The Los Angeles Rams finally turned the page by giving Head Coach Jeff Fisher his walking papers a day after what seemingly was the team’s most embarrassing loss in 2016. Unfortunately, firing Fisher not enough… more is needed for the franchise to have the success it so badly craves.
Surprisingly, the move comes just a few months after the Rams’ brass handed Fisher a two-year contract extension. For any other ballclub around the National Football League, Sunday’s loss might be considered an all-time low. But the fact that the Rams haven’t posted a winning season since 2003 has to be considered.
Fisher has been the head coach of the Rams since the 2012 season. In his time at the helm, he has a disappointing 31-45-1 record with no playoff appearances and no winning seasons.
“Making a decision such as this — especially during the season — is one of the most difficult in sports,” Rams owner Stanley Kroenke said. “I have great respect for Jeff as a coach, person, father and friend.
“He has worked tirelessly despite some challenging circumstances. He played an integral role in helping this team make history in returning the NFL to Los Angeles and we always will be grateful for his commitment and dedication to our organization.
“However, this is the right time to make a change as our performance has not lived up to my or our fans’ expectations,” the owner finally said. “We all are focused on improving as an organization and building a team that makes Los Angeles proud. Our mission is to celebrate a Super Bowl title with our fans in Los Angeles. Today is the first step to bringing us closer to that goal.”
Fisher isn’t alone in this disaster. General Manager Les Snead mismanaged one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history, never fully capitalizing on the quarterback Robert Griffin III trade with the Washington Redskins that landed so many draft picks for the Rams.
In this past 2016 NFL draft, the Rams made the same mistake again but in reverse, selling half a dozen picks to land quarterback Jared Goff in the first round. The 4-9 record indicates that this obviously hasn’t worked as expected.
If Kroenke is really committed to excellence, a solid foundation will be needed to enable the new head coach of the Rams any level of success for the future.