Vrabel fearful fumbles will become a problem

Titans have lost just one of eight through the first four games

Mike Vrabel believes that – given the chance – things will balance out over the course of the season. He would rather not provide the opportunity.

In each of their last two games the Tennessee Titans have fumbled three times. The second was Sunday’s 24-10 victory over Atlanta when quarterback Marcus Mariota, tight end Delanie Walker and Derrick Henry all put the ball on the ground. None of the three resulted in a turnover.

“That’s not always going to be the case,” Vrabel said Monday. “The ball’s not round. It doesn’t bounce the same every time. Right now it’s bouncing our way when we do fumble it. So we have to do a better job of taking care of it.”

Through four games, the Titans are tied for fifth in the NFL with eight fumbles. Only one was recovered by the opposing team and that one – Adoreé Jackson’s muffed punt early in Week 3 at Jacksonville – was a critical moment in that contest.

It is even better than a year ago, Vrabel’s first season as a head coach, when Tennessee lost just six fumbles, tied for fourth fewest in the NFL, but committed 18 of them. With him in charge, therefore, the Titans have lost just seven of 26 fumbles (26.9 percent).

Mariota has committed a team-high three this season. Henry has coughed it up twice and Walker, Jackson and Corey Davis all have lost the handle on it once.

“Too many times,” Vrabel said. “We have to take care of the football. Whether they go out of bounds or we get them back, they’re still fumbles.”

Other notable moments from Vrabel’s Monday press conference:

• Given a similar situation in the future, Vrabel said he likely would attempt a field goal that would push the lead to 17 points rather than go for it on fourth-and-1 from the 10.

“I think that, given the opportunity, that probably the proper decision … is to go up three scores,” he said. “That’s how it goes. You make a decision that’s decisive. I always think we’re going to get it when we go for it.

“If I get the chance to do it again, like everybody else, just do better and go up three scores. I just want to try to put the game away.”

• On left tackle Taylor Lewan, who reported to the team’s training facility Monday following the completion of his four-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances: “He demanded a hug. It was a quick one. But we’re back in business and he’s back, ready to help the team and we have to get him ready to play.”

• On punter Brett Kern, whose five punts against the Falcons all ended up inside Atlanta’s 20-yard line (four from the 10 or in): “We got an amazing performance, an All-Pro performance from Brett. … It continues to be a weapon.”

Kern currently leads the NFL with 14 punts downed inside the 20. He has punted 25 times total, which means 56 percent of his kicks have given the opposition a long field.

• On this week’s opponent, the Buffalo Bills, who defeated the Titans 13-12 last season in Buffalo: “It’s going to be a heck of a challenge. This is a well-coached physical football team that isn’t afraid to slug it out with you.”