NASHVILLE – Titans Coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Monday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, one day after his team's 21-17 win over the Commanders.
Here's a look at the hot topics from today's presser:
-Vrabel said the Titans plan to take advantage of their bye week.
"We'll used the time to the best of our advantage to try and get guys back healthy and give some guys some rest that have played a lot of football for us," Vrabel said. "We'll find ways to improve."
The Titans have a number of players banged up, and this will be an important time for them, Vrabel said.
"Their plan is they have a responsibility to the football team that when they can't perform and do their job, they stay here and get treatment," Vrabel said. "I don't think they are going to have much of a vacation outside of 460 Great Circle (Road)."
-Vrabel bragged on Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill and his toughness.
Tannehill was sacked five times on Sunday, and he was hit at least 13 times.
Since taking over as the team's starter in 2019, Tannehill has never missed a game.
"His toughness is certainly appreciated – I appreciate it, and I know the football team appreciates it," Vrabel said. "To be able to stand in there and get hit and try and work through his progressions and take care of the football and all those things. I think the more times the quarterback gets hit in this league, the more chances you have for error. So we have to work on that and we have to improve that. But it's been great that he's been able to exhibit that kind of toughness and make plays to help us win."
-Vrabel acknowledged the team's problems giving up the deep ball on defense, saying it's a combination of several things.
Against the Commanders, cornerback Caleb Farley was in coverage on a 75-yard touchdown pass. Later, cornerback Roger McCreary was in coverage for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
"We have to clean up some of things and not get beat, and not give up plays over our head," Vrabel said. "We'll keep working on it."
-Dillon Radunz stepped in and played right guard on Sunday, after Nate Davis was announced as one of the team's inactives.
Davis worked out on the field in pregame, but the coaching and training staff ultimately ruled him out.
"I thought that Dillon had some good plays, going against a very good front, interior rushers and active linebackers," Vrabel said. "I thought he went in there and played well enough for us to win."
Vrabel said he thought left tackle Dennis Daley "settled down" after a tough start to the game.
-The Titans defense held the Commanders to 1-11 on third down on Sunday, one of the keys to the game, per Vrabel.
"It's a huge key, to be able to affect the quarterback," Vrabel said. "I thought we mixed some coverages and I thought it was a good mixture of man and zone. And when we brought some pressure, or when we dropped out of there, I thought it was a good mix. Guys were trying to do their job to either affect the quarterback or be in the right spots in coverage."
-Linebacker David Long Jr. made the play of the day on Sunday.
It was Long who stepped in front of a pass by Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz to intercept it on the one-yard line in the closing seconds.
"You can't say enough about his competitive spirit," Vrabel said of Long. "He is not the biggest linebacker, but he plays with relentless effort, great instincts. I love being around him every day, just the type of person that he is and how hard he plays and how important it is to him.
"I know that this football team means a lot (to him), and he means a lot to us."
-Vrabel is also happy about defensive lineman Teair Tart, who made more plays on Sunday after recording an interception last week in Indianapolis.
"I think he's a very improved player for us, probably one of our most improved players," Vrabel said. "That's a testament to Teair and the defensive staff."
-After an 0-2 start, the Titans are 3-2 at the bye week.
Through five games, the Titans sit alone atop the AFC South.
"I hope (our best football) is still in front of us, I do," Vrabel said. "I'm confident that it is."
