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It Takes Some Time to Build
Redskins offensive coordinator Sherman Smith, center, was part of the Titans' Super Bowl team in 1999 along with Eddie George, left, and Steve McNair. All three have moved on, but Tennessee is contending again.
(By Jae S. Lee -- The Tennessean)
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Fisher and his staff were then allowed to mold the team around those veterans. The Titans drafted quarterback Vince Young in 2006, rebounded to go 8-8 and nearly made the playoffs. In 2007, Young helped them to a 10-6 record, and the foundation for this year was in place -- even though Young had a troubled 2008 and has given way to veteran Kerry Collins.
Last year, when Tennessee returned to the playoffs but lost in the first round to San Diego, Fisher gathered the Titans in the locker room immediately afterward. Smith said he identified the team's goals immediately.
"Our goal is, next year, win the division," Smith recalled Fisher saying. "We want a first-round bye. We're setting our sights higher. We have to win the division."
"That's what we have to do here," Smith said. "We've got to win the NFC East. We can't have it be, 'Let's just get into the playoffs.' "
As Smith spoke, two other NFC East teams, Philadelphia and the New York Giants, prepared to face each other in a playoff game Sunday. Smith's former employer, Tennessee, will host a playoff game today, and if it wins, the AFC championship game next weekend. The Redskins are home for the season.
But even though Smith struggled with the decision about leaving Tennessee, he said he has not, and does not, look back.
"I knew they were going to be good," he said. "They may win the Super Bowl this year. But my only regret is if we don't get a chance to do what they're doing, to build like that, then I would say, 'Man, that was a bad decision.' That's the only way."
