Coach Fisher's Monday press conference

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(On the approach to this week)

You know, the approach first and foremost is to win the ball game. That's what we do. That's what we get paid to do, try and win ball games. As far as our approach to playing different players, I'm not there yet and we'll have to wait and see. I would expect that most everybody's going to play. If they're healthy, they'll play and I can't predict what Coach [Tony] Dungy is going to do with his club. All we can do is go in there and play and try to win the ball game.

(On why winning a meaningless game is important)

You play these games to win. That's why it's important. You don't ever go into a game without expecting or doing everything you possibly can to win it. That's the priority this week.

(On if the Colts playing their starters will determine how much the Titans do)

It's not going to have any impact on what we do. He's going to do what he feels is best for his team, we're going to do what's best for our team.

(On if the upcoming few weeks is similar to the third and fourth preseason game in terms of playing starters so they don't go too long without playing)

This is our seventeenth week in the National Football League and this is our sixteenth game. This is not a preseason game. That's why I thought yesterday's performance was so important. That we needed to play well against a good football team. We talked about this game being a momentum game for us. We had to build some momentum going into the playoffs. Now, that momentum continues. You can practice well, you can prepare well, you can take advantage of the time off, the rest. We also have one more game to play and most of our players are going to play in it.

(On how a tackle for loss can ruin a possession for an offense)

Third downs are the key, getting off the field is the key to playing successful defense. The longer the down and distance on third down, the better chances you have of getting off the field. So when you can tackle a back for a loss and create a second-and-12 or second-and-13, you create yourself a good situation. I thought our guys did a great job yesterday of recognizing some things, recognizing the draws, making the hits in the backfield. Jimmy [Jim Schwartz] had some good calls timed up on some plays. Then of course, they stayed out a step ahead of us. They ran this pump-draw. They would pump-draw and then throw the ball down the field. It was quite a game from a play-calling standpoint on both sides.

(On playing Vince Young this week)

I'd say there's a pretty good chance Vince will get in the ball game. How much, I don't know right now. But I think there's a good chance he'll get in the ball game.

(On what makes Mike Munchak and Jim Washburn so effective as coaches)

Well, they're both great teachers. They teach not only the fundamentals but the intricacies of each position. They're remarkably good assistant coaches. One, they can get the most out of the players and understand the importance of coaching them differently because they all have different strengths and weaknesses. Both of those coaches in particular do a great job of getting the most out of the players.

(On if he will play Chris Simms)

You know, again, I'm not going to go into details as to how far we go and how many people play other than I think there's a chance Vince [Young] will get in the ball game. Chris is doing a great job on the practice field and will continue to do so.

(On throwing deep during free plays such as offsides)

The touchdown pass to Justin [Gage] was a great throw. Justin did a great job on the route and I'd like to think that would of happened had they not jumped offsides or jumped into the neutral zone. It was a great throw and catch but he knows, Kerry [Collins] knows when he gets someone across the line of scrimmage and they shut the play down that it makes sense to go ahead and take a shot.

(On the execution on fourth down)

I felt at a point in the game when we were going to need touchdowns. That's the best defense in the National Football League and you have to take advantage of some opportunities and that's what we did. Mike [Heimerdigner] had two great plays called and the players executed. Ahmard Hall did a great job of sealing off the inside for CJ [Chris Johnson] to run. It's the extra effort things that we got on both those plays.

(On the flag that was picked up in the end zone)

They had some difficulties sorting it out. When I heard what you heard, that the ball was tipped, I knew the ball wasn't tipped and you can challenge that play, so I threw the flag. Then the conversation started and they got it worked out. The backjudge felt that there should not have been a penalty because their legs got tangled. It's my opinion that it was clearly pass interference after looking at the play and it should have been ruled pass interference. Now, he mistakenly said something about a tipped ball to John Parry the referee so John went ahead and made the announcement. We got it sorted out, we had a discussion. It was nice to be part of the conference and help them get it sorted out.

(On if he thought the pass interference was on the defender in front of Justin Gage or behind him)

It was behind.

(On if it would have become a bigger issue for him if they didn't get the unsportsmanlike penalty on the field goal attempt)

Well, we were playing well. We were making plays. Kerry [Collins] had a good feel for what we were doing. But certainly the first down as a result of our field goal attempt, I think that was a huge play in the game. That was a four-point swing for us.

