Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has a very practical way to slow down Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. When asked how to slow down one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in NFL history, Vrabel's response was simple, tie his shoes together.
Vrabel was asked about how to stop Lamar Jackson. “Other than try and tie his shoelaces together?”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 7, 2020
As nice as it would be to use that strategy to their advantage, that isn't allowed under NFL rules. The Titans will need to find a different way to slow down the Ravens superstar. When asked on Monday a similar question, Vrabel admitted it's a lot of fun to watch him… when they aren't going to be the team trying to slow him down.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel on facing Lamar Jackson and Ravens: "They have the best player in the league who’s impossible to tackle. A great scheme. I think on any other day, it would be fun to watch but not when you’re trying to prepare for them and stop them."
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 6, 2020
Vrabel knows it's impossible to stop Jackson, and the best-case scenario will have to be just to slow him down. Even hoping to slow him down is a tall task that will take a complete team effort. Vrabel knows how hard it is to tackle the electric Ravens quarterback, and that is going to be where the team has to start.
They need to make sure they are wrapping him up and not letting him break off the long run. Three and four-yard runs are okay, but 20 and 30-yard gains. If the team can prevent Jackson from breaking the explosive runs, in theory, that should keep them in the game.
Jackson rushed for over 1000 yards during the regular season and added 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air. It's probably going to take a perfect game from the Titans, but if they can find a way to slow down Jackson without tying his shoes together, they could pull off the upset against the Ravens.