CLEVELAND – When the Titans lose, especially decisively, Mike Vrabel leans on a standard line.

It’s an obvious and true element of a quick evaluation that carries a hint of the coach Vrabel played the majority of his 14-year career for, Bill Belichick. His team, he says, has to coach better and has to play better.

Sunday, shortly after a hard-to-watch 27-3 loss at Cleveland Browns Stadium, he hit it again.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) gets sacked at the end of the first half in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
  Ryan Tannehill deals with one of five sacks/ © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

“In every phase, you can start it with me and go all the way down,” he said. “Whether it’s coaching. Whether it’s our pass rush, their pass rush, their O-line, their ability to hit some plays down the field, penalties, every category. It’s going to be the same thing for each one. It’s important for us to stick together. You play like that in this league, you coach like that in this league, you get your ass beat, plain and simple. It’s disappointing. But it’s what happens when you perform and you coach like that.”

I asked if that common theme continues to resonate with his players and coaches.

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