SANTA CLARA — Besides NaVorro Bowman’s excitement about the defensive unit he leads, there wasn’t much to take away from Thursday’s 49ers locker room interviews. Some players had already started packing their bags for Friday’s flight to Charlotte.
However, there is pertinent news that will impact the team moving forward. And it’s news that should make you smile if you’re a 49ers fan.
ESPN’s John Clayton is reporting the Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a three-year contract extension with Jeff Fisher. The head coach is 27-37-1 in his first four seasons with the Rams. Fisher hasn’t been to the playoffs since a trip way back in 2008 with the Tennessee Titans — so long ago, Brett Favre was on the New York Jets; Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan were rookies. He’s the first coach in NFL history (since the merger) to get a fifth season with the same team after posting four straight losing seasons.
There’s two simultaneous forces working together here. Kelly seems to be pulling the 49ers in the right direction; Fisher’s dragging Los Angeles down. Naturally, if all goes as planned, the 49ers will leapfrog the Rams in the standings, possibly as soon as this January. Instead of worrying about Los Angeles’ front office hiring a bright young coach to pair with Jared Goff, the 49ers know Fisher’s limitations as a coach will clog progress. It’s two winnable games on the schedule, a nice stepping-stone to have before finding a franchise quarterback and trying to take on the Seahawks and Cardinals.
There’s no personal vendetta against Fisher, he’s just no longer a guy opposing NFL coaching staffs fear. His teams continue to play a very generic style of football dependent upon running back Todd Gurley hitting home runs and the defensive line creating pressure. In a game he had months to prepare, Chip Kelly bullied Fisher on Monday Night Football while HBO’s Hard Knocks exposed him behind the scenes as someone out of touch with reality.
The irony is that Fisher said on Hard Knocks he wouldn’t tolerate any “7-9 bulls*** this season.” After what we saw in Week 1, the Rams will need every bounce to even fathom a 7-9 record. Following the 28-0 drubbing, St. Louis sports radio talk had a field day, thanking the Rams for leaving town. Starting Case Keenum completely backfired in Fisher’s face, and Goff might have to play even if it destroys his confidence.
There’s a conspiracy theory amongst Rams fans that owner Stan Kroenke is content with going 7-9 as long as he’s making money in Los Angeles. The billionaire clearly is confusing stability for mediocrity and complacency. Going 7-9 to keep fans interested in Kroenke’s mind is better than risking a 4-12 record with a new coach and having season-ticket holders bolt. Fisher has also navigated an NFL relocation before, when the Oilers moved from Houston to Tennessee. The Rams’ front office has cards to play to defend their decision.
Maybe Goff will develop rapidly and win games single-handedly. Contracts can also be ripped up.
But as long as Jeff Fisher is in control of the Rams, Los Angeles won’t pose any real threat in the NFC West. And that’s great news for Kelly and the 49ers.
