NASHVILLE – Titans Coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on Monday, ahead of Sunday's regular season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Here's a look at some of the hot topics from today's presser:
-Vrabel was asked if he's ready to name the team's No.2 QB behind starter Ryan Tannehill. His answer: "No, not yet." Asked what he wants to see from Malik Willis and Will Levis in practice before making the decision, Vrabel said, "I think a lot of it is based on game plan, about who we feel who would step in there and help us. Will has been out a little bit (injured), but we're excited to get him back this week and (we'll) continue with Malik's maturity and kind of see where it goes at the end of the week."
-Titans receiver Treylon Burks returned to practice last week for the first time since suffering a knee injury in joint practices vs the Vikings. The Titans are required to submit an Injury Report starting on Wednesday, with game designations due on Friday. "He'll do more today (at practice), and he's added more each day I would say since last week," Vrabel said of Burks. "(He's) been diligent in his rehab, and worked hard to get back. … We have a little longer week, and we have to … work our execution throughout the week, but also be mindful that it is a longer week and we're ready to go for Sunday."
-Vrabel said Week One presents a challenge, in part because of the unknowns: "You have to be sound," he said. "It's about not chasing ghosts. Yeah, you can prepare for a lot of different things, but you also have to commit to something and practice it, and also be willing to adjust and be ready to adjust based on what you are seeing and how the game is going."
-The Titans added veteran edge rusher Trevis Gipson last week. Vrabel said Gipson, formerly with the Bears, "is a guy who has played in this league, who has produced in this league with a certain skillset. How he develops and how he acclimates himself to our program and what we are doing, and as soon as he can determine a role, then we'll see where we go from there."
-Vrabel said the Titans "hopefully" can manage outside linebacker Harold Landry's snaps, with numbers at the position, and coming off of injury. "I think, as we get more players that can rotate and sub in there and be productive, then I think that's something that could happen."
-Vrabel said Saints quarterback Derek Carr's comfort level running the offense, and his decisiveness, knowing where to go with the football, makes him dangerous. "And he's athletic enough to avoid pass rush, but also scrambles to throw," Vrabel said of Carr. "His ability to see the post-snap movement, rotation, knowing where he wants to go with the football, and being decisive."
