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Fisher not worried about job status while Titans keep sliding

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- At least the Titans have a long weekend to rest and forget about football before trying to end their six-game losing streak.

The questions about coach Jeff Fisher's job security, how he's dealing with Vince Young and his decisions during games keep growing louder.

The Titans have matched the six-game skid to open the 2009 season, and this latest slide has been a free fall to the bottom of the AFC South -- after they led the division at 5-2. Their best hope now is matching their 8-8 record of 2009 with the playoffs likely missed for the fifth time in the last seven seasons.

The Titans finally found the end zone again Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts to end a 14-quarter drought without a touchdown. The defense even showed up, but Tennessee couldn't overcome early mistakes in a 30-28 loss.

Fisher said Friday he never concerns himself with questions about his future with the team. He's busy trying to win a game.

"I'm under contract," Fisher said. "As I've said numerous times, I hope to finish my career here."

Asked if he has spoken with Titans owner Bud Adams, Fisher said he wouldn't share their discussions.

"He clearly understands what happened with this season in particular the instability at the quarterback position and injuries on the defensive line," Fisher said. "He doesn't like it. We don't like it. He's not happy with it, nor are we. We move on and get yourself prepared to play and try to win the next game."

Titans fans have been very loyal to Fisher, the NFL's longest-tenured coach with his current team. He was the coach when Adams relocated this team to Nashville in 1997, and Fisher has been the face of the franchise over the 14 seasons in the state with his weekly radio and TV shows.

A handful of fans wore bags over their heads during this latest loss, and radio stations stayed busy Friday with fans picking apart Fisher's moves against the Colts. Fisher punted on fourth-and-1 with 4:14 left and trailing 27-21. Even Chris Johnson, who ran for 111 yards, said after the game he thought Tennessee should have gone for it.

Then the Titans used the final 2 minutes, 55 seconds of the game trying to make up a nine-point deficit.

On the positive side, it was the Titans' longest scoring drive since Week 2 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, Rob Bironas' extra point with no time on the clock simply helped with the spread, not the win column.

Fisher said he would do the same thing again, even with a few hours to reconsider.

Then there's the still simmering issue of Young.

Wide receiver Kenny Britt, in his first game since straining his right hamstring on Oct. 31, wore a towel with "10" and "VY" during the first half against the Colts before being told he needed to change. He is expected to be fined by the NFL for a uniform violation.

Fisher also told NFL Network before the game that he believes his locker room is better without Young right now because the coach thinks the other players disagree with how the quarterback reacted in cursing him out before storming out of the stadium with a season-ending injury Nov. 21.

Fisher hasn't talked to Young since then.

"I'm surprised he's not here," Fisher said of Young. "He was not told to not be here. But again, he's following the guidelines of what we have to do with injured-reserved players. We've got several players that are rehabbing outside of Nashville that are not here for games. We have a handful of players here who are on the sidelines for games."

Asked if Young is pouting, Fisher said he didn't know because the quarterback hasn't been at team headquarters. Fisher repeated that Young is welcome at the building for meetings and rehabilitation.

"I'm coaching this football team. My door's open. I'm not going to go out of my way to do that," Fisher said. "That doesn't have any bearing on what's going to happen tomorrow, this weekend or over the next three weekends. He's welcome to come in if he wants to. We're going to address it when the season is over."

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Then there's Randy Moss.

The veteran receiver wasn't thrown to once against Indianapolis and didn't get into the game until five minutes left in the first half. Fisher defended that move, noting Britt started before his injury and both play the same position.

Fisher said there's a chance the Titans could work both Moss and Britt -- their best receivers -- onto the field at the same time down the stretch. But it will be the second-year Britt learning to slide to the other position and not Moss with time running out this season.

"Randy's done everything we've asked of him. ... We have no issues," Fisher said.

The Titans aren't due back until Tuesday, and Fisher hinted at lineup changes with the team going younger.

They can agree on one goal with the Houston Texans visiting Dec. 18.

"It really is trying to at least get one victory," Johnson said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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