ORLANDO – Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk found a head coach she thinks is a perfect fit in Mike Vrabel.
"You kind of had that same feel in the interview process with Mike that we had with Jon," said Strunk, referring to Titans GM Jon Robinson. "You saw someone that could lead players, which is important. You saw a guy who was a player for 14 years, and then went into coaching.
"And he's a no nonsense guy, and I really appreciate that. Mike is demanding, which is good. But he is demanding on himself, too. I think players are really going to relate to him. They are going to love playing for him. I could see him leading this team for a lot of years."
Strunk, speaking from the NFL owners meetings, said she's also excited about the team's recent additions in free agency.
Earlier this month, the Titans signed a pair of former Patriots – running back Dion Lewis and cornerback Malcolm Butler – while also adding former Buccaneers offensive lineman Kevin Pamphile. On Tuesday morning, the team annouced it had agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
"I think they are great," Strunk said of the additions. " I talked to Dion and Malcolm, and they are so excited to become Titans. It has a good feel, and we are adding some players who are going to make us better. You know Jon is not done, and even Kevin Pamphile -- that is a good addition. He'll be able to fill in a lot of different places on the line."
In the last eight games of the 2017 season, Lewis led the NFL in rushing yards (625), with an average of 5.12 yards per carry. Compared to all backs with 150 or more rushing attempts, his per-carry average of 4.98 yards led the NFL in 2017.
The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Lewis racked up 141 all-purpose yards against the Titans in last year's playoffs -- 62 rushing yards on 15 carries, and he also caught nine passes for 79 yards.
"Oh my goodness," Strunk said. "Look at what he did to us in the playoffs. Ouch. We laughed about that when we talked on the phone. He seems like our kind of guy. What a duo that is going to be with Derrick (Henry) and Dion."
Strunk said she's already looking forward to the 2018 season.
In 2017, the Titans won their first playoff game in 14 years – winning at Kansas City – before losing to the New England Patriots.
"We are all working towards that trophy, but there's 31 other teams trying to take it, too," Strunk said. "We just want to keep building. I want to see us continue to improve."
Nearly 8,000 Titans season ticket members turned out for the team's annual ticket holders event at Gaylord Opryland Hotel. (Photos: Donn Jones, Gary Glenn)
