NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field on Saturday for their seventh open practice of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The Titans practiced in pads for the fourth day in a row.
-Receiver Calvin Ridley was back at practice on Saturday after getting a day off on Friday, and he had an eventful day. Ridley tallied four catches on Saturday, including a deep ball in 7-on-7 on a ball thrown by quarterback Cam Ward. Ridley made a nice adjustment on the ball to get under it. Ridley was ticked off when cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. unnecessarