Titans HC Mike Vrabel 'disappointed' but 'not discouraged' after early playoff exit

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel likely didn't envision completing an end-of-the-season press conference at this stage of the year after he guided Tennessee to the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed and a postseason bye, but he nevertheless found himself addressing the media Monday coming off Saturday's 19-16 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' website, Vrabel expressed feeling proud of Tennessee's 12 victories this season even though his side went one-and-done in the playoffs. 

"I am proud, because you come to work and you get to coach men that care, that are tough, that play extremely hard, that believe in our culture, effort and toughness, about putting the team first and about winning," he explained. "I am disappointed, but I am not discouraged because I know the team that we have here."

Vrabel verbally supported Todd Downing after the offensive coordinator received some criticism for his group producing only 16 points against the Bengals. While Vrabel seemed to commit to keeping Downing, he did say "we'll have meetings on that throughout the week, and that's some other things I'll have to put into consideration" when asked if he could make changes to his staff following the loss to Cincinnati. 

"I am under contact, and my belief is that I will be here," Vrabel added about his own future. "I want to be here. I want to do the best job that I can for these players, that put so much into it. I don't want to be anywhere else."