Developing Malik Willis, Will Levis during Regular Season will be Difficult for Titans Coach Mike Vrabel

The Tennessee Titans' biggest talking point during the preseason was the backup quarterback battle, but with Ryan Tannehill stepping in as the regular season starts, the development of the young passers will take a backseat.

The Tennessee Titans' biggest storyline during the preseason was the development of young quarterbacks Malik Willis and Will Levis, but as the regular season begins, the young passers will lose reps and practice opportunities as starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill becomes a bigger priority.

That could make continuing the development of both the young quarterbacks more difficult on head coach Mike Vrabel. Something Vrabel spoke about before practice on Thursday.

"We'll try to give them both opportunities," Vrabel said. "I try to find places where Ryan (Tannehill) maybe could not take as many reps. Also trying to do some things with some younger guys based on health and receivers and defensive backs, 7-on-7 after practice. Try to get some of those throws in because it is a challenge to try and get two young guys developed and make sure that (the starters) are also getting the reps they need to be ready for the game."

Vrabel clearly acknowledges balancing the development of the young quarterbacks and the readiness of the starters is tough. He does have a great idea to try and bridge that gap.

As Vrabel explains, the Titans can run some additional 7-on-7 drills after practice if health provides the opportunity. Obviously, at some point in the season, especially for the Titans, injuries can mount in a way where it isn't smart to spend any additional reps on a side project.

Early though, when the roster is mostly healthy, the Titans should take the opportunity. The Titans can use their younger players on the roster and players on the practice squad to work in these after-practice drills.

Getting the reps Tannehill and the starters need while also getting more reps than you would otherwise for the young quarterbacks with after-practice work would be threading the needle in an incredibly smart way.

Mike Vrabel gets his credit for his on-the-field ability as a coach, but some of the other decisions we have seen him make recently like this practice idea and letting assistant head coach Terrell Williams be acting head coach for the first preseason game, make you think Vrabel is just as strong of a head coach outside of the games as he is during them.

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