NASHVILLE – Titans head coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Monday, one day after the team's 33-30 overtime win over the Seahawks.
Next up for the Titans is a game against the Colts on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at the hot topics from today's presser …
-Vrabel said he liked the way the Titans responded to adversity in Sunday's game, when the team battled back from a two-touchdown deficit to force overtime, and win. "I'm really proud of our guys, with the effort in which they played with in all three phases," Vrabel said. "It has to be better. We can play better. But that was a big game for us, the way we all played in the second half."
-Vrabel offered praise second-year cornerback Kristian Fulton, who was physical in coverage against Seattle's receivers. Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf was held mostly in check on Sunday, held to just 53 receiving yards six catches, an average of 8.8 yards per catch. "I think he has played well," Vrabel said of Fulton. "We had high expectations for Kristian and the way he performed in the offseason and the way he performed in training camp. Confidence is a large part of life, and in football, and obviously most importantly playing corner. … I thought he did a nice job of (keeping his composure)."
-Vrabel didn't provide an update on left tackle Taylor Lewan or guard Rodger Saffold. Lewan was among the team's inactives on Sunday after suffering a setback in pregame workouts, while Saffold left the game with a shoulder injury. "Rodger didn't finish and obviously Taylor wasn't available," Vrabel said. "We'll know more as we work our way through the week and we'll see if we get both those guys back."
-Safety Dane Cruikshank played 36 of the team's 54 defensive snaps, and Vrabel said he did enough to earn more opportunities moving forward. "I thought he played fast and showed up," Vrabel said of Cruikshank, who was credited with three tackles. "He played with a speed that we are looking for."
-Vrabel gushed when asked about the team's offensive line. Ty Sambrailo stepped in to play left tackle after Lewan's pre-game setback, while Aaron Brewer came in to play left guard when Saffold went down. "I can't say enough about that group," Vrabel said. "They battled, they competed. That's who we are, man. At the end of the game they are picking themselves off the ground. They got us a couple of times on some pressures … that we have to be better on, but they gave us a chance to win. That unit gave us a chance to win."
-Titans receiver A.J. Brown called himself out on a social media post after Sunday's game, when he caught just three passes for 43 yards despite being targeted nine times in the game. Brown failed to haul in some passes he usually catches. "I would say it was uncharacteristic," Vrabel said of Brown's drops. "We all have come to expect a high level of performance from A.J. and he expects a lot from himself. So, we'll just have to focus on concentration, focus on the week of practice and making those plays, and visualizing them and finishing them."
-Vrabel on running back Derrick Henry's 182-yard, three-touchdown performance: "Just an outstanding effort by Derrick in the run game and a lot of other people."
-The Titans defense held the Seahawks to just 4-of-12 on third down, and it got off the field in some critical situations late. Vrabel didn't like the third-down breakdown that led to a long completion for a score, but overall he felt the group "swarmed" and he thought guys plays hard. "And I thought there was a level of a rush that forced (Russell Wilson) out of there," Vrabel said. "The biggest thing is we have to make them earn everything."
-Vrabel had a pretty good one-liner when asked about the crowd noise at Lumen Field on Seattle. Asked how it ranked among the loudest venues he coached or played in, Vrabel responded: "At the beginning, or the end?," Vrabel said with a smile. He continued: "Nah, it's a really difficult place to play, it is. But I felt like we embraced it. I felt like we were ready for it. Guys responded."
