"He hinted at possible changes on the defensive coaching staff.

He suggested that quarterback Kerry Collins might come back for another season, although probably not as a starter.

He said he definitely wants to keep his job with the Titans.

But when the subject of Vince Young was broached on Monday afternoon, Jeff Fisher deftly took the high road.

And in doing so, Fisher sent the message to owner Bud Adams' office in Houston — as well as any NFL outpost currently without a head coach — that this is all about his relationship with Young, or lack thereof. Not wins. Not losses.

Fisher masterfully framed the argument to send the message that this is a power struggle between a coach and a quarterback.

Some telling outtakes from a 23-minute, 42-second news conference:

If Vince Young is on the team, do you still want to be the coach of the Titans?

"There are some things we have to discuss. As I said, we would address the quarterback situation when the season was over, and it's been over less than 24 hours, so we still have some time."

Is his presence undermining your support as head coach?

"I'll address the quarterback situation when the decision has been made."

In the event you do meet with Mr. Adams at some point this week and he asks you if you wanted Vince Young back, where would you be?

"That would be between Mr. Adams and myself."

Do you want Vince Young back?

"You know, again, when the decision is made, I'll voice my opinions on that."

It was by far Fisher's best game plan of the year. This was less about a 6-10 season — with eight losses in the last nine games — and more about the schism between coach and quarterback.

That's important for Fisher's current job security as well as any future employment opportunities. He is forcing Adams to choose between an established NFL coach with a 16-year tenure and a .540 winning percentage and a fifth-year quarterback with talent and baggage.

And if Adams chooses Young and Fisher becomes a coaching free agent, he wants to hit the open market with the reputation as a coach who would not kowtow to a moody quarterback."