Let me ask you a question: if a head coach finishes under .500 for four consecutive seasons, should he be allowed to keep his job for a fifth? What if that same head coach enjoyed 11 picks in the first two rounds of the NFL draft - six of them first-rounders - in a three-year period, yet still could produce a winning record? Finally, what if that same head coach swung a big trade for a young quarterback who floundered upon his arrival? Would you still let him keep his job?
That's the situation that St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke finds himself in right now with head coach Jeff Fisher. The veteran coach is just 27-35-1 (.398) in his four seasons with St. Louis. In fact, Fisher has enjoyed a winning season as a head coach since he was with the Tennessee Titans in 2008. Yet despite all of this, ESPN Rams reporter Nick Wagoner believes his job is relatively safe.
"There was never much of a chance that Fisher would be out of a job this year, since owner Stan Kroenke is more focused on moving his team to Los Angeles and doesn't seem the type to pay a coach nearly $7 million to sit at home," Wagoner wrote. "Not many coaches get a fifth year after not posting a winning record in their first four, but the Rams' three-game winning streak after a five-game losing skid almost guarantees Fisher will be back so long as he wants to be."
The three-game winning streak, which includes an impressive win over the Seattle Seahawks this past weekend, has helped to stop the bleeding and put the Rams at 7-8. Looking at the overall positives for this team, they rank 13th in points allowed per game (20.7) and seventh in sacks (40.0.) St. Louis' front seven is dotted with impressive playmakers and defensive tackle Aaron Donald is looking like the second coming of J.J. Watt.
On the negative side of things, Foles has been a massive bust, and the Rams offense ranks dead last in yards per game (290.3). Though first-round rookie Todd Gurley has surpassed all expectations, this is still a team that desperately struggles to score points. Without a serviceable quarterback, that won't change anytime soon.
Looking at the big picture, does Fisher deserve one more chance to fix this roster? Regardless of the answer, Wagoner believes he'll get it.
