Jeff Fisher is Gone and I am not Happy
Go to any message board or comments section where the Jeff Fisher firing is the subject and you will get a myriad of opinions. Indianapolis Colts fans celebrating another “dumb move” by an AFC South opponent. Tennessee Titans fans, a house divided, debating the impact along with whether Vince Young still might return. Houston Texans fans wondering if 2012 will find Jeff deep in the heart of Texas.
And Jaguars fans…it depends.
There is a deep seeded loathing for Coach Fisher in the land of teal and black. It is a sentiment that is not only well known but also well earned. In fact, one could argue that, for any new Jaguars fan, you must learn the history and embrace the feeling before you can truly be a fan.
The recipe is one you find in any long standing rivalry; know thy enemy. You could say it’s the salt that makes the meat taste that much better. Just look at the history behind such greats as Cleveland\Pittsburgh, Dallas\Washington, Chicago\Green Bay or Oakland\Kansas City.
For the older teams it started as a matter of familiarity building contempt. Long ago when there were only 12 teams, for example, your schedule did not change much from year to year. Case in point, look at the 1929\1930 Bears and Packers. If you were a fan of either team you knew you would see the other guys three times a year.
These days, with the number of teams and schedule rotation, only divisional teams usually become as familiar. That is of course unless you remain at the top of the league, i.e. New England and Indianapolis.
Enter Jeff Fisher. Queue 1999.
It was not bad enough that the Titans would give the Jaguars their only three losses that year, taking Jacksonville’s Super Bowl appearance away from them. The knife was twisted when the moustached monster spoke those infamous words, claiming that then Alltel Stadium was their home away from home.
He was the bully that stole your high school prom date. Even 11 years later, after you have graduated from college, have a nice job and a great wife, you are still bitter.
Because of this some Jaguars faithful, heck maybe many, are reveling in his deposing. It is closure to a reign that consisted of more than one bad memory.
I am not one of those people. For me he is the architect of a rivalry which greatly enhanced my NFL experience and leaves behind a vast black hole where heated competition once stood.
Before there was an AFC South, Tennessee Titans or Jacksonville Jaguars there was Jeff. Assuming the reigns of a miserable 1994 Houston Oilers team, he replaced then coach Jack Pardee 10 games into the season.
Thus begins the experience.
When the Jaguars took the field for their first NFL game, also their first home game, it was against Fisher’s Oilers, a game Jacksonville lost 10-3. Later that year the Jaguars would claim their first victory in franchise history winning 17-16. Poetically it was against those same Oilers.
Though the seed was planted, the black rose would take some time to bloom.
While Bud Adams’ franchise dealt with their move from Houston to Tennessee, a budding rivalry was growing between Tom Coughlin’s Jaguars and Bill Cowher’s Steelers. Being placed in the AFC Central meant the new kid on the block would face a Pittsburgh team that had rediscovered its 1970’s form and was once again dominant.
However, when Jacksonville upset the defending AFC Super Bowl representative to start the 1996 season, the groundwork was laid for four years intense competition that all but catapulted the Jaguars into the psyche of Steelers fan.
We had our rival and it felt good to hate them. I can still see, from the north endzone of Alltel, Cowher with his arm cocked and loaded to punch Chris Hudson as he ran for the touchdown.
When the AFC South was created, the rivalry with Pittsburgh was all but buried.
This is why Fisher was so important. He helped elevate the games to something where winning was as much about pride as it was about how it helped in the standings.
Not making the playoffs: well if Jacksonville could just manage to sweep the Titans the season was not a loss. They might finish 2-14 but those two wins better be against Tennessee.
I wrote about the history here back in 2009. There are a litany of positive and negative memories that are grounded firmly within these two teams. Memories which had you scanning next season’s schedule to find out that next opportunity to exact revenge.
For me it was all about relevance by making the game personal. Their team is not tougher. We can win our division. Jacksonville will win a Super Bowl before you do, Jeff! It was not just a game, it was an important game.
Sure you could argue that beating Indianapolis is a big deal because of Peyton Manning, but apart from him being a dominant player what is there to hate? He is funny, personable and very rarely says the wrong thing.
That was not the case for Fisher. His arrogance and eloquence left a lasting mark simply because he told you he was going to stick it to you and then backed it up.
If you were a Steelers fan you simply could not tolerate that an expansion team who wore teal was matching your physical toughness. More so they were cocky about it and built their team with a purpose of beating you. With the likes of Eddie George, Steve McNair and Samari Rolle, Fisher did the same to the Jaguars.
I liken it to Phil Fulmer leaving the University of Tennessee or Peter Carol leaving Southern Cal. A critical element to my disdain will no longer walk the sidelines. Thankfully the Trojans hired Lane Kiffin, but what if the Titans hire someone I like?
In truth, the Young\Fisher combo sustained me more than food and water.
So when Tennessee comes to town next year I have to wonder if the game will bring with it a bit less meaning. Just will not be the same without you, Jeff.
- Brian Fullford
