NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field on Wednesday for the second day of a two-day mandatory minicamp.
Today's practice was open to reporters.
Here's a look at some observations from today's session:
-The Titans treated the final day of minicamp almost like a scrimmage, playing two halves and remaining in team drills throughout. The offense was challenged to move the football the length of the field, inside the red zone, and in hurry-up situations. There were some good moments from the offense, and other times when the unit stalled and was forced to kick field goals. The defense made some plays as well, including sacks, batted balls, and an interception on the final play of the session. Let's take a more detailed look…
-Quarterback Cam Ward was efficient, completing 18-of-26 passes on the day. Ward engineered some nice drives, going 4-of-6 on an early possession that started at the 30, and 3-of-4 in a hurry-up mode. Ward was 5-of-7 in another period midway through practice. But all three of those drives ended with field goals by kicker Joey Slye. Another late drive also stalled out. Overall, Ward had a pretty solid two-day minicamp, which ended with Wednesday's work. He was more accurate, and looked more comfortable. One thing that improved during Ward's offseason was his connection with receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, and that was on display on Wednesday.
-In the seven open practices, I charted Ward at 93-of-161 in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined.
-I had Robinson with 12 catches in the first six open practices combined. I had Robinson with a practice-high eight catches on Wednesday, all eight of them on balls thrown by Ward. Robinson made catches on three straight plays during one period. Robinson thought he would've scored on one pass across the middle, but was ruled touched down by the officials on hand – he let them know he didn't like the call. Some of these completions to Robinson were short to mid-range, but watching over the past few days, I think their chemistry has improved from earlier in the offseason.
-Receiver Xavier Restrepo had the catch of the day. It came on a ball thrown by quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in an early period that set up a touchdown. Restrepo was well defended on the play, but he spun around and snagged the ball out of the air with one hand at the one-yard line. The Titans scored a touchdown on the next play. Restrepo had a really nice day – he turned a short catch into a long gainer on one of his seven catches on the day. No one caught more passes in these open practices than Restrepo.
-It was cornerback Micah Robinson who had the previously mentioned interception on the final play of practice, and it came on a ball thrown by quarterback Will Levis. Robinson gave up some plays this offseason, but he also made several. Robinson had two picks in the seven open OTAs, and no other Titan had more than one in these open practices. (Another guy had two in a closed OTA earlier this offseason).
-Ward nearly connected with receiver Elic Ayomanor for a big play, as Ayomanor was streaking down the left sideline, open. But Ayomanor didn't see the ball until the last second, and the ball whizzed by his helmet for an incompletion on what might've been a touchdown. Ayomanor had three catches on the day.
-I think I should shout-out kicker Joey Slye about now. Slye hadn't kicked much this offseason in practices, but he kicked on Wednesday and was very effective. Slye made kicks from 58 and 60 yards, after making kicks from 38, 47, 38 and 25 earlier in practice, making him 6-of-6 on the day. The 58-yard boot, which was into the wind, hit off the cross bar and bounced over.
-Running back Tyjae Spears had several nice runs, and showed a burst – and shiftiness – when he got into the secondary. For the second offseason in a row, I thought Spears really stood out.
-Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky ended on a high note, completing 21-of-26 passes, and two scores. Trubisky was 78-of-97 in his five offseason appearances (three OTAs, 2 minicamp).
-The defense was credited with a number of sacks on the day, as officials blew plays dead.
-Edge Jermaine Johnson was in the backfield earlier, claiming one of the sacks.
-The offense had sloppy moments, as there were false starts on the first three series of the day.
-Cornerback Alontae Taylor had a pass break-up, and was also called for pass interference.
-Cornerback Cor'Dale Flott had a beautiful PBU himself, on a pass intended for Carnell Tate.
-Receiver Chimere Dike ended the offseason workouts with momentum, with six more catches on Wednesday.
-Tate had two catches on the day, and ended the offseason a little quieter than it started.
-Linebacker Cedric Gray had a nice PBU.
-Defensive Ernest Brown was credited with a sack.
-Defensive end Jacob Martin was in the backfield for a would-be sack.
-I noticed edge Truman Jones in the backfield for a would-be sack, too.
-Cornerback Jalen McMurray had another PBU.
-Quarterback Will Levis was 6-of-10 on Wednesday, and 68-of-105 in seven open practices.
-Tight end Daniel Bellinger caught three passes on the day, and I think he's going to catch a lot of passes this fall.
-Receiver K.J/ Osborn caught a touchdown pass from Trubisky, and another bullet from him earlier in the session.
-Tight end Joel Wilson had a short touchdown catch.
-Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was on hand, but did not take part. He's spent time in recent days working with Brian Bell, assistant director, sports performance, for the Titans.
-JC Latham, Femi Oladejo, Tony Adams and Amani Hooker were not spotted. Coach Robert Saleh indicated a number of players are rehabbing injuries.
-The Titans won't be back in the field until training camp, in late July.
