Why Mike Vrabel wants Tennessee Titans rookies to relax in minicamp, not 'take on the world'
The Tennessee Titans are really leaning into the camp feel of their rookie minicamp.
The Titans opened up minicamp practices to the media Saturday, providing the first glimpse into how their six 2023 NFL Draft picks, 14 undrafted free agents and 21 tryout invitees are developing as pros. Titans coach Mike Vrabel knows the value of these sessions goes beyond X's and O's or schematic installation, though.
As much as he wants to see players live up to their potential in their first practices as Titans, he wants more to see these players get more comfortable with their new responsibilities and statuses.
GAME BY GAME PREDICTIONS: Tennessee Titans schedule 2023 predictions: Our game-by-game picks are in
BIG MACS AND BORAT: To understand how Will Levis' draft slide could jettison him to Titans stardom, start in high school
"Thursday night there were some faces that they looked like they were going to take on the world," Vrabel says. "I said ‘Guys, we need to all take a deep breath and we need to relax. We need to tell some jokes and we need to get to know each other.’"
In response to the stiffness he sensed in the room, Vrabel broke the rookies up into position groups. He gave the groups time to tell some get-to-know-each-other stories and then had the players introduce their teammates and position coaches to the rest of the team.
Some players loosened up more than others. Vrabel remembers first-round pick Peter Skoronski telling a story about falling down as a kid and having to ride in a fire truck. He says the kickers and punters did the best jobs of getting to know each other, joking it's easier for specialists to learn fun facts since they don't have playbooks to memorize.
Vrabel said the players have good jokes, but they need to work on their deliveries. Some are a little too nervous. When the veterans arrive in the coming weeks and make the rookies introduce themselves by telling the room how much money they're making, those nerves won't fly.
"They have to tell a joke (to the veterans), so we have them practice in front of the rookies because when the vets get here that’s all stuff they’re going to have to do," Vrabel said.
Six rookie minicamps into his Titans' tenure, Vrabel says he's gotten better about keeping perspective with his younger players. He said he woke up Saturday knowing that a few linemen were going to run the wrong way and a few receivers would run the wrong routes and a couple snaps would be fumbled and passes would be dropped. But he said he feels consolation knowing that's happening at the other 31 rookie minicamps too.
Every player from Skoronski to quarterback Will Levis to tight end Josh Whyle said Vrabel and the rest of the coaches have spent the week emphasizing relationships. Learning the playbook and mastering the on-field operations are musts. But mistakes are going to happen in those areas. It's natural.
When that happens, Vrabel just goes back into coach mode.
"I try to be as honest with them as I possibly can and I try to tell them exactly what they’re going to need to do to help their situation, which will help the team and will help everybody involved," Vrabel said. "I think I’ve gotten feedback that’s been positive in the five years I’ve been here. I’m trying to be honest with them, trying to be direct with them, not B.S. them. But then also find the time to let loose and not take myself too seriously. If they want to give me crap, they can give me crap. That’s what this thing’s all about."
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mike Vrabel wants Tennessee Titans rookies to relax in minicamp
