– Vrabel was asked if the team would be open to the possibility of drafting a QB in this year’s draft: “I’m going to say this for every player: I’m open to adding great players to our roster, whether whether it’s at quarterback or running back, it’s on the defensive line, in the corner. I think we have needs and holes. I asked (the scouts) to look for players who have an element of speed, violence and versatility. … Look for offensive linemen who can protect the quarterback, whether it’s Ryan (Tannehill), whether it’s Malik (Willis), whether it’s Josh Dobbs, whatever It doesn’t matter who that might be. These are things we need to do a better job at.
-Vrabel said he has a good, open relationship with left tackle Taylor Lewan, who was released earlier this month. Vrabel said the dialogue will remain open about Lewan and whether he could return at some point. For now, Lewan is focusing on his health. “I wish him the best,” Vrabel said of Lewan. “Like I told him: We’ll see where you’re at (later) and if you still want to play. If that seems like the case, we could always come back to that. But those aren’t conversations we’re having, n ‘isn’t it? now.”
-Vrabel said linebacker David Long Jr., who is expected to become a free agent next month, has meant a lot to the team “and I know we’ll have conversations with him about returning to our football team. “
-Vrabel said the starting spots on the offensive line are wide open, “and I know we’re going to find guys that show the way we want to play within the rules and they finish and they enjoy staying between their man and the quarterback and they finish longer than the guy with the ball. (They have) a level of durability, they can stay upright, and they can learn and understand what we need to do, and there’s some instinct there .
-Vrabel said assistant Luke Steckel, who moved from tights coach to game analyst earlier this offseason, has accepted a job with the Chicago Bears. Vrabel said he would begin the process of finding his replacement. Earlier, Titans assistant special teams coach Chase Blackburn accepted a special teams coordinator position with the Rams. Vrabel said new running backs coach Justin Outten would be a good addition to the staff, while also being excited about his ability to communicate with players. “Good football coach, good teacher,” Vrabel said of Outten, who previously served as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator. “He turned down other opportunities and I’m glad (to have him).”
-The Titans added “assistant head coach” to the title of assistant Terrell Williams, the team’s defensive line coach. “He’s very valuable,” Vrabel said. “You know how I feel about Terrell and what he’s meant to our program since I’ve been here, the consistency on and off the football field, the relationship and bond he’s built with every lineman defensively. … He’s a valuable member of our staff and we’re lucky to have him.”
