Coach Speak Translator

Many times in sports we get coach speak from interviews. I’m here with my handy coach-decoder to tell you want Mike Vrabel really meant with his answers. Please make sure to check out Shaun Calderon’s article on the full press conference.

What prompted Coach Vrabel to tweet at NFL officials last night?

Vrabel: “it was just my opportunity to sit there and be a fan and watch and I felt like it was a good opportunity to remind everyone the rules of the process of a catch. That’s all that was. I have that on my phone that’s on my Home Screen, the rule book, so I took a screenshot and figured out how to tweet it out so everybody that followed could understand what the process of a catch was and what it isnt.”

Translation: “I’m tired of being hosed by these idiots, so I thought it was a great opportunity to show the world how inconsistent they are.”

How significant is it to consider Ryan Tannehill’s surroundings when trying to evaluate his play?

Vrabel: “it’s a complete thing, it’s a whole package. But we all have a Job whether it’s mine (head coach), the coordinators, the position coaches, to get guys ready to play to find ways to win football games. As the quarterback that has to be the same thing.

Vrabel also said: “the time for evaluation is not now, but it’s the time for teaching and trying to improve as we work our way here into December is probably what the most important thing is.”

Translation: “If you’re in a Formula 1 race and have the best driver in the world, it won’t matter much if he’s driving a 1997 Honda Civic.”

How can the Titans get Anthony Firkser more involved in the red zone like they had initially talked about last offseason

Vrabel: “I don’t necessarily know that it’s (the offense) featuring any one person. It’s about being efficient and scoring touchdowns when we’re down there… If Anthony is down there and he’s open, I’m confident that Ryan (Tannehill) will throw him the ball just like if anybody else is open or whoever we hand it off to. That’s the most important thing it’s not about one guy.” 

Translation: “Once Anthony shows he can catch, run or block in a game, he’ll play.”

How important is Bud Dupree to those stunts and twists?

Vrabel: “Well everybody is important. Everybody is important, those are about guys working together whether that’s on the defensive front, a guy working with somebody else, a guy doing their job to help somebody else get free or get themselves free.”

Translation: “Yeah, it’s better when your best players play.”

How hopeful is the team that by shutting Julio Jones down for a few weeks, that will help break the cycle of him being in and out of the lineup?

Vrabel: “we’re just focused on today and seeing how he responds.”

Translation: “I beat him up pretty good in the last fight club, so we gave him a few weeks off to recover.”

Golden Tate update

Vrabel: “Golden continues to work with Rob (Moore) on his conditioning and we’ll see where his level of understanding of the offense is. He’s been a great pro, he’s been engaged and locked in at every meeting that I’ve had and I’ve enjoyed getting to know him and getting to work with him and watching him.”

Translation: “This guy was sitting at home for 11 weeks, so let’s not get crazy with expectations. We’re trying to get him up to speed so he can start working the concession stands to backfill Radunz when he gets promoted to head of security.”

Author: Robert GreenlawBorn and raised west of the Mighty Mississippi, a 2nd-grade project on the state of Tennessee introduced Robert to Steve McNair and Eddie George, turning him into a Titans fan for life. Robert was best known for being the Music City Miracles "links guy" for the better part of a decade. He loves all things sports and can be found on The Flex fantasy football podcast, part of Broadway Sports Media.

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