Bob Kravitz, an entertaining columnist for the Indianapolis Star, has raised the possibility that the Colts’ players have tuned out coach Tony Dungy.

The argument comes at a time when the Colts are 3-3 and not their usual 6-0. They’re coming off a 34-14 loss at Green Bay, where they committed a franchise-record 12 penalties. So I see where the notion is coming from.

There’s also the argument all coaches eventually lose their players’ attention. Al Davis once said the coaching lifespan in the NFL is 10 years. I think he said recently it was five years or three years, but I’m not sure even Al know what he’s said recently.

I don’t believe such a coaching lifespan exists in every situation. For my first witness, I call Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

Fisher is in his 15th season as head coach of the Titans. No other coach in the league has been with his team longer. He’s also the only coach in the league who is undefeated this season.

Here’s another stat to chew on:

If the Titans beat the Colts on Monday night, Fisher will become the fourth head coach to start at least 7-0 in his 15th season or later.

Here are the ones who have done it so far:

Tom Landry, Cowboys, 1977, 18th season.

Tom Landry, Cowboys, 1983, 24th season.

Don Shula, Dolphins, 1984, 22nd season.

The Colts’ 3-3 start isn’t a red flag that Dungy is losing the team. It just means that a great team becomes an average one real quick when injuries strike the offensive line, the future Hall of Fame QB, the best defensive player (Bob Sanders) and others. Â

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