Mike Vrabel's philosophy on sticking with the game plan

PHOENIX – Not long ago the Titans had an offensive coordinator in Terry Robiskie who inarguably was over-committed to sticking with the game plan. He spoke of calling the same unsuccessful run over and over because he was sure it would eventually break.ArizonaBiltmore

Wednesday at the NFL Annual Meeting, Mike Vrabel talked about seeing a game plan through in a different way, and I found it perhaps the most interesting thing we discussed in his hour session with the media over breakfast.

It came up not long after Bill Belichick walked by and said hello on the way to his table as things kicked off from all 32 coaches and it spun off of a question about the skill of a quarterback avoiding injury that produced the post before this one.

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YAZOO PODCAST: Titans' views from Peter King, Chris Simms and Albert Breer

PHEONIX  -- The front of the Arizona Biltmore is very long, with the media area at one end, the conference center where the big meetings were held in the middle and the hotel at the other end, with the bar, restaurants and some nice outdoor space where people hung out during free time. 

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I made that walk, like a lot of media, a number of times during the NFL owners' meetings, as it's where you maximize your chances to run into coaches, executives and media friends.

And a few times I came across colleagues in the national media who I respect and who were willing to share a few minutes.

While I am not always giant on national perspective on local events, I know you like hear it. So I gathered thoughts on what the Titans have done since the new league year started. This week's podcast features my chats with Peter King of NBC Sports, Chris Simms of Pro Football Talk and Albert Breer of Monday Morning Quarterback/ Sports Illustrated.

You can find the history of this site's podcasts right here.

You can find Part 1 on iTunes, here, or directly through the Vokal website, here. Feel free to hook us up with a rating and review on iTunes.

If you're a member of the site, Part 1 and Part 2 are together, and all you have to do is head below the line.

You can find the history of this site's podcasts right here.

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PHOENIX -- The Tennessee Titans are about to play their 21st season in what's now Nissan Stadium and they are not thinking about a replacement for the building that's been their home field since 1999.

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Amy Adams Strunk said at the NFL owners' meetings that she'd not thinking about the end of the team's 30-year lease and that the team continues to focus on improving the venue, which she knows has some issues.

Here's what she told me about her stadium stance when we chatted at the Arizona Biltmore just before the conclusion of the meetings on Thursday.

It's unlocked.

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PHOENIX -- Amy Adams Stunk said during a break before a final vote on rule changes at Tuesday's session of the NFL Annual Meeting that she thinks the Titans have their franchise quarterback.IMG 0338

She expects a healthier Marcus Mariota, surrounded by some better players, to prove it in 2019.

But that doesn't mean the team will be talking with the No. 2 pick from the 2015 draft about a second contract before his fifth season. [Unlocked]

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Can Titans help Marcus Mariota become more skilled at avoiding injury?

PHOENIX – Rodger Saffold and a new, to be determined right guard, will help. As will Adam Humphries, a reliable, underneath target.

But beyond other guys on offense, in a giant year for Marcus Mariota, he needs to find ways to stay healthier to be productive for the Titans and to put himself in position to earn a new contract. MariotaGettingSacked1Jets

After chronicling Mariota's 2018 injuries, I asked Mike Vrabel and a few other coaches at the NFL Annual Meeting if there is a skill to staying healthy as an NFL quarterback.

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PHOENIX, Ariz.  – Marcus Mariota’s 2018 injury list was even worse than we thought, I’ve learned.

The ulnar nerve issue in his throwing arm that started when he got stepped on opening day in Miami and left him with a tingly hand was the first big one. He missed two starts with that, though he played in the second one.MariotaDazeIndy

The neck stinger suffered in Indianapolis on Nov. 18 and then reaggravated in Week 16 in Washington that cost him the crucial Week 17 game against the Colts was the second.

He also suffered a cracked vertebra, presumably with the initial stinger. [Unlocked]

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Jon Robinson expects draft, health to influence decision on Jack Conklin's option

PHOENIX – The Titans are a long way off from making a decision on Jack Conklin’s fifth-year option.

The Titans have until May 3 to tell Conklin if it will pay him a $12.866 million base salary in 2020, which would amount to a $10.249 million raise.ConklinJaguars

At the NFL Annual Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore, Jon Robinson said variables that will factor into it are still unknown.

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Scout's Take: OLB options who will be better than what the Titans already have

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special contributor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans are looking to replace two well-respected and longtime veterans and leaders in the linebacker room.  Pro Bowl outside linebacker Brian Orakpo retired after the 2018 season and consistent OLB and former first-round draft choice Derrick Morgan is a free agent.

Both players were largely ineffective as pass rushers in 2018, but still provided the ability to be a force in the run game and demand the respect and attention from offensive blocking schemes. The veteran presence allowed the inside linebackers to create pressure and provide sack numbers.CameronWakePortrait

The team now will be relying heavily on 2018 second-round draft choice Harold Landry, who showed flashes during his rookie year.  Landry came into the league with one very successful pass rush. His outside speed rush with excellent balance and bend around the edge proved to have success early in the season, but opponents advance scouting caught up to the young pass rusher and was largely ineffective for the remainder of the year.

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