Los Angeles Rams

2016 NFL Week 4 Hot Takes: Halting the Jeff Fisher Hate

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley at press conference during practice at Allianz Park in preparation for the NFL International Series game against the Indianapolis Colts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NFL week 4 hot takes feature plenty of surprises around the league including a demand of apology to two coaches who have quietly done great work.

Ryan Tannehill may not be in the future plans

Adam Gase was hired for the specific reason of using his offensive expertise to diagnose and fix quarterback Ryan Tannehill for the Miami Dolphins. Four weeks into the season it’s clearer than ever than Tannehill can be good for garbage yards, but not winning football games. His ugly performance against Cincinnati may be just what it takes to shift the thinking away from building around him to starting fresh at the position. Hard to believe considering Tannehill is just 28-years old.

Gus Bradley is by no means safe even after this win

Anybody who thinks that Gus Bradley is miraculously saved after the Jacksonville Jaguars got their first win of the season isn’t looking at facts. They had the Colts down and beat. Yet they still managed to almost give it away despite knowing Andrew Luck was the one and only guy they had to worry about. Nothing can be said of that win other than the fact that Jacksonville survived and still don’t look like the team they should. Bradley is not safe yet. Not at all.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is pressured by Baltimore Ravens tackle Timmy Jernigan (99) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Shanahan is becoming a hot coaching candidate

It didn’t really register with anybody at the time when the Atlanta Falcons hired Kyle Shanahan as their offensive coordinator in 2015. People should’ve known that he was one of the better play callers in the business and was put in charge of a Pro Bowl quarterback and all-world receiver. So far this season it’s showing why. Atlanta has the hottest offense in the NFL and sits in command of the NFC South. Also Shanahan is shooting up boards as a possible head coaching candidate. He’s a young offensive mind and the son of a two-time Super Bowl winner.

Derek Carr has become a superstar and learned how to win

The plan is unfolding stage by stage for the Oakland Raiders. Everybody knew it was put in place the moment the team drafted Derek Carr. Now the young quarterback is coming into his own. First it was learning how to play the game at a high speed. Then it was learning how to put up yards and points. Finally it’s about winning football games. Carr has solved that puzzle after leading another big comeback victory, this time over the undefeated Ravens. If this team can figure out their defensive problems, they will be a force in the AFC.

Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears running back factory just spit out another one

No franchise in NFL history has a richer heritage at the running back position. It started with Bronco Nagurski, then Red Grange, Rick Casares, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Neal Anderson and then Matt Forte. Decade after decade this organization just churns out good players at that position. Seems they done it again. Draft experts were stunned that Jordan Howard fell to Chicago in the 5th round and he showed why, trampling Detroit for 111 yards on 23 carries. He also caught three passes for 21 yards and did enough to balance the Bears offense for their first win.

Bill O’Brien refused to let J.J. Watt loss cripple Texans

Losing a star like J.J. Watt can often mean the end of a season for a team. Many felt that way about the Houston Texans upon the news he underwent a second surgery on his back. However, head coach Bill O’Brien could not let his team get down about that. They’re still in command of the AFC South and could widen the lead with a win over the Titans. Thanks to his big decision to assume play calling duties, O’Brien delivered a big win for the franchise. One that should settle them down as they adjust to life without their beloved pass rusher.

Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan shake hands after the game at Gillette Stadium. The Bills defeated the Patriots 16-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Rex Ryan remains the boil Bill Belichick can’t lance

At the end of the day the New England Patriots don’t have a lot to feel bad about. They’re 3-1, in control of the AFC East and have Tom Brady coming back from his suspension. At the same time they were once again frustrated by the brash, loud-mouthed antics of Rex Ryan. The Buffalo Bills were looking for a fight from the opening whistle and they took to the Patriots for 60 minutes. Even the normally unflappable Bill Belichick chucked a playbook tablet in frustration. Buffalo shut them out 16-0. Ryan may never win a championship, but it’s clear enough he knows how to get under the Patriots’ skin.

Russell Wilson is a top 3 quarterback

Experts have resisted the urge for years because the Seattle Seahawks have such a great defense and productive running game. It’s difficult to credit Russell Wilson with too much success when he’s got so much help. Yet facts are facts. His latest performance against a tough New York Jets defense, he was almost flawless. With an ailing knee and bad ankle, he nonetheless threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. The man just makes plays whenever he has to. It’s time to put him at the very top of the NFL heap. He’s got the credentials and the tape by this point.

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) reacts on the ground after being sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (98) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Hue Jackson may finally end the misery in Cleveland

Yes, the Cleveland Browns are 0-4 after losing to Washington. It’s not a surprise considering how depleted their roster is. Anybody with eyes knew this season wasn’t going to be pretty. At the same time, there are already signs that head coach Hue Jackson has them pointed in the right direction. The team is playing hard and staying competitive in most of the games. The running game has been excellent with the tandem of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. Given enough time to assemble a proper roster, the dark days may finally have an end in sight.

A sad ending for a great story in Trevor Siemian

To go from an unremarkable career at Northwestern to becoming a 7th round pick to a backup quarterback on a Super Bowl champion team was already quite the story for Trevor Siemian. So to see him rise to the starting job and throw five touchdown passes in just over five quarters of football the past two weeks was amazing. Unfortunately the brutal nature of the NFL caught up to him. He was lost to a shoulder injury, and now it’s likely he’ll end up back on the bench with Paxton Lynch officially on the field.

Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

People love bashing Jeff Fisher but what he’s doing deserves praise

Haters were stampeding for the head of Jeff Fisher after the Los Angeles Rams were shut out opening night. He doesn’t deserve to be head coach anymore. He hasn’t made the playoffs with a team since 2008. The one man who hasn’t listened is Fisher himself. Week after week he keeps plugging away, and now the Rams are responding. Even without their #1 pick Jared Goff they’ve built a 3-1 record and are 2-0 in the NFC West. Maybe it’s time to trust the process of what he’s trying to do and believe he might know how to handle his prized young quarterback.

Joey Bosa pick looming ever larger in another Chargers letdown

Week after week the San Diego Chargers are piling up 4th quarter collapses. That speaks to an inability of the defense to close the door. Often the biggest culprit in such cases is no pass rush. They sacked Drew Brees twice on the afternoon but weren’t in his face enough to prevent the late rally. More than ever their selection of Joey Bosa in the draft and subsequent contract standoff is looming large for the Chargers. That may end up being the pick that costs the coaches their jobs.

Oct 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Dak Prescott keeps stealing credit from Scott Linehan

The hype train is officially out of control. After another game without an interception, everybody is now convinced Dak Prescott is the steal of the century at quarterback. Granted, the rookie 4th round pick has played well. Still much of that success must be attributed to the masterful way offensive coordinator Scot Linehan has called plays. His ability to keep things simple and help Prescott avoid dangerous situations is as big or a bigger reason why the rookie thrives. If he doesn’t win Assistant Coach of the Year, it will be a crime.

Le’Veon Bell really is the catalyst for unleashing Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger was already a really good quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers before the arrival of running back Le’Veon Bell. It wasn’t until that pick was made that he became a great quarterback. For weeks Roethlisberger played decent football, aside from his ugly night in Philly. Then the moment Bell returns in week 4 against Kansas City, the veteran quarterback transforms into the mad bomber. He hung five touchdown passes in less than three quarters of action. Against a Chiefs secondary that had six interceptions the week before. Unreal.