[Elvis]

http://www.insidesocal.com/rams/2016/08 ... ff-fisher/

Some thoughts on extending contracts of Les Snead & Jeff Fisher

Vincent Bonsignore

ESPN caused a bit of a stir Saturday when Adam Schefter reported that the Rams were “trying and expecting” to extend the contracts of head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead before the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

The information is fairly consistent with what we’ve been hearing for most of the last few months – there is an appetite to get deals done for both Fisher and Snead, who are both in the final year of their five-year contracts.

And while there is no timetable in place to get both locked up, there is hope it will happen before the start of the season.

With three weeks remaining before the opener, there is plenty of time to make that happen.

And as Fisher told me at the start of training camp: “I’m going to be the coach here a long time.”

That doesn’t mean a deal is imminent. But with all sides open to extending the relationship, there is a clear path to an agreement. With those dynamics in place, things usually get done.

While the timing might seem a bit odd to Rams fans – if not premature considering the Rams 26-31 record under Fisher and Snead’s leadership the last four seasons – it’s reflective of the confidence the organization has in the current direction.

That might not sit well with fans itching for a change, but it does make sense.

In a vacuum, there is no defending the 26-31 record. It speaks for itself and is unacceptable.

But with a little bit of context and perspective, you can make the case the Rams are in much better shape today than they were the day Snead and Fisher arrived. Keep in mind, the Rams were 2-14, 7-9, 1-15, 2-14 and 3-13 in the five-year walk up to Fisher and Snead coming aboard. That isn’t just bad, it’s historically and epically atrocious.

All of a sudden 26-31 doesn’t look so bad considering the 15-65 record that preceded it.

The roster, which was in shambles when they arrived, is younger and better at nearly every position and features the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year (Todd Gurley) and the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year in Aaron Donald. And by moving up from the 15th spot in the first round of last April’s draft to the No. 1 pick, the Rams added what they hope is their franchise quarterback in Cal’s Jared Goff.

Yes, they have been unable to draft and develop and legitimate No. 1 receiver and until further notice – like a step in the right direction in 2016 – the offensive line is still unsettled.

But it would be disingenuous not to acknowledge the widespread improvement of the roster the last four years.

Point is, thanks largely to the drafting by Snead and Fisher, a solid foundation has been constructed. One that, with even just a moderate bump up in quarterback play, could easily make the turn from the 7-9 teams they’ve been recently to a 9-7, 10-6 team.

After building the foundation – then adding the rookie quarterback they believe will eventually put the Rams over the top – a strong case can be made that Fisher and Snead deserve a chance to see the massive reconstruction job through its conclusion.

That doesn’t even account for the message it would send – or the drama it would create – if the Rams sent Fisher and Snead into 2016 as lame ducks on top of the drama and distractions created by the cross-country move from St. Louis, their first season back in Los Angeles and nurturing a rookie quarterback.

Knowing a little bit about the media like I do, I can pretty much assure weekly shade being thrown on Fisher and Snead’s long-term status with the Rams if they’re dangling by a string all season. And it won’t just be the media talking about it, either. That’s the kind of conversation that finds its way to the locker room.

Is that a distraction the Rams really want to subject themselves to in a season that will be full of them?

Especially when they can eliminate it by giving Fisher and Snead security beyond this season?

Stability comes at a price sometimes, and in this case the value in creating it is worth the money it will cost them.

If the Rams go belly up in 2016, they can always cut Fisher or Snead or both loose and go in another direction. They’d have to eat dead money, but Stan Kroenke’s deep pockets can easily afford it.

On the other hand, if a young, talented roster continues to ascend and Goff turns out to be the quarterback the Rams believe he can be, Fisher and Snead will be the undisputed architects of quite the turnaround.

[Hacksaw]

If he can handle a relocation, he can handle a few questions,, or figure out a way to nip them in the bud entirely.

The team is improved. Round out the O without losing steam elsewhere and were good to go.

There are good reasons to consider moving on though if this season is a bust...

