NASHVILLE – Titans head coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Sunday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, one day after his team's 26-23 preseason win over the Cardinals.
Here's a look at the hot topics from today's presser:
Upcoming cuts
All NFL teams must be down to 53 players by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, and after that teams can begin building a practice squad.
The Titans currently have 80 players.
"I would say it is never easy," Vrabel said of the upcoming decisions. "We put a lot of time in together, so I would never say that it is easy to have to move on from a player or anybody. I think we demand a lot of them, and I think they give us a lot. So, we'll treat everybody with respect, and we understand that they all can't be here."
Vrabel said he expects the process will be "pretty fluid."
"There will be guys that we potentially claim from somewhere else," Vrabel said, "and then we'll put a practice squad together."
Vrabel mentioned the possibility of the team dividing roster cuts between Monday and Tuesday.
Upcoming Practice Schedule
With so much movement, Vrabel said the team plans to stay as flexible as possible with the practice schedule as the team now begins to set its sights on the regular season opener.
The Titans face the Giants on September 11 at Nissan Stadium.
The Titans plan to practice on Monday through Thursday of this week before players get next weekend off.
"And then we'll get ready to buckle up and go on this ride," Vrabel said.
Back-Up QB Job
Vrabel was asked if he's seen enough to make a decision on the team's back-up QB job behind starter Ryan Tannehill.
Malik Willis started all three preseason contests, and he got better each time out. Logan Woodside played more sparingly, but he did guide a game-winning touchdown drive on Saturday night.
"I think we'll get to the roster probably later in the week," Vrabel said. "But I appreciate the quarterback play that we got from both guys last night. Malik did some things that were really encouraging, that we had talked about – his ability to step up on the pocket, kept his eyes downfield at times, also was able to have some explosive games running, which is exactly what we talked about. The operation was better. But then there's some things we'll have to improve.
"We had two two-minute drives that we scored on, one with Malik and then Logan came in and had a great drive and did a nice job helping us score a touchdown there late."
Burks Had "Good Play Speed"
Rookie receiver Treylon Burks caught three passes for 33 yards on Saturday night, including a 14-yard touchdown catch.
Vrabel said what Burks did in the game was good for coaches to see heading into the regular season.
"Him having some good play speed," Vrabel said of Burks, "and his willingness to block when he was in there and do his job. Those are all positive things."
Radunz Talk
As of now, it looks like Nicholas Petit-Frere has won the starting right tackle job for the Titans.
On Saturday night, the player he competed with during most of camp – Dillon Radunz – started at left guard.
"I thought he did some good things in there," Vrabel said of Radunz. "It wasn't perfect, but there were some good blocks. We had a couple of holding penalties, and he was one of them. … I think all and all he was into it. There will be some corrections that has to be made, but I thought he did a nice job."
Ugo Looked Comfortable
Defensive back Ugo Amadi played 37 snaps on defense and 11 more on special teams on Saturday night after just joining the team a few days earlier via trade.
Vrabel said it was easy to tell Amadi had played nickel in the past.
"They kind of having a particular skill set," Vrabel said. "He blitzed and batted – had a good ball disruption. I thought he tackled, and I thought he tried to come in and support (in the run game), had some nice things in coverage. And then there was some separation at times in man coverage when the route got to the other side, which sometimes happened.
"But for just getting here, he was into it and had some good gunner reps. He did a nice job."
Praise for LB Joe Jones
Vrabel was quick to praise linebacker Joe Jones, who made a great hustle play late in the game when he ran down a Cardinals player racing toward the end zone.
A week earlier, Jones intercepted a pass against the Buccaneers.
Vrabel had more good things to say about Jones on Sunday.
"He has been out there every day," Vrabel said of Jones, who was credited with six tackles against the Cardinals. "He's been a leader on special teams. He has tried to improve at linebacker. I think his leadership to some of the younger guys on special teams has been really good to see. He's played a lot of special teams in his career. … What was asked of him on special teams he did a good job, and obviously he hustle play that showed up on defense."
Injury Tidbits
Guard Nate Davis and Jamarco Jones didn't play on Saturday night after missing practices leading up the game.
Both players have been missed a good chunk of practice time recently.
But Vrabel indicated he expects them back soon.
"Hopefully we can get Nate back working this week, and Jamarco back working," Vrabel said.
