So far this week, Mike Vrabel has said all the right things about this return to Nashville, to take on his former team, the Titans.
"There is going to be, probably, a lot to be said about this," Vrabel said on Monday. "I think it would file under the category of, is it interesting or important? I would probably say this would be very interesting. But in the end, not very important to our preparation or what we need to continue to try to do to improve as a team. But having spent six years there or seven years there, I think it'll be nice to see some people that I haven't seen in a few years that helped us win, players and staff. But we've got a huge job here to do as we prepare for them."
On Wednesday, Vrabel was asked more about it. Didn't bite again.
"Yeah, we're not trying to win one for the Gipper here," he said. "We're just trying to make sure that these guys are focused on improving, and I think that they are. I think they're locked in. And hopefully we can get them as prepared as we possibly can between now and Sunday."
It seems like that is the message Vrabel is delivering — or not delivering — to the players behind the scenes as well, because Drake Maye seemed as in lockstep with his head coach as they have been on the field during their three-game winning streak.
"He’s focused on this team and not worried about going back to a place he coached for a long time and had some great success," Maye said. "So, he's not treating it like a big deal, so it's kind of bleeding into us. We're treating it like another week, another opponent, and treating it the same. The way he's handling it is the right way."
Garrett Bradbury, who has been around the block as a seven-year vet, and recently had his own return to a place where he was also basically fired, hit a little closer to the bone with a realistic take on the situation.
"There's probably a little bit about Coach Vrabel that's fired up for it, but ... we'll worry about [it] later," he said. "When we start making things bigger than what they are or focusing down the road; we have to live in the moment.
"It doesn't matter what you did yesterday, you have to have a good today. That's kind of the message Coach Vrabel shares. We have a lot of guys, former Tennessee people in this building, so there will be a little extra for them. But as players we have to show up and execute."
If you think this is just another game, that this is some regular road game for the Patriots, like New Orleans last week, then I have prime Florida waterfront property I'd like to sell you.
This is the list of former Titans with the Patriots, from the team's media notes for the week:
The Patriots were missing personnel executives Ryan Cowden and AJ Highsmith from their list. Landry's really the only player with a possible (or probable) chip on his shoulder going back to Nissan Stadium.
Everyone's right. This isn't about Vrabel. This is about Vrabel and his guys, who got tossed out of Nashville, and their lives went into turmoil. All because owner Amy Adams Strunk had her feelings hurt over Vrabel's words at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and how Vrabel didn't quickly make amends for them. Just another in a long line of terrible and misguided decisions from the reactionary Adams, who has quickly joined Dave Tepper, Jimmy Haslam and Woody Johnson as the worst owners in the league that have no idea how to run a football team.
The former Titans coaches and executives might not say much this week — although I'm willing to bet Landy will — but they won't have to.
Not only will the players want to have Vrabel's back, but the safeties will for Booker, the backs for Dews, the defense for Williams and Kuhr, the receivers for Downing, all of them for their strength coach, the offensive line for Houghtaling, the defensive line for McMillan, the corners for Hamilton, and the special teamers for Quinn.
If those coaches have any connection with their positional coaches — and I'll be willing to bet they do with the way Vrabel coaches his coaches — then those players are going to bust their butts against the Titans, to show the coaches they have their backs.
When the Patriots walk off the field victorious on Sunday — and they will win — you're going to see an outpouring of support for the coaches with hugs, chest bumps, and back slaps. After the game, the players will be free to express that, "Hell yeah, we were playing for them." And we'll all write stories about how this shows how unified the Patriots are so early in Vrabel's tenure. Which could very well be true.
Just don't believe this is just interesting, and not very important. It is to the fired. It will be for Vrabel, Streicher and Cowden when they share a private moment at some point, maybe with a beverage.
They got fired. The Patriots can make the Titans and Adams look like even more of a mess and poor in front of their home fans. And the Patriots get a chance to move to 5-2, win their fourth-straight game, and third-straight on the road.
Oh, that's all very important. To a lot of them.
A look at the matchup, including what worries me about the Titans, where the Patriots can take advantage, video analysis, top matchups, and my game pick:
What worries me about the Titans
- Not much, especially on offense, but...
