Why Jeff Fisher Isn't Worth the Trouble for Miami Dolphins or St. Louis Rams

Heed my advice, Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams—Jeff Fisher is fool's gold.

He cannot save you.

One of you isn't going to hire him, after all, though whomever you do end up hiring is going to be very aware that they were not your first option.

And he isn't going to be cheap, especially if reports of what Miami would be willing to pay him are true. From Jim Thomas of STLToday:

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But the Rams' tug-of-war of with Miami could be reaching epic proportions, because among that speculation was a report that Miami owner Stephen Ross was offering Fisher in the neighborhood of $8 million a year on a multi-year deal to become the next coach of the Dolphins.

As staggering as that might sound, Fisher was scheduled to make about $6.5 million a year in 2011 as Tennessee Titans head coach, so it might simply be the cost of doing business to land the top name in this year's NFL coaching carousel. And wherever Fisher lands, that paycheck may include a fancy title — such as executive vice president — that includes final say on personnel.

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Why is he worth this amount of money, and time, and trouble and all of those fancy titles you might have to give him, especially when after 17 years as head coach of the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans he didn't win one title?

In fact, in 17 years (one as an interim head coach in 1994 before getting the job full-time) he made the playoffs only six times, and went 5-6 in those games. His greatest achievement was losing to the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.

His 142-120 (.542) record is a solid mark, though when you look at it carefully you see six winning seasons, five 8-8 seasons and six losing ones (five if you don't count his interim tenure).

Not exactly inspiring, is it?

There are other coaches who have stuck with their teams forever in the "What have you done for me lately?" NFL, and it has been justifiable. After an incredibly disappointing 8-8 season for the Philadelphia Eagles this year, for instance, fans were calling for Andy Reid's firing.

But despite never winning a Super Bowl, the Eagles stuck with Reid, and they had good reason. In his 13 years, Reid has compiled a 126-81-1 (.609) record, made the playoffs nine times, gone 19-10 in those games and never missed the postseason twice in a row.

Or what about Bill Cowher, whom everyone likes to note that it took 14 years before he won a Super Bowl?

Well, Cowher finished with a 149-90-1 (.623) record in 15 years as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, took the team to the playoffs in 10 of those years and was 12-9 in the postseason.

So I guess we can throw out the argument that Fisher's lengthy tenure is indicative of an elite coaching ability. The last time Fisher won a playoff game was in 2003, after all.

So again, I ask you—is Jeff Fisher really worth $8 million?

Is the man who twice went one-and-done in the postseason despite a 13-3 regular season really worth this hassle?

Does the fact that he is "immensely respected in NFL circles" really overshadow the fact that his resume after 17 years was decent, but certainly not great?

I guess we'll find out.

Whenever Fisher makes a decision, that is.

Hit me up on the Twitter—it's the best way to spend the last year of existence.