updated 5:39 p.m. ET Nov. 17, 2007

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Jeff Fisher and Mike Shanahan borrow ideas from each other, seek out draft-day advice, even pilfer players off the other’s practice squad.

That’s just what coaching friends do in the NFL.

Fisher, who’s in charge of the Titans, and Shanahan, the head man in Denver, have remained close pals since their days together in San Francisco in the early ’90s.

Their friendship, though, has been put on mute until after Tennessee and Denver meet on Monday night.

“We’re not good friends this week,” Fisher said with a grin. “I do think it’s a challenge (going against a friend).”

Fisher and Shanahan bonded under the tutelage of former 49ers coach George Seifert. Fisher was the 49ers’ defensive backs coach for two years (1992-93) while Shanahan served as the offensive coordinator for three (1992-94), even helping San Francisco to a Super Bowl crown following the 1994 season.

“We both learned an awful lot,” Fisher said. “Our experiences there were good. I think you’d probably find our practice schedules and our approach to weekly scheduling and those kinds of things are probably similar based on our experiences.”

They chitchat all the time. The conversations between Fisher and Shanahan range from personnel decisions to how to beat an upcoming foe.

However, they rarely discuss Xs and Os.

“We’ll let the tape speak for itself,” Fisher said.

The two trust each other unequivocally. That’s one of the reasons Denver ended up with quarterback Jay Cutler with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft.

The Titans (6-3) brought in Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Cutler for workouts, before selecting Young with the third pick in the draft.

When Shanahan asked for advice on Cutler, Fisher gave him his honest assessment. So, without having spoken directly to Cutler, the Broncos traded up to take the Vanderbilt product.

“Jeff thought the world of him,” Shanahan said on draft day. “Obviously, I liked what I saw on film.”

Shanahan trusted his friend’s scouting report.

“I think it speaks about our relationship,” Fisher said. “Mike and I both understand how competitive this draft is and we had already gone ahead and made our decision. I was glad to help.”

Shanahan recently poached two players off Fisher’s practice squad, picking up defensive end Larry Birdine and guard Isaac Snell from Tennessee.

“I was just hoping he wasn’t mad at me,” Shanahan said with a grin.

He wasn’t. Fisher understands that it’s just business.

“I complimented him,” Fisher said. “Both Isaac and Larry are just great guys, we just really enjoyed them.”

They don’t discuss free agents, though. It’s a gentleman’s agreement between them.

So when running back Travis Henry was released by Tennessee in a cost-cutting move after last season, Shanahan didn’t consult his buddy. Denver signed Henry to a five-year deal.

However, the troubled tailback is battling all sorts of issues, including injuries (sore left knee and ribs) and the league over a possible suspension stemming from the results of a drug test.

“In free agency, you don’t communicate because everybody’s got a job to do, just like if (the Titans) are trying to sign one of our players or we’re trying to sign one of theirs,” Shanahan said. “You don’t know if somebody wants somebody or doesn’t want somebody, and what’s happening behind closed doors.”

Tennessee cornerback Kelly Herndon has played for both coaches and said they share a similar trait: communication.

“Those are two people you can go talk to,” Herndon said. “They tell you what’s going on, and they’ll be straight with you. They like to have fun, and they’re all about winning. Players want to be around coaches like that.”

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Fisher and Shanahan are the two longest-tenured active head coaches in the NFL with their current teams. Both are in their 13th full seasons.

But with tenure comes heightened expectations. Shanahan has had just one losing season since being hired as Denver’s coach on Jan. 31, 1995. But his team is off to an uncharacteristic 4-5 start, partly due to the Broncos’ movement toward youth this season.

“Everybody understands what a competitive business it is and how fortunate you are to just have a job and keep a job,” Shanahan said. “It’s something we both appreciate and respect.”

Cutler certainly appreciates both coaches, having worked out for Fisher and started for Shanahan.

“Coach Fisher is a first-class guy,” Cutler said. “He’s like coach Shanahan, he is a guy you want to play for. He tries to put his team in the best position to win. They go out and get the players they need, and they don’t take a lot of crap from people. It’s a joy playing for coach Shanahan, and I’m sure the Titans feel the same about coach Fisher.”

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