NASHVILLE – Titans Coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Monday, one day after the team's 27-24 overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here's a look at the biggest topics from the presser:
-Vrabel liked what he saw from running backs Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears on Sunday. Henry ran for 80 yards on 25 carries, while Spears had 49 yards on eight carries. Henry played 46 snaps compared to 24 for Spears. "We just want them both to be productive," Vrabel said. "And we know Derrick is going to have to get his touches. Tajae can clearly help us as well." Vrabel suggested the blocking wasn't always great for Spears. "We're going to block for him one day, I promise you, and he's going to gain 30, 40, 50 yards, I'm not sure," Vrabel said. "Every time you think he is going to get tackled he burst through for another five or six yards."
-Vrabel said the Titans need to be better on first and second down on defense, although he was happy with the 2-of-14 performance on third down. "We only had eight missed tackles," Vrabel said, "three of them on one play." Vrabel said, "it continues to be, defensively, just a small handful of plays that if you could have back it would be really cool."
-Vrabel said the team didn't know guard Peter Skoronski wouldn't be available for the game until Saturday afternoon. Skoronski had "a procedure," per Vrabel, and his return to play is to be determined. Xavier Newman started at left guard in place of Skoronski, but Dillon Radunz relieved Newman, played 53 snaps, and finished the contest. "Give a lot of credit to Dillon for being able to jump in there," Vrabel said of Radunz. "Being out 8 ½ months, it's an impressive feat for him to play the (53) snaps that he did and play them fairly well. … The concern is about Peter and his health. … We'll keep you updated on when he'll be back out there."
-Vrabel said the 70-yard pass to receiver Treylon Burks might be the biggest play Burks has made in Tennessee. "Where the situation was in the game, needing a spark, (it was big)," Vrabel said.
-Vrabel said cornerback Tre Avery competed, and played hard. Avery was credited with eight tackles and one pass defensed in the game. "I have no issues with his competitiveness," Vrabel said, "and he actually had some PBUs down the field when they did challenge him." Vrabel said safety Mike Brown, who played 20 snaps, was also solid.
-When asked about the potential return of cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring) and safety Amani Hooker (concussion), Vrabel said "we'll see where they are heading into Wednesday. I would say hopeful at this point and time, but just being Monday, Amani has to pass through the protocol and then we'll see where Kristian is at."
-Cornerback Caleb Farley is back with the team following the tragic death of his father last month. Farley remains on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list, but he's been working, per Vrabel. "An unbelievable attitude, demeanor," Vrabel said of Farley. "I've really been impressed with how he's been able to handle all of this. I saw him again this morning, rehabbing. He's been through a lot, but by all accounts, he's doing well. He's working hard to get back and obviously dealing with everything he's having to deal with outside of football and his own personal health. … He looks great physically, just waiting for things to progress with the back and his rehab."
-Next up for the Titans is a game on Sunday in Cleveland vs the Browns, who play the Steelers tonight. The Browns beat the Bengals 24-3 in Week One. "We'll get a jump on them, and then we'll watch how tonight goes," Vrabel said. "They got off to a good start last week, and we'll see about tonight. It will be a huge challenge like it always is against a talented football team."
-I asked Vrabel about the heroic officers who responded to The Covenant School, who served as the "Honorary 12th Titan" for the #Titans on Sunday.
His response is below:
