Mike Vrabel wants his Tennessee Titans to start quicker now that the preseason is done.
The Titans coach is pleased with how one of his young quarterbacks recovered from a shaky start.
Malik Willis threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Titans to a 23-7 preseason win against the New England Patriots on Friday night.
“I liked the way he competed,” Vrabel said of Willis, who had two interceptions. “I really enjoyed it. And, you know, you’ve got to get rid of the errors.”
Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill began and handed off three times in his lone preseason play before donning a ballcap for the remainder of the night.
As New England (1-2) rested several of its stars, Bailey Zappe began as quarterback. The Patriots only had 79 yards of total offence.
“Obviously, we got a chance to look at a lot of guys here tonight,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Tennessee (2-1) had six sacks and a fumble recovery. The Titans’ starters were mostly on the field in the first quarter.
Willis strengthened his case to replace Tannehill this season when rookie Will Levis missed his second consecutive game with an injured left leg.
In the first quarter, the 86th selection in the 2022 draught struggled, going 1 of 5 for 22 yards. Late in the third quarter, he also fired a throw behind tight end Josh Whyle and off the rookie’s hands to Patriots defender Calvin Munson. Vrabel said that the throw was governed by protection.
Willis went off in the second quarter, completing all eight of his attempts for 115 yards and a 12-yard touchdown strike to Julius Chestnut just before halftime. This concluded a 90-yard drive that put the team up 13-7 at the half. Early in the fourth quarter, he threw a 26-yard touchdown throw to undrafted rookie receiver Kearis Jackson.
After the first quarter, he didn’t have a single pass touch the ground. Willis’ second interception of the game came midway through the third quarter, when he threw to a wide-open Patriots defender Joe Giles-Harris.
Willis also shown greater restraint, rushing just eight times for 17 yards. The quarterback said his greatest improvement since his debut season has been not waiting weeks or months to fix a problem.
That night, New England informed the Titans that plans had altered, with the Patriots coming home for a couple of practises.
NIGHT TIME
The temperature was 92 degrees during kickoff, with a heat index of approximately 105. Zappe, who is from Texas, said that he was accustomed to the heat. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards and was sacked four times.
“I made a joke when I got off the bus that this is real weather,” Zappe said. “I’m sure some of you northerners don’t like it, but I was fine with it.”
WATCHING
DeAndre Hopkins, three-time All-Pro wide receiver, Derrick Henry, three-time Pro Bowl running back, Jeffery Simmons, two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, and linemate Teair Tart all warmed up. Then they came out sans pads for kickoff and watched from the Tennessee sideline.
Mac Jones, the Patriots’ quarterback, dressed but did not play. Zappe returned in the third quarter. Rookie Malik Cunningham arrived late and failed on both pass attempts. He gained 5 yards on one run and played 19 plays as wide receiver.
WATCH OUT FOR THE KICKERS
Chad Ryland, the Patriots’ fourth-round selection out of Maryland, hit the crossbar on a kickoff to showcase his powerful leg as he vies for the position of kicker with veteran Nick Folk.
Michael Badgley, who signed with Tennessee and practised for the first time on Tuesday, did not improve his chances of making the final roster. He hit a 44-yard field goal that banked in off the left upright, as well as two more from 27 and 33 yards. However, Badgley missed a 39-yard field goal wide left.
INJURIES
Daniel Brunskill, the Titans’ starting right guard, left the game with a knee injury. Riley Reiff, New England’s starting right guard, also departed with a right leg injury.
In the fourth quarter, Whyle walked to the locker room with an injured ankle.
WHAT COMES NEXT
The Patriots start the season against Philadelphia on September 10.
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