of this football team and it fell off,' Fisher said. 'It started to deteriorate in the opener when we lost two key players and it continued and we never really got back on track.'

Fisher said the team must upgrade a 'number of areas' in the secondary, admitting 'there's going to be a great deal of competition in our secondary.'

The team's problems in the secondary led to other defensive problems, for example the reduced sack numbers. The Titans recorded 32 sacks in 2001, down from 55 a year ago.

'Sacks are basically a by-product of good team defense, your ability to cover,' Fisher said. 'We didn't cover people very long and there were a number of times when a half-a-second longer, we've got a hit on the quarterback.'

Defensive end Jevon Kearse had 10 of the 32 sacks while Kevin Carter finished with just two.

'Kevin Carter's sack numbers were a disappointment to me and to Kevin, but Kevin Carter's play was not a disappointment,' Fisher said.

With tackles Joe Salave'a, Jason Fisk and Josh Evans unrestricted free agents, the Titans could face the 2002 season with a number of new faces along the defensive line.

'I feel that everybody upfront can help this team win,' Fisher said. 'Age-wise, we have no concerns there. Josh came back and showed he's capable playing a season. I think he wore out a little bit on us, but he did play at a high level.'

'Our intention is to try to keep them all right now, whether that's possible, we don't know.'

Fisher called the re-signing of unrestricted free agent Greg Favors 'a priority' but admitted linebacker Keith Bulluck needs to step up and become a full-time starter entering his third season.

'It's time for him to step up and in a lot of ways, even as a young player, assume a leadership role on this defense,' Fisher said. 'He's capable of doing that, he has the ability to do that and he is expecting to do that and so are we.'

Fisher said he's heard the criticism of the defensive coaching staff, led by first-year coordinator Jim Schwartz.

'This staff did as good as job as any I've been around,' Fisher said. 'I'm satisfied with the defensive staff.'

Fisher said he did not expect any changes on the coaching staff but he hoped linebackers coach Gunther Cunningham would get a look when head coaching opportunities opened.

'He's proven, he's experienced, he's passionate,' Fisher said. 'I hope he's going to be considered.'

While the problems defensively will be the Titans' emphasis this off-season, Fisher said he enters 2002 comfortable with the offensive progression, especially quarterback Steve McNair's growth.

'His numbers were great,' Fisher said. 'For Steve to have a 90 (quarterback) rating and put up the type of number he did, shows he's there now.'

Fisher called the running game's problems 'frustrating' and said he was not satisfied. But the head coach said the team's inability to hold leads in the fourth quarter made the run game less productive.

'We were 80 carries short of last year, the average-per-carry was about the same, Eddie's numbers are going to be about the same with the carries,' Fisher said. 'If we play defense, we're running the ball in the fourth quarter, it's a different deal.'

'We blocked well enough upfront to have a productive running game this year.'

Changes along the offensive line will be dictated, in large part, by Bruce Matthews decision on whether or not he will return for a 20th season.

'I think we have to go ahead and assume that if even if he does come back that somebody's going to be playing quite a bit,' Fisher said.

Fisher said he expects Matthews to decide about his retirement within two-to-three months.

The team left Baptist Sports Park Monday and will not return in-mass until late March. Before they left, Fisher told the team the 2002 season begins now for everyone.

'I believe there's a great deal of potential left on this team,' Fisher said. 'Our running back is going to be fine. Our quarterback has proven that he can play. Our receiving corp is better. The offensive side of this football team is better.'

'That suggests that this window is open because I'll take care of the defensive side. Believe me. We'll get the defensive side fixed.'