(On if he had ever seen an unsportsmanlike call of that nature being made on a field goal attempt)

No, it usually comes on third-down situations but I'm glad it was called. It is something that happens out there and it's hard for them to hear it but it is something that happens and there's no place for that in the ball game.

(On things Jason Jones and William Hayes did well and also things they could work on)

Well, they're young players and they're going to continue to improve but Jason's played quite a bit for us this year and been productive. William on the other hand hasn't played as much, but he's played very well the last two weeks. He has a lot of room for improvement but he's been very effective. He's very strong, he's separating well, he's rushing the passer well, he's flipping back playing both sides. This was a really good opportunity for William in particular the last two weeks to get some valuable playing time.

(On the status of Kevin Mawae)

We're still doing some tests and evaluating.

(On if the injury to Mawae is season-ending)

No, I'm more concerned about whether he'll play this week or not. It was not dislocated.

(On how Leroy Harris filled in at center)

Leroy did fine. Leroy's more than capable of playing for us upfront.

(On if the bye week is a luxury for injuries in this situation)

Yeah, if Kevin's in a situation where he's questionable for the ball game than it would make sense to give Leroy an opportunity. Now whether I put Leroy at guard or at center, that's a decision we'll have to make.

(On some Titans players stomping on the Terrible Towel)

Well, we're not about those things. I really think this. To our players, that's just a towel. That's all it is, is a towel. They don't understand the significance or the meaning of the towel itself to the organization, the Steelers history or the Steelers fans. On one hand I think they were having fun and just playing with a towel. It was certainly not a shot at the organization or the players or the staff or the fans. Our players have great respect for the Pittsburgh Steelers and what they've accomplished. They were talking in the locker room after the game about what a good football team that was. So this was just a couple guys playing around with a towel. It was unnecessary in my opinion.

(On if he has had to talk to players about premature celebrations and making sure the ball breaks the plane of the end zone before starting to celebrate)

Yeah, those things will be discussed and have been discussed and the point will be driven home.

(On if he's disappointed it has to be brought up with the players)

I mean, Philly lost two of them this year.  In my opinion, you need to act like you've been there before and put the ball on the ground and come back to the sideline and celebrate. Now, we understand and we learned the hard way that you need to get in the paint, you need to get in the white, you need to get in your boundary before you're doing that stuff where you're going to be penalized.

(On if Chris Johnson using his own towel as a prop is a fineable offense)

It potentially could be a problem but it was his towel. It's not like he took the towel out of from the back of his pads and waved it. But the rule states that you can't use the ball as a prop or props and if you're doing something different with the towel than you ordinarily do it could be perceived as a penalty.

(On if some players take the advice of being cautious about celebrations better than others)

You know, when he pounded the drums he got a free drum set so maybe he trying to get [something] (laughter). Maybe he's out of paper towels at his house.

(On if it bothers him that so much has been made about the towel stomping)

To be honest with you, I didn't know it took place until I got in this morning. I wasn't aware of it after the game and I didn't pay much attention to it. You know, if we're fortunate to see Pittsburgh again and that's the motivation they need to play better than that's okay. I think by the time you get to that ball game, whenever it is, I think both teams will be highly motivated. Again, I'll just reemphasize, from our player's standpoint it was just a towel. I don't think they intended on this being as big a deal but you can see how the Steelers fans [reacted]. You know, I thought yesterday was a great day for the National Football League because it shows you what kind of fan support that so many of the other teams have, in particular the Pittsburgh Steelers and the following that they have. It kind of gave our fans, I think, an idea of the rich history and tradition that they have and the great following that they have.

(On if yesterday resembled a playoff atmosphere)

Clearly, the noise factor was there, the energy was there and it was there throughout the ball game. People never sat down. There were people that stood and watched the ball game the whole game. It was a great rehearsal not only for our players but for our fans.

(On if the towel stomping is similar to an opposing team member jumping into the stands at Lambeau or standing on the star at Texas Stadium)

You know, I think that's something that you have to decide for yourself. We have rules and there's sportsmanship and there's all kinds of things and the league is very explicit with what you can do and what you can't do. So again, I talked enough about the towel thing. When players do things as a result of celebrations, they have to be careful as to not hurt the team. They can be penalized and/or fined.