[Neil039]

The sky isn't falling under their direction but surely is limited by Fisher and his coaching style. They attempted to get a receiver with Austin, but never forget Hopkins went 27th to the Texans. Point being for every Donald there is an Austin. I'd like to see a change but know that isn't going to happen.

[moklerman]

It's true that the Rams were in bad shape but I don't feel like Fisher has done anything that many other experienced HC's couldn't have. He's had plenty of premium picks to rebuild this roster and he's spent all of them and mortgaged the future too. Is the o-line solidified? Is there a decent WR? Is there a QB?

I don't think a lame duck coach is a good thing, but Fisher needs to get some results this year before I'm ready to give him an extension. I really hope he doesn't get any more than 3 years so there's a chance a new coach can be hired for the new stadium.

[Indrid Cold]

Two good posts in a row above. And I agree with both. I think you also have to factor in the RGIII trade windfall and have to say we certainly didn't maximize the benefit of that. Outside of the DL and Gurley, who is above average on this team? Maybe Johnson. And the punter! I like Olgetree's (though not in the middle) and MacDonald's potential, but tick, tick, tick...

“I’m going to be the coach here a long time.”

I also dislike the smugness and arrogance that Fisher displays. How bout "we need to take that next step this year and that's my focus." Belichick can be a smug prick. He's actually accomplished things.

[dieterbrock]

Two good posts in a row above. And I agree with both. I think you also have to factor in the RGIII trade windfall and have to say we certainly didn't maximize the benefit of that. Outside of the DL and Gurley, who is above average on this team? Maybe Johnson. And the punter! I like Olgetree's (though not in the middle) and MacDonald's potential, but tick, tick, tick...

“I’m going to be the coach here a long time.”

I also dislike the smugness and arrogance that Fisher displays. How bout "we need to take that next step this year and that's my focus." Belichick can be a smug prick. He's actually accomplished things.

Heck, Belechick achieved more in his stop in Cleveland then Fisher has done with the Rams

[St. Loser Fan]

I'm tired of 3 yards and a cloud of dust as good offense. Fisher is coaching like its 1986 or 1996, not 2016. Modern football is a different game and I think it's passed Jeff Fisher by.

[dieterbrock]

I'm tired of 3 yards and a cloud of dust as good offense. Fisher is coaching like its 1986 or 1996, not 2016. Modern football is a different game and I think it's passed Jeff Fisher by.

Yeah no doubt.
With Keenum, that's what we get
With Goff? We'll get the big plays and possibly some big mistakes
Im down with the latter

[Tom, With Horns]

I'm tired of 3 yards and a cloud of dust as good offense. Fisher is coaching like its 1986 or 1996, not 2016. Modern football is a different game and I think it's passed Jeff Fisher by.

Yeah no doubt.
With Keenum, that's what we get
With Goff? We'll get the big plays and possibly some big mistakes
Im down with the latter

I might be, too, but I doubt that's what we get. And with good reason. Jeff Fisher still believes that a good running game, a strong defense, and an efficient, mistake-free offense gets you in the playoffs, and once you're in the playoffs it's anyone's game. His "culture change" isn't about lighting up scoreboards but about playing mistake-free football. He won't let Goff go out there and mar his plan.

If Goff develops quickly into an efficient QB we'll see a lot of Goff. If he doesn't, we'll dink and dunk with Case.

Jeff Fisher has built this team to prove that Fisher-ball works. He will live and die by that pledge.

[/zn/]

Jeff Fisher still believes that a good running game, a strong defense, and an efficient, mistake-free offense gets you in the playoffs

And he believes that for good reason since in fact everything you describe does get you in the playoffs, if you're good at it.

If you look at the top 10 teams in rushing attempts last year 6 were in the playoffs. If you look at the top 15 teams in rushing attempts last year 9 were in the playoffs. Of those 9, all of them also had top 15 ranked defenses. 6 of them had top 10 ranked defenses.

Right now what you describe is in fact THE formula for getting to the playoffs.

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