Tennessee Titans veterans share some favorite Mike Vrabel quotes, memories before rematch

Don’t expect any residual bromance.

"I know our relationship off the field, but I could give two…" ” Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said of his relationship with former coach Mike Vrabel, stopping short of deciding he didn’t want to swear in front of cameras. "I don’t care about the relationship when it comes to Sunday. My job is to go play football and help the Tennessee Titans win."

Simmons and the Titans (1-5) host Vrabel and his new team, the New England Patriots (4-2) on Oct. 19 (noon CT, CBS). This is Vrabel’s first matchup with the franchise that fired him less than two years ago, ending a six-year stint in which Vrabel took the Titans to the playoffs three times, won the AFC South twice, took the team to an AFC championship game and won NFL Coach of the Year following the 2021 season.

With how little time has passed, it’s a little surprising how few of Vrabel’s former players are still in the Titans locker room. In fact, between the start of reporting on this story and its publication, one of those former Vrabel players was released, bringing the number down to 13 players counting injured reserve and practice squad players.

On the active roster, there are only 10: Julius Chestnut, Morgan Cox, Amani Hooker, Arden Key, Corey Levin, Roger McCreary, Chig Okonkwo, Jeffery Simmons, Peter Skoronski and Tyjae Spears.

Simmons isn’t the only one with positive — or at least strong — memories of Vrabel’s tenure. The Tennessean asked a handful of Vrabel’s former players to detail their favorite or most memorable "Vrabel-isms." Here are some of those answers.

Amani Hooker, safety, played for Mike Vrabel 2019-23

"Tired mentally and physically at the end of matches. It’s something that struck me. Basically what it means is that mentally during games you’re so stuck that by the end of games you’re so tired because you’re thinking about what the offense is trying to do. And then physically, it’s an effort.

"This has been proven. Once we preached it and practiced it, it worked. It’s a bit of a sticky thing. When something works and it’s proven, it kind of stays there."

Mason Kinsey, wide receiver, played for Mike Vrabel 2020-23

"Just one effort and let’s finish. This would be the most important thing that comes to mind when talking about Vrabes. It was ingrained in our minds when he was here. You’ve probably all heard it 100 times too."

Thomas Odukoya, tight end, played for Mike Vrabel 2022-23

"He was very repetitive in some of the points he emphasized. Culture. Style of play. All those things are still ingrained in my mind and in the minds of all the guys who have been here with him. Effort and finish, stuff like that. He really emphasizes that and our style of play. I think every team in the NFL emphasizes that. Back in the day, right from the start of OTAs, the drills were like, how can we finish? Get in shape, get in the right position, and then we’d sprint 20 yards down the field.

At the drop of a hat (in meetings), everyone should be repeating what they meant and what they said and how we play and what the answer to the question was and all that."

(Odukoya has since been removed from the Titans’ active roster and, as of publication time, has not re-signed.)

Running back Tyjae Spears played for Mike Vrabel 2023

"What made Vrabel stand out was that he made sure to check on everyone. He made sure everyone was straight. He insisted on knowing everyone in the building. Every day it would be something like this. Good man."

Nick Suss is the Titans writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to Talkin’ Titans Newsletter for updates sent straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans share catchphrases and memories of favorite coach Mike Vrabel