NASHVILLE – Titans Coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Monday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, one day after his team's 19-14 loss to the Texans.
Here's a look at the hot topics from today's presser as the Titans turn their attention to Thursday night's game vs the Dallas Cowboys:
-Vrabel said the Titans are taking the "health of the football team into consideration" when making decisions on which players might sit out of Thursday night's game. In the race for the AFC South, the Week 18 finale at Jacksonville is most important, and the win-and-in playoff scenario will decide the division no matter what happens in the game vs the Cowboys. "We'll try to make the best decision(s) for the team," Vrabel said.
-Vrabel said quarterback Malik Willis did some positive things in his third start on Saturday, from controlling the operation in practices and meetings and on the field in the game. Vrabel said Willis needs to be quicker with his progressions on the field, but "he made some good decisions. … I thought when he was decisive, he was able to get to some guys. … There were some things there than were good, but obviously we want to continue to progress."
-Vrabel has some positive things to say about the offensive linemen who stepped up in place of injured starters on Saturday, from right guard Jordan Roos to center Corey Levin to tackle Le'Raven Clark, who entered the contest at right tackle when Nicholas Petit-Frere was injured. "I thought they played extremely hard," Vrabel said. "You saw Roos finishing. … I thought throughout the course of the game he was competitive, and he tried to finish. He was good on his assignments. Corey had a few operational issues we'd like to have back, and we need to make sure that we get corrected for Thursday. Le'Raven went in at right tackle and did a nice job and held up in there for us."
-Among Vrabel's biggest messages to the team this week: "Say less and do more." Vrabel said everyone needs to do more, from coaches to players.
-Vrabel was asked about quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and his status moving forward. When asked why Tannehill remains on the 53-man roster instead of being placed on Injured Reserve, Vrabel said "I would say that's an indication that he's doing everything he can to get back and help this team at some point."
