NASHVILLE – Members of the Titans rookie class took the field again on Saturday at Vanderbilt Health Football Center.
Eight draft picks, 11 undrafted free agents, five veterans and 58 other tryout players participated in day one of the two-day camp, some more than others.
Here's a look at the developments…
-For the second day in a row, the draft picks didn't do much with cameras on them. By design, the Titans limited their involvement at the start of their respective NFL careers, as the draft picks focused on conditioning instead of fiercely competing right out of the gate.
I did see first-round pick Carnell Tate catching a few passes in warm-ups, and running back Nick Singleton, the team's fifth-round pick out of Penn State, was spotted heading inside the bubble for his conditioning work with the other draft picks.
-All of the rookies gathered for a team photo before practice, and photographer Donald Page made me nervous when he climbed to the top of a tall ladder to get the picture. Does he not know how dangerous ladders can be? I speak from experience – and I have metal plates and screws in both wrists to show for it.
-Quarterbacks Derek Robertson (Monmouth), Kaidon Salter (Colorado) and Cade McNamara (East Tennessee) once again took part in Saturday's session on a tryout basis. All three of the QBs were mostly accurate during their 7-on-7 opportunities, and Robertson once again went 11-of-12 in the early period.
-Jacksonville State receiver Brock Rechsteiner, at camp on a tryout basis, caught a touchdown pass from Robertson early, and he had another nice grab later in the period.
-Clemson cornerback Jeadyn Lukus, signed as an undrafted free agent, hauled in an interception during a later 7-on-7 period.
-I noticed Western Kentucky receiver Matthew Henry, another tryout guy, making a few nice catches on balls thrown by Salter. Unfortunately, I saw Henry leaving practice early with a trainer.
-The Titans once again took part in an action-packed agility drill that was designed by special teams coordinator John Fassel. I posted a video of receiver Tyren Montgomery going through this drill on Friday, and was shocked to see over 4 million folks (and counting) had viewed it on X, many questioning its purpose. With 58 players taking part this weekend on a tryout basis, believe me, the Titans aren't working on scheme during rookie minicamp. Coaches want to see these guys on the move, and during this 10-minute period, the drill provides coaches some clues on how fluid some of these guys are in a short period of time. The X police might not be impressed, but I doubt the coaches really care to be honest.
Here's the video that blew up on Friday:
And here's receiver Hal Presley III doing the same drill on Saturday:
-Speaking of Montgomery, I can see why there was so much buzz about him coming in as a UDFA. Montgomery is a fascinating prospect, and he's shown off his ability at minicamp. But Montgomery, like a lot of these rookies, battled some inconsistencies over the past two days. He made a beautiful catch with his hands for a score on one play, but also let a ball go through his hands on what should have been a routine catch, and I fielded it on one bounce, by the way.
-Xavier Restrepo was out there for the second straight day, making plays. Restrepo caught a touchdown pass from Robertson near the end of practice, capping off another busy day.
-New Titans defensive backs/safeties coach Marquand Manuel is a ball of energy. I haven't officially met Manuel yet, but I've heard him a lot. He's a teacher and a motivator, and he's had some fun with these rookies the past few days.
-I've noticed head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi huddling up from time to time at these practices, watching together. I imagine they're talking about prospects, and potential roster decisions, on the fly on the practice field.
-UCLA safety Key Lawrence, taking part on a tryout basis, had a nice PBU during a 7-on-7 period.
-Jake Tafelski might not be the Notre Dame running back a lot of Titans fans wanted, but he did well for himself as a tryout player. Tafelski made a nice catch out of the backfield in one drill. Tafelski is from Dearborn, Michigan, the same hometown as Saleh.
-Another Notre Dame product, tackle Aamil Wagner, did a lot of individual work with offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo.
-Boston College tight end Jeremiah Franklin, one of the tryout players, had a busy day catching the football.
-Kentucky cornerback JQ Hardaway had a nice breakup on a ball thrown downfield intended for Purdue receiver Michael Jackson III. On an unrelated topic, I'm headed to see the Michael Jackson movie tonight…
-Before today's session, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Fassel spoke to reporters.
-The Titans rookies will head home tomorrow and they'll return in a week, when they'll join the veterans in the offseason program.
