GREEN Bay, Wisc. -- The Titans face the Green Bay Packers in the preseason opener on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
Mike Vrabel's debut
We've seen new Titans coach Mike Vrabel in press conferences. We've seen him on the practice field. Here on Thursday, he'll make his head coaching debut with the Titans. It's been fun to watch Vrabel control practices, and communicate with his players. Now he'll get a chance to run the show from the sideline after running out of the tunnel at historic Lambeau Field. How will he handle in-game situations? What will his plan be out of the gate? Will the Titans have a "clean operation" like he's looking for? It's one reason to watch.
Matt LaFleur calling the shots
Vrabel hired Matt LaFleur to be his offensive coordinator, and he'll call his first game with the Titans vs. the Packers. LaFleur, formerly with the Los Angeles Rams, actually called his first game against Green Bay a year ago – in the fourth preseason game. Chances are LaFleur won't give away too many secrets during the preseason. But the games will be a nice test on how quickly the plays are called, and what he might allow the first team offense to do.
Marcus Mariota/progress of offense
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota isn't expected to play much in this one. He'll be in a baseball cap most of the contest. When he's out there, he'd like to get into a rhythm and build confidence with some of the team's receivers. In practices, the offense has made progress over the past few months, but it's clearly a work in progress. We'll begin to get some hints on that progress against the Packers.
The Tennessee Titans travel to Green Bay to face the Packers Thursday night in the preseason opener for both clubs. (Photos: Donn Jones)
Harold Landry
First-round pick Rashaan Evans won't play after being held out of recent practices. Neither will outside linebacker Brian Orakpo. Second-round pick Harold Landry, however, should be fun to watch at edge rusher, in his first NFL game. Landry has lined up with the first team unit in practices, working a lot against left tackle Taylor Lewan. It will be nice to see how he fares against the Packers in his NFL debut.
The "MMCNB" crew
The secondary has been top-notch in practices, recording interceptions while setting a tone with an aggressive style of play. It sounds like Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers probably won't play in this one, so the Titans will instead face backups Brett Hundley and DeShone Kizer, and possibly fourth-stringer Tim Boyle. Will the "My Man Catches No Balls" crew wreak havoc from the get-go? I wouldn't expect to see the front-liners on the field much, so backups will get the most chances.
The rookies
Speaking of back-ups, this will be a chance for some of the undrafted free agents to make a splash. I'm looking forward to seeing how receivers Deontay Burnett, Jordan Veasy and Devin Ross perform, along with running backs Akrum Wadley and Dalyn Dawkins. All have flashed in camp. Tight end Anthony Firkser is one to keep an eye on. Defensively, cornerback Rico Gafford has a chance to help himself if he continues to make plays. Quarterback Luke Falk had one of his best practices in camp last Friday at Centennial. How will he fare on Thursday night?
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series between the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers. (AP Photos)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Tennessee Titans defensive lineman DaQuan Jones (90) for a loss of 10 yards in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Cassel (16) talks with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 47-25. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs against Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray enters the field before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) leaves the field after a 47-25 win over the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
The Tennessee Titans play the Green Bay Packers in Nissan Stadium during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Perrish Cox celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Green Bay Packers in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) is congratulated by linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) after Walker scored a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) celebrates after gaining a first down against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) tries to get past Green Bay Packers free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota slaps hands with fans as he leaves the field after the Titans beat the Green Bay Packers 47-25 in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Los quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (8) de los Titans de Tennessee y Aaron Rodgers (12) de los Packers de Green Bay tras el final del partido de la NFL, el domingo 13 de noviembre de 2016. (AP Foto/Mark Zaleski)
FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2016 file photo, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Matthews now has six touchdowns over his past six games as Tennessee prepares to visit Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/James Kenney, File)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on a 33-yard pass reception in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 47-25. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a 6-yard pass reception against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked for a 9-yard loss by Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 47-25. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) tries to get past Green Bay Packers free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) passes against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) beats Green Bay Packers defensive back Micah Hyde (33) to the end zone as Wright scores a touchdown on a 6-yard pass reception in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) catches a 10-yard touchdown pass against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Fasano (80) celebrates with teammates after catching a 9-yard touchdown pass against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
