NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Vrabel didn’t have the Titans name him defensive coordinator in the press release that came out Thursday afternoon.
But no one else was given the title, either.
For some reason, Vrabel and the team didn’t see fit to offer any clarification, which doesn't seem particularly fair to a fan base worried after the loss of Dean Pees.
And so the presumption, until we hear from him, is that he is the de facto coordinator and that he will be calling the plays. I hardly expect a straightforward answer when given a chance to ask the question.
A strong lead voice with trickle-down effect and spread out power is presumptively what happened in New England in 2019 where there was no defensive coordinator.
It's not a job with the same intricacies as offensive coordinator, as there are only so many coverages, fronts and blitzes to be called. Two others who figure to he heavily involved are new inside linebackers coach Jim Haslett, whose relationship with Vrabel's goes back to the head coach's playing days in Pittsburgh, and Shane Bowen, who appeared the favorite for an in-house promotion.
Any added work can stretch a head coach thin.
Vrabel proved a great deal about himself in his second year, when he took his team to the AFC Championship Game in his second season.
Now while working as CEO and running the defense, his job will be different, at least to a degree.
And if he’s in charge of overseeing installation, he won’t be able to roam as he has during a regular day of meetings. I would think he’d still love to do that and would organize things in a way where he can.
Only a handful of defensive head coaches also work as play-callers.
Mike Zimmer has called plays during his entire tenure in Minnesota.
Vic Fangio called plays in Denver as a rookie head coach last year.
Matt Patricia was the primary play-caller on defense for Detroit last year and even with new defensive coordinator Cory Undlin on board the expectation is that Patricia will continue.
Dan Quinn gave up play-calling duties in Atlanta mid-way through last year.
Sean McDermott in Buffalo and Brian Flores in Miami do not call plays.
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