TITANS HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER, NOV. 19, 2008 - CONFERENCE CALL TO NEW YORK JETS REPORTERS
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On DT Albert Haynesworth…*
Albert does a nice job up-front with disruption and defending the run, as well as being able to put pressure on the passer. It depends when he'll be involved in drawing double-teams, which will create other opportunities for his teammates.
On whether the talk of being undefeated is unavoidable in Nashville…
We don't deal with it. We're pleased, but our focus is on the next game. That's the players' approach and that's the reason we're at where we're at right now, because we've been able to take a one-game-at-a-time approach.
On people saying they're better off taking a loss in order to minimize the pressure of being undefeated…
Everybody is entitled to their opinions.
On whether he sees a difference in the Jets with QB Brett Favre…
The team is a lot different. There are a lot of new faces there. There's a great deal of experience. Brett has done a tremendous job under center. That speaks for himself. They're just a much better team. They're playing with a great deal of confidence, they're scoring a lot of points and playing really good defense.
On being the longest-tenured head coach…
Every year is a new challenge for me and I look forward to coming to work. We're no different here – players, coaches staff. We're just about taking it one week at a time. That's been our approach.
On whether he is surprised at this year's success or whether he saw indicators during training camp…
I think we had a solid year last year. We've been building. We made it to the playoffs, but were a little shorthanded because of injuries. We regrouped and stayed focused throughout the offseason, and had a great training camp. I had high expectations coming in and we all realize that it's very difficult to win in the National Football League. It all flips right back to the one-week-at-a-time approach.
On the Jets pass-rush and the even sack distribution…
They do a nice job with the scheme. Most three-man line schemes have been at great variations and combinations of people. They create situations where they get mismatches on 'backs and in addition to that, they're very, very talented up front and they can win one-on-ones. They're disciplined rushing. They stay in their lanes and then they collapse the pocket. Those sacks are a by-product of the defense. The secondary is playing well. They're taking things away and making the quarterback hold the football.
On the offensive line's ability to protect QB Kerry Collins…
It's been important for us. We're proud of how they've done thus far. We just have to continue and I think this will be one of our bigger challenges.
On whether he's been impressed with the way that Collins has been able to step-in and run the offense…
IWe obviously knew Kerry had the abilities. He has experience and has a good feel for what we're doing. We need to protect him to run the football. He's in position to make a lot of plays and he's been doing that for us lately.
On the Kerry Collins and Brett Favre matchup…
I think it'll be a great matchup. Some people have tagged this as it's going to end up being a shoot-out. You never know. I think it'll be a great matchup. Both quarterbacks are capable of making plays. I think it'll be one that a lot of people are going to want to watch.
