Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel enters his first bye week with plenty to think about.
His team rests at a somewhat disappointing 3-4 start. It’s very disappointing when one considers the excitement following a 3-1 start that peaked with a signature victory against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Who would’ve predicted three straight losses? Only pessimists and haters.
I’m not calling for pitchforks. No pink slips desired. Vrabel’s first seven games as a head coach have showcased good and bad. Everyone expected that. He’s a defensive specialist whose defense has played very well. Critics were harsh after Tennessee’s defense allowed 21 points to the Baltimore Ravens. In today’s NFL, if a team’s worst defensive effort after seven games includes 21 points allowed, then no complaints from me.
My point with this piece involves two questions. One of them concerns whether a coaching change was the best course of action for 2018. The other is whether it’s the best course of action for Marcus Mariota’s development and the offense’s future output.
QUESTION 1: Was it the correct decision to hire an inexperienced coaching staff to lead a team coming off a divisional playoff game appearance?
General manager Jon Robinson sought a head coach who was supposed to catapult Tennessee from a borderline playoff team who’d reasonably compete against lesser playoff opponents to a legitimate championship contender who could dethrone the New England Patriots from AFC supremacy. Former head coach Mike Mularkey was instrumental with coaching this team from the cellar to consecutive winning seasons. Management didn’t believe that his style netted anything more than mediocrity. They felt he was a placeholder. Change was needed.
Enter Mike Vrabel. Vrabel has a historic player legacy. His coaching legacy is rather shallow. His only season as anything more than a positional coach came during his 2017 promotion to Houston Texans defensive coordinator. That defense allowed more points than any other team (436 points). Vrabel hired former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur to become Tennessee’s offensive coordinator. LaFleur accepted a lateral move because it offered him the additional responsibility to call plays.
A brand new head coach with a brand new play-caller. Years down the road, this may provide a nice pay off. After seven weeks, we’ve witnessed both men are learning much about their new responsibilities. There’s a growing process. And that process may come at the expense of what a familiar or experienced coaching staff would’ve brought this season.
QUESTION 2: Was it the correct decision to hire a defensive minded head coach on a team hoping to develop Marcus Mariota into a franchise quarterback?
Anyone who has listened to a Mike Vrabel press conference understands that he doesn’t shy away from expressing his lack of knowledge about quarterbacks. Vrabel created his legacy as a linebacker and defensive coach. He must surround himself with a brain trust that develop positions, primarily quarterback.
Mariota supporters have expressed concerns about constantly adapting to new schemes. Has it delayed his growth? He may need to get used to it. A successful LaFleur would eventually accept a coaching gig elsewhere. Then it’s a replacement via promotion or outside hire.
Think about Drew Brees and Sean Payton. Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. Notice how Matt Ryan went from MVP to afterthought after Kyle Shanahan left? Some quarterbacks and coaches have irreplaceable relationships. Years of working together has given them a certain flow with one another.
It’s fair to say that, after seven games, Vrabel’s top priority is to reverse a trend of Mariota’s lack of progression that has haunted him since 2017. Is he the man who can get that done? Can he find someone who can?
Vrabel’s success will hinge on whether he surrounds himself with savvy offensive minds. The earliest results haven’t been pretty. Excluding some fourth quarters and overtime, nobody on this offense has played well.
What’s Next?
Good news: this division doesn’t feature a front-runner. Four of Tennessee’s nine remaining contests are against divisional foes. They must pad that 2-0 record.
November awaits. Everyone will learn a lot about Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff. Upcoming matchups include at Dallas Cowboys, vs New England Patriots, at Indianapolis Colts, and at Houston Texans. At least three of those games feature underdog roles. As many fans know, the Colts are always pesky.
Cries for respect have turned into a week for a gut check. Can this team bounce back to hold off a bad Colts team, a fading Jacksonville Jaguars team, and surge past a streaking Texans team who leads the AFC South with a 4-3 record?
CHECK OUT SOME OF MY RECENT FAVORITES
Colin Kaepernick Ad is a Brilliant Move from Nike, Inc
Antonio Brown Has Already Proven Elite Status Without Ben Roethlisberger
Le’Veon Bell Holdout: No Pay, No Play until Week 11 is the Right Attitude
President Trump, Fans (and I) Should Express Acceptance Toward NFL Kneeling Protests
Joshua Huffman was born and edumacated in Middle Tennessee. He has published content for Yahoo! Sports (via Contributor Network) and Titan Sized, among other venues. At SoBros, he’ll provide Daily Fantasy Sports suggestions and broad sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter.
