Ranking Jeff Fisher against other 2012 head coach appointees

Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher watches his team during warmups before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Entering his fourth season with the Rams, Head Coach Jeff Fisher has yet to guide the team to a playoff spot. With a top tier defensive line, several receivers potentially going into breakout seasons and, of course, a new starting quarterback in Nick Foles, some have questioned if this is a do-or-die year for Fisher. Time and execuses are running out for the veteran head coach.

Coming off seasons of 7-8-1 (2012) and 7-9 (2013) the Rams regressed slightly to 6-10 in the last campaign. Arguably, these records are not that bad in comparison to the disastrous 2-14 performance in 2011, the final season of Steve Spagnuolo’s tenure. On the other hand, in 2014, the Rams were widely regarded by outside observers the least likely team to progress from the NFC West into the playoffs. So how far has Fisher really brought the team?

In 2012, two other NFL teams appointed new head coaches – Jim Caldwell was replaced in Indianapolis by Chuck Pagano, and the Miami Dolphins brought in Joe Philbin after the departure of Tony Sporano. How do the Rams under Jeff Fisher compare with these other teams with similarly tenured coaches?

The Indianapolis Colts have been to the playoffs in all of Pagano’s three seasons in charge. With a ‘three-peat’ 11-5 record each year, the Colts finished second in the AFC South to the Houston Texans in 2012 and topped the division in both following years. It may be argued that it was the addition of elite talent Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, combined with a division steadily decreasing in strength that were the key factors in the improvement in the Colts’ fortunes. On the other hand, the effect Pagano had in the dressing room was undeniable. Facing a battle with cancer in addition to duties as a head coach, he was described this January by veteran kicker Pat McAfee as “probably one of the most inspiring humans in the NFL”. Could it be the qualities of the man that elevated the team to three consecutive postseason appearances after taking over a 2-14 team?

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano celebrates after the NFL divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There can be no denying that Fisher’s Rams cannot compare over the same time period. Admittedly, as much as the AFC South was on the decline, the NFC West was on the up, making Fisher’s job tougher. The St Louis defense was starting to raise eyebrows, although the Colts finished 7^th in overall defense that season. That said, like Indianapolis the Rams also had a quarterback from whom great things were expected after being selected first overall in the draft, with 2010’s top pick Sam Bradford. In 2012 the Rams had a 1000-yard running back in Steven Jackson, while the Colts leading rusher Vick Ballard finished with just 814. St Louis also had multiple first round draft picks from the RGIII trade with Washington, thereby having every chance to upgrade the roster with some of the top talent available. Is there really an excuse for the disparity of results for the two teams since 2012?