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Hot Topics from Titans Coach Mike Vrabel's Monday Presser

Oct 29, 2018 at 03:39 PM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Monday at Saint Thomas Sports Park, coming off the bye weekend and as the team begins preparations for next Monday night's game vs the Cowboys.

Here's a look at some of the hot topics:

Turning Page to Cowboys

Vrabel said the Titans did some self-scouting during the bye week, and on Monday the team met to review things that needed improvement.

The Titans are 3-4 at the bye, ranked 30th in the NFL on offense, and 11th on defense.

"We worked on all the phases of our football team today against each other, and tomorrow morning when they come in we'll transition to Dallas and the problems they pose with Dak (Prescott) and Ezekiel (Elliott) and the receivers and tight ends and offensive line," Vrabel said of the Cowboys.

"Defensively, they are doing a lot of things well – No.(3) in the league in defense. So it will be another big challenge."

Vrabel said the Titans will add some new things in the coming weeks, but the focus will be on doing things better. The coaching staff worked on Sunday to get ready for Dallas, Vrabel said.

Trading Deadline

The NFL trading deadline is on Tuesday.

Vrabel was asked about the possibility of any moves. He deferred to general manager Jon Robinson.

"Until I hear otherwise from Jon, I wouldn't know," Vrabel said. "Jon handles. … I don't sign or trade players."

Vrabel said if the Titans made a move, they'd get the player up to speed quickly.

"It happens all the time," Vrabel said. "We've signed guys on a Tuesday before, and had him get ready for a game. When I was coaching in Houston, we signed a guy on a Tuesday and he played in a Thursday night game, lining up next to J.J. Watt. It is just kind of what happens.

"If you sign a guy you have to get him ready to go. … But I wouldn't know who to get ready to go because I am not determining if there is a trade or not."

Adding Fowler

The Titans signed fullback Jalston Fowler on Monday morning, and he practiced with the team later in the day.

It's Fowler's second stint with the Titans. Fowler played with the Titans from 2015-2017.

"We were looking for somebody who could help us in that role, somebody that could come in and help us run the football, help is offensively," Vrabel said. "We'll take a look at him moving forward and if he can help us, just like everyone else, he'll get an opportunity to play."

Mariota Review

Seven games into the season, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has completed 99-of-150 passes for 1,030 yards, with a passer rating of 78.5. He's thrown three touchdown passes, and been intercepted five times.

Vrabel was asked to critique Mariota's performance so far.

Vrabel said he's "highly rated in the fourth quarter, so we have to find ways to recreate the fourth quarter passing."

"I think he is maybe 24 for 32, 120 rating off the top of my head," Vrabel said of Mariota's fourth quarter passing. "We have to recreate that type of mentality throughout the team, and throughout the first three quarters of the game."

Mariota said the Titans have to be able to run the ball better to open up play-action, which would create more success throwing the football.

Health Update

Safety Kenny Vaccaro, linebacker Derrick Morgan, linebacker Will Compton and guard Quinton Spain all missed the Chargers game with injuries.

Guard Josh Kline left the contest late with an injury.

Vrabel said Kline didn't practice Monday, but is improving.

"Health-wise, we should be close to healthy by the time Dallas ends up rolling around," Vrabel said.

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Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, left, talks with quarterback Steve McNair on the sideline during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002 in a game with the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas won, 21-13. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin)

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Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) is hit by Tennessee Titans defensive end Jaqua Thomas (94) as Cowboys fullback Robert Thomas (44) defends in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002 in Irving, Texas. Dallas won, 21-13. (AP Photo/Steve Hamm)

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Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck (89) stands all alone in the end zone as he pulls in a one-yard touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin)

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) grimmaces after being sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis (98) for the second time in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002 in Irving, Texas. Dallas won, 21-13. (AP Photo/Steve Hamm)

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Dallas Cowboys running back Eddie George (27) is grabed by Tennessee Titans' Rocky Calmus (54) during the first quarter of pre-season play in Irving, Texas, Monday, Aug. 30, 2004. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyrone Calico (87) lands with the receiption under Dallas Cowboys defender Tony Dixon (24) in the first quarter of pre-season play in Irving, Texas, Monday, Aug. 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) prepares to pass during the a pre-season NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Irving, Texas, Monday, Aug. 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Dallas Cowboys running back Eddie George (27) hugs former teammate Tennessee Titans' Brad Hopkins (72) after their pre-season game in Irving, Texas, Monday, Aug. 30, 2004. The Cowboys won 20-17. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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FILE Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) drops back to pass as teammate Benji Olson (75) looks to block Dallas Cowboys' Leonardo Carson (91) in Irving, Texas, Aug. 30, 2004. McNair said Friday, April 8, 2005 that he will return for his 11th season after an injured sternum plagued him for most of 2004. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson (19) is wrapped up by Tennessee Titans safety Tank Williams (27) after the reception in the first quarter of pre-season play in Irving, Texas, Monday, Aug. 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)