Mike Vrabel was 54-45 over six seasons as coach of the Titans, with three playoff appearances and an AP Coach of the Year award to show for his time in Nashville.
Mike Vrabel was 54-45 over six seasons as coach of the Titans, with three playoff appearances and an AP Coach of the Year award to show for his time in Nashville.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — While the return of Mike Vrabel to Tennessee is one of the most compelling story lines of the week, his assistants seem to indicate that when it comes to the Patriots coach’s approach, it’s been business as usual.
“Like it always is: intense,” special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said of the way Vrabel has handled things over the last few days. “It’s fourth and 1 every day. Ready to go. … You better have your details, techniques, fundamentals down.
“It’s fourth and 1 every day. Every day.”
On Sunday, Vrabel will return to Nashville for the first time as a head coach since he was fired by the Titans following the 2023 season. In six seasons with the Titans, Vrabel went 54-45, made the postseason three times, and was named AP Coach of the Year once (2021). Earlier in the week, he dismissed any talk of emotion when it came to facing his old team, and on Thursday, his assistants said Vrabel’s approach has been like any other game.
“Yeah, I would agree with [Springer] as far as it hasn’t changed,” said inside linebacker coach Zak Kuhr, who has taken over the defensive coordinator role in the wake of Terrell Williams’s illness. “I mean, this was day one, even when we weren’t practicing. He brings high energy to the building at all times. I don’t think it’s changed at all. It’s been the same.”
“One of the things I appreciate the most about [Vrabel] is in a business that I’ve been around a few different places, he is, in many ways, a definition of a leader of men,” said tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Thomas Brown. “He is consistent, has the same message, and is hell bent on making sure that we lead the coaching staff, but also the players in the right direction on a daily basis. There’s been no change at all this week.”
Two sign on, two cut
The Patriots signed tight end Thomas Odukoya and defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III to the practice squad, and released tight end Marshall Lang and defensive lineman David Olajiga.
The 28-year-old Odukoya played for Vrabel in Tennessee for two seasons (2022-23) as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. The 6-foot-6-inch, 253-pounder was released by the Titans earlier this month
Practice report
New England had two players who did not practice: linebacker Harold Landry III (ankle) and cornerback Charles Woods (knee). In addition, five players were limited: wide receiver Stefon Diggs (chest), safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle), linebacker Marte Mapu (neck), and offensive tackle Morgan Moses (hip) … Tennessee had three players miss practice: linebacker Arden Key (quadriceps), linebacker Dre’Mont Jones (knee), and wide receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring).
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.