I think it's tricky to evaluate Fisher. I frequently shake my head at BOTH positive and negative views of Fisher because they don't match my perceptions.
Now, let me just say with all due respect that the statute of limitations on the Blame the Predecessors excuse is LONG past. The cycle of team improvement and decline in the NFL is much faster than 4 bleeding years. Many a good coach has turned a franchise around in far less time. I'm sorry, excusing Fisher for what he inherited 4 years ago is just lame.
So, then, why haven't we improved? Actually, we have. The talent level and roster are far better than what they were. We are a "better" team. ALbeit, a better team that hasn't won more games.
The W/L record matters. But I think I see it differently than many do. Remember that Fisher's BEST Ram record was in Year 1. He hasn't matched 7-8-1 since. And that WAS the team he inherited.
I also ask people to remember something. Remember all the games we have LOST after having gained a winning position. Even with all the problems with substandard QBing, WRs, OL turmoil, etc., we were in position to WIN many games against superior teams, only to collapse due to ill discipline.
Now remember something else. Remember all the times we followed a big win, often against a really good team, with a complete collapse against a lesser team. Of course, any NFL team can win on Any Given Sunday. But remember the times when we were looking to build momentum and the next week looked like a bad college team. We have repeatedly had momentum and been in position to post a winning or at least .500 season only to collapse at season's end. As we did last year in SF.
Now think of the erratic performance of our deeply talented defense. Remember how often we've had LBs and DBs running around like chickens without heads allowing mediocre RBs to run wild. Remember how often we have conceded 3rd down after 3rd down without bothering to contest the WRs until they were past the posts. Remember how our DL couldn't get sacks for a month last year.
Which brings us to the issue of preparedness. How often have we started the regular season running several steps behind? How often have we entered games unprepared to to match the opponent's game plan?
These are my great concerns with Fisher's track record. I think he's a sloppy, erratic coach who tolerates sloppy play and frequently fails to prepare his teams. He's a "player's coach" who lets his players get away with lousy on-field discipline and shoddy performance. I think his unsound game plans and sloppiness lead to repeated late game collapses.
And all of this leads to mediocre W/L records. I actually think we are a talented team. A good, disciplined coach would, I believe, have us threatening the playoffs. But, with Fisher at the helm, I just don't see enough discipline to fulfill our potential.
I see Fisher as a decent coach with some virtues. I also see him as flighty, given to gimmicks, and tolerant of ill discipline. And I doubt he will lead us to the playoffs unless our talent level becomes so high we can transcend his limitations.
The only hope for that, I think, Is Goff, and he isn't ready yet.
