The Tennessee Titans wasted no time getting their offseason began they usually’ve already begun to wash home by parting methods with head coach Mike Vrabel. We already knew the group was leaning towards a rebuild with Derrick Henry’s future up within the air seemingly all season. However saying goodbye to Vrabel so abruptly just about seals Henry’s destiny and indicators the Titans stepping into a totally totally different route.
You received’t discover too many individuals who suppose Tennessee made the proper transfer in firing Vrabel. For Vrabel’s a part of the equation, he’ll doubtless have a brand new gig lined up earlier than the Tremendous Bowl. Whether or not Vrabel’s subsequent vacation spot is New England or elsewhere, he received’t be unemployed for lengthy. The place the Titans are involved this implies they’re beginning over. There’s no different strategy to view this particularly once you account for the doubtless departure of Henry this offseason. No Vrabel, no Henry, and the group simply drafted one other rookie quarterback final spring.
From the surface wanting in, it sounds just like the group needs a brand new id. To get away from the defensive-minded, ground-and-pound philosophy though Tennessee was profitable throughout Vrabel’s six years in cost. The Titans received a minimum of 9 video games in every of Vrabel’s first 4 years on the job. They made it to the AFC title recreation in his second season as a nine-win wild card group.
Throughout former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher’s reign — relationship again to the Houston Oilers days — the group by no means put collectively greater than two successful seasons in a row. Fisher was allowed to float and languish in mediocrity for a lot too lengthy. Certain, Tennessee hasn’t been good the previous two years however when your QB state of affairs is up and down it’s onerous to get every little thing else on monitor. Somewhat shuffling and Vrabel doubtless would’ve been capable of get that ship headed again in the proper route.
Right here’s a enjoyable truth. Three of the Titans’ final 4 coaches (since 2011) have been named Mike. Vrabel, Mike Mularkey, and Mike Munchak. Whoever Tennessee brings on this time, whether or not it’s one other Mike or not, will in all probability be an offensive-minded coach. We all know how this works when a company needs to make huge adjustments, they often go from one finish (or excessive) to the opposite. They’d be loopy in the event that they didn’t a minimum of attain out and discuss with Jim Harbaugh, particularly after Michigan’s Nationwide Championship victory. Regardless of the probabilities of him taking the job in case you’re Tennessee you’ve received to make a pitch.
Tennessee’s normal supervisor Ran Carthon can’t miss on this rent. Whereas the notion of transferring on from Vrabel now could be considerably puzzling, eager to get a extra offensive-focused mindset within the constructing to work along with your younger franchise QB is comprehensible. A coordinator like Ben Johnson in Detroit goes to be a sizzling commodity on the offensive facet. Whoever Tennessee lands on they’ve received to hit out of the ballpark to justify Vrabel’s dismissal.
