NASHVILLE – Titans coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Tuesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park as players reported for training camp.
The team's first practice is scheduled for Wednesday.
Here's a look at the highlights from Vrabel's presser:
-Vrabel said new Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins is a "proven player who has had production year after year" when asked what he brings to the team. His experience in the offense, and familiarity helps, Vrabel said. Vrabel said he expects Hopkins to come in and work hard, and he's confident he'll do that. Vrabel said Hopkins will miss a few days early in camp to take care of a prior engagement. "There may be a day or two when he won't be here, not to alarm anybody," Vrabel said. "I appreciate him letting us know that on the onset."
-Vrabel paid back-up quarterback Malik Willis a nice compliment while discussing the team's signal-callers on Tuesday. "I thought Malik came out of the spring with glaring improvement," Vrabel said. "Will (Levis) is learning what goes into being an NFL quarterback and certainly the consistency that Ryan (Tannehill) showed during the offseason and his willingness to pick up new terminology with the offense. … We feel good about where we're all. You can't have too many quarterbacks, and hopefully they're all good ones and that we'll have tough decisions. It was fun to see the guys improve." Vrabel said Levis made some strides himself making throws using touch.
-When asked which players might work at right tackle during training camp, Vrabel named a number of candidates. "Jamarco Jones has worked there the first couple of days with the early report guys," Vrabel said. "I think Andrew Rupcich will play over there, Jaelyn (Duncan) will have a shot over there, and John (Ojukwa). We'll kind of see where things go, and we'll find the best person there." The Titans will be without Nicholas Petit-Frere for the first six games of the regular season for a violation of the league's gambling policy.
-Vrabel said first-round pick Peter Skoronski will work at guard in practices at the start of training camp, but he didn't rule out the possibility of him joining the competition at right tackle. "But I kind of like where he's at right now, and what that looks like inside," Vrabel said of Skoronski. "But I wouldn't say that that would be off the table, it's just not what we're going to do tomorrow at practice." Vrabel said Skoronski improved at guard during the offseason, and the team enjoyed watching his progress.
-Vrabel was asked about running back Hassan Haskins, who was arrested and charged in an off-field incident recently: "One, we're very sensitive to those incidents. But we want to be smart, and we want to provide for all the facts and all the information we can possibly get, and the legal process. We treat those very seriously. We want to make great decisions but also want to give Hassan and everybody some due process and allow for all the facts to come out."
-When asked about linebacker Harold Landry, who was not on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of camp: "We'll see how he feels, and see how he responds to the work," Vrabel said of Landry, who didn't participate in OTA or the team's minicamp as he recovers from last year's knee injury. "It looks like he's ready to go. I'm sure Harold will be one of those guys that may not be out there every day, may just need some individual work, some third-down work."
-Vrabel confirmed offensive linemen George Fant and Chris Hubbard worked out for the team recently, but said there's "nothing new to report there." Neither player has returned to town since the weekend visit.
-Vrabel said former Titans tight end Luke Stocker earned a spot on his coaching staff for 2023 through his work as an intern over the offseason. Stocker has officially been hired as an offensive assistant. "He did a fantastic job, probably quicker than I expected," Vrabel said.