- What the Titans are going to look like on offense? They were, without question, a complete mess on offense, and that got Brian Callahan fired. Just all over the place with poor structure and players who obviously didn't believe in anything they were doing. Is interim coach Mike McCoy going to be able to clean a lot of stuff up in a matter of days? I have a hard time seeing it. But they are now in the x-factor category, like a season opener — although the offensive coordinator, Nick Holz, is the same, as is the play-caller, Bo Hardegree.
- The running backs are good, and the line isn't bad at all. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are pretty dynamic and hurt the Patriots a bit last year in that rock fight. The offensive line is solid, and added LT Dan Moore (one of the Patriots' free-agent options I'm glad they passed on) and Kevin Zeitler (Lions). They love to put multiple tight ends on the field, and aren't afraid to run with three of them out there in 13 personnel. Of course, the Patriots can stop the interior run with the best of them.
- Cam Ward on the run. The first overall pick can move around and throws well on the run outside the pocket. Don't let him do it.
- I mostly worry about the Titans' defense, it's not bad. And they should get NT T'Vondre Sweat back this week. I wouldn't say they are great on the edge, but they have Jeffrey Simmons, they're good at linebacker, and the coverage in the secondary is sticky. This won't be a cakewalk for Maye and Co. The Titans play a lot of zone and are pretty good at it (10th YPD), and the Patriots are merely OK against zones. The Patriots kill man coverage and the blitz, the Titans don't much of either. The Titans have recorded 4 interceptions, and their defensive EPA (Expected Points Added) is +19.91, which is better than average.
- Jeffrey Simmons. He single-handedly wrecked the game last year because Alex Van Pelt let him. That will not be happening this year.
- Titans defense good against TEs and solid against WR2s and WR3s. We could be looking at another big Kayshon Boutte game, and wouldn't be surprised to see Kyle Williams get on the board. Could see some Henderson out of the backfield as well.
- That's about it.
Where the Patriots can take advantage
- They can press up on defense. WR Calvin Ridley is hurt, and they have basically nothing else on the outside. The TE is OK, but not a big threat. The Patriots should be able to drop a safety into the box all day long (Titans are 32nd against single-high safety) and are 31st against man coverage. The Patriots should be able to be very aggressive, as long they spy Ward.
- New England could actually run the ball ... maybe. The Titans are 27th in rush DVOA, and have allowed 4.5 yards per rushing attempt and 11 rushing touchdowns — holy cow, 11?! — so maybe this is the week! Maybe it's TreVeyon Henderson SZN!
Cam Ward throws like Uncle Rico. He has a very long release, like a slingshot, and his footwork is not good. He'll spray some balls and the Patriots can bat some down.
Titans are the worst in the league vs. WR1s. That's cornerback Jalyn Amour-Davis, a Ravens reject. Go get Boutte on your fantasy team, and place a bet for Kyle Williams to get his first touchdown.
Top matchups
DT Jeffrey Simmons vs. everyone. He lines up all over the place, and will cause headaches for the interior of the Patriots' line. But McDaniels will have a plan for him, unlike Van Pelt.
DE Harold Landry vs. RT JC Latham. Landry's coming back to take Latham's soul. He's pretty soft.
DT Christian Barmore vs. RG Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler has always been overrated, and this is his sixth team. Barmore has played perfect football for three games.
RB Tyjae Spears vs. Patriots linebackers. I have no idea why opponents don't throw more at Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.
SS Amani Hooker vs. TE Hunter Henry. Too good veteran players with plenty left to give. Can the Patriots get Hooker?
BEDARD'S GAME PICK
Season: 3-3 straight up, 4-2 spread.
Line: Patriots -7, 41.5 o/u
This is pretty simple for me. The Titans' offense is horrible, and I don't see that changing in a couple of days with Mike McCoy. The Patriots might shut them out, and I still don't want to hear about how much improved the Patriots' defense is. This game will tell me nothing on that front.
The Titans are pretty good on defense and will cause the Patriots to look clunky at times, but I see Drake Maye staying on his heater. For some reason, the Titans give up a lot of big plays, and they get less pressure than the Saints (who the Patriots' line made look like the old Dome Patrol). Patriots will hit a few with Boutte, Henderson and maybe even Kyle Williams.
I also can't see Mike Vrabel, who values his relationship with his players, embarrassing any of his guys (above), like Simmons, Hooker, Spears and Skoronski. So I think the Patriots make a statement with an emphatic victory, but call off the dogs at some point and win comfortably.
Patriots 24, Titans 6