Titans look to become first team to playoffs after 0-5 start

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher sounded like a broken record most of this season.

His young Titans liked each other and loved working hard. He enjoyed coaching them and, yes, he thought they could surprise people. After an 0-5 start, Fisher sounded like an optimist trying to hide his team's flaws.

Turns out he was right.

After a six-game winning streak, the Titans are 8-7 and the NFL's second-hottest team behind San Diego. Make the playoffs, and they'll become the first team to do so after an 0-5 start.

"He's done a great job," New England coach Bill Belichick said.

Turnarounds are nothing new for Fisher. His 2002 Titans started 1-4 before winning 10 of 11 to reach the AFC Championship, where they lost to Oakland.

That was a veteran group led by Steve McNair and Eddie George. This is a rebuilding franchise that won nine combined games in the last two seasons with 37 players in their third NFL season or less. The offense, led by rookie quarterback Vince Young, features six starters in their first or second season.

"We've got a philosophy here that we stick to and we believe in, and it's worked in the past," Fisher said. "We just stayed the course, and it worked out."

That's why owner Bud Adams wants to extend Fisher's contract at season's end.

Receiver Drew Bennett said Fisher has remained the same through his six seasons, never changing his coaching demeanor no matter the record or time of the season.

"It's very impressive," he said. "I've talked to other guys on other teams who talk about coming back when you lose a tough one bright and early. Coach Fisher doesn't do that. I think Coach Fisher recognizes really what players want, what they need and at the same time, what they need to do better."

Center Kevin Mawae has yet to see Fisher frustrated or overly excited, even after rallying to a 24-21 win against the New York Giants after being down 21-0 in the final 10 minutes.

"The locker room is a reflection of the head coach," he said. "That speaks well for Jeff the way we've stuck in after an 0-5 start to come out to a position we're in now. It's a testament to guys in the locker room, but it's a testament to how the coach has held things together," Mawae said.