TITANS HEAD COACH MIKE MULARKEY PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT - Sept. 5, 2016

(on if today's practice had a different feel now that the regular season has begun)

A little bit. You know, it's an extra practice today that we get in. We got a little bit of work in on Minnesota, a little bit on ourselves—again, some competition between offense and defense. We didn't get in-depth on their roster like we will Wednesday morning. We wanted to treat it as much like a regular season game as we can. Probably a little different when we get here Wednesday.

(on how the Vikings' addition of Sam Bradford impacts the game plan)

We know what his capabilities are. We've got enough film on him to watch him. Again, this is more about us than them. I don't see a complete, big change because of the injury and the trade.

(on if he thinks Sam Bradford will start at quarterback)*

I would say probably yes. I mean he's a very smart quarterback. He's been in the league. He's seen it all. There isn't much he hasn't seen, so I would be surprised if he didn't.

(on what the addition of Marc Mariani brings to the team)

Well, I was here with Marc (Mariani) in 2014. I know what he's done in the past. Really his return ability is what we were looking at. Really it gives us somebody in both areas that we can use as a returner that has been to the Pro Bowl because of it. He's had a lot of success. It was good for this team. This team is excited to have him back. I think the fans will be, as well. He's one of these guys we've been talking about—tough, dependable and team-first. He fits right in with us right away.

(on if he is disappointed they were not able to develop a player to do what Marc Mariani can do)

No, I'm not. We gave guys chances. We attempted to develop. You can say that about a lot of guys. That's your job, and sometimes it doesn't work that way. No, I haven't given that a second thought.

(on if they had any interest in free agent Josh Sitton)

Everybody that's out, we talk about, and we talked about him with a number of other people. But yes, we did talk to him.

(on what Jace Amaro brings to the tight end group)

His pass-catching ability. You know, when he came out, he was really regarded as a spread-out tight end that could have some mismatches with linebackers and safeties. I liked him coming out. I know Jon (Robinson) did. He's got some work to do in the inline blocking. He knows that. That's what we're here for. I kind of take pride in that, teaching them the ins and outs of blocking at the point. But at his size and to be able to run like he does, that is a mismatch.

(on Jace Amaro's reputation that he was not physical with the Jets)

You know, I don't know what his role was with the Jets. I know what his role is right here. I think he knows what we're all about. I think not only myself, but Arthur Smith, I'm sure Jon (Robinson) has put his two cents worth in, but he knows what's expected here and we'll see. That's what has to happen here, regardless of where he came from or what he's done elsewhere.

(on if Jace Amaro fits the need for a younger tight end)

It is, yeah. I mean that's an older room on our roster, so yeah, we were looking for a young guy—again, trying to find some guys that are mismatches in the passing game. You'd like to find a guy that can do both, but those are rare these days that you've got a guy that can be effective in both. So we feel like we've addressed one area.

(on his expectations for Marcus Mariota this year)

I just think the same word I've been using—consistency, putting us in the right situation. Whatever the defense does, putting our guys in the right place, which he's done this whole offseason. Continue to do it in games. Continue to take what the defense gives us. That's a big emphasis. Again, his ball security has been probably talked about more than anything. I think that's one thing he's gotten better at.

(on what scale or curve he would put on Marcus Mariota's growth)

I don't know how high of an angle it is because he did a lot of good things his rookie year. I don't know how much greater it can go. I think it can be better, but I don't know if it can be twice what he did last year.

(on if Marcus Mariota's growth has been on schedule)

I'd say on schedule.

(on why a team values consistency over potential)

Well, you see it every day. You're really getting to see what they can do over and over and over, and you don't have to wait to see if they can develop into something or they have a chance to do this. You see it every day.

(on if consistency at the return position is more important than potential)

Right now, absolutely. I know that about Marc (Mariani). Jon (Robinson) does, our team does and we feel good. I mean I know we feel better today than we did two days ago about our return game.

(on an update on Kendall Wright)

He's running right now. When I get done talking to you guys, he's going to run for me, so I'll have more for you on Wednesday.

(on why there are only nine players on the practice squad)

We're working through some players right now to add the tenth.

(on how comfortable he feels about the starting five on the offensive line)

That's one group I felt really good about when the preseason was over with. They got more snaps than most of the rest of the guys on offense. I like the way they play together. I think there's a good mesh right there. Again, Quinton's (Spain) been there really since the OTAs, so it's good they've gotten that much work together.

(on if there is a position group he does not feel strongly about right now)

No, I feel pretty good about where we're at with this roster. You know, it's a big turnover when you've got 23 new faces on it. I'm feeling pretty good about where we're at right now.

(on not claiming many players off waivers and the faith it shows in the current roster)

Well, when you've made changes in 21 (spots) already, there's not a lot more changes you can make here. You'd be changing out changes if you did a mass on the waiver wire. So we felt good about what we've done to this point and didn't feel like we had to address any other positions.