Mike Vrabel Makes Strange Comment About 'Exposing' Malik Willis to 2 Minute Drills

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans spent some time during Monday's practice on unscripted two-minute drills, simulated what it would look like during a game. Quarterback Malik Willis had some troubles during this drill and it led to a strange comment from head coach Mike Vrabel after practice.

The question Vrabel was asked to illicit the strange response is as important here as the answer. The question was asked by long-time beat reporter Paul Kuharsky.

Kuharsky: "When you scream 'Gotta Go, Malik' twice and he doesn't get a play off, when the play clock is dwindling, what's the disconnect there?"

Vrabel: "I don't think there is a disconnect, I think it is why you practice. It's early on in two minute, these situations are critical. We'll make the corrections and we'll explain it to him and make sure that everybody is seeing it through the same set of eyes and that we understand what the situation is. There is going to be some of that as we work through. Would we like every two-minute drive to go down there and kick a 30-yarder, sure. We would, but sometimes that doesn't happen. The more you expose him(Willis) to these situations that aren't scripted, those are great opportunities to learn and if we don't come back and get it the next time then we'll have to figure out why. But now, it is his first exposure to that situation. I'm sure it will be much better the next time."

Vrabel called Monday's unscripted two-minute drill Willis' "first exposure" to that situation. Again, a peculiar comment about a quarterback who is going into his second season and started three games last year.

As a matter of fact, in Willis' last start of the year in Week 16 against the Houston Texans, the Titans got the ball down five with 1:10 left on the clock in the fourth quarter. The exact same time that was on the clock at Titans practice on Monday. Malik has literally been exposed to that situation in an actual NFL game.

Not even mentioning that the Titans got the ball twice needing a score to win in the final three minutes of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. Also, the Titans certainly did this drill in training camp or joint practices last season.

That's without bringing up the fact that Willis has played football most of his life including in college. While the play-calling process is different, surely Willis has had to play against a running clock with a need to score in a football game. This isn't completely foreign territory.

Now, worth noting that Willis did hit a big pass during this drill to Chris Moore and got the team in position to kick a 53-yard field goal, but not without a penalty and some serious time lost that required Vrabel to implore Willis to speed up.

- False Start.
- Complete quick pass to Kinsey. Gets out of bounds with 12 seconds.
- Incomplete for McMath deep
- Bad pass for Roberson

53-yard field goal from Shudak is SHORT.
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 7, 2023

We are left to wonder then what Vrabel could truly mean with his comments. The most logical answer would be that he meant with this new offense. Tim Kelly's promotion to offensive coordinator has brought a brand-new approach to the offense with a new playbook and new terminology all together.

Though, that would mean it is all of the quarterbacks and, frankly, all of the players that are in the same boat with a new offense. Yes, some of those players are veterans, but Will Levis, Willis' direct competition, is a rookie. He is the one truly being exposed to this situation for the first time in the NFL.

Why didn't Vrabel include Levis in that? Did Levis not struggle as much with the timing of the drive and the general operation?

Again, we are left to wonder, but if you consider some of the struggles Willis had last season with some of the operational aspects of the offense — getting huddled, calling the plays, getting the offense lined up in time — then maybe Monday's practice wasn't a major shock.

Willis has been praised for his improvement from last year, but until we get to see him in game action this weekend, it is hard to know where those improvements will show the most. You can have all the talent in the world, but that is only half of the battle when running an NFL offense. Has Willis improved enough in both areas?

That remains to be seen and makes Saturday night that much more exciting. Until then though, it is fair to raise an eyebrow at Vrabel's comments and the situation in general. We will see soon if it will have an impact on the games.

Titans Training Camp Stories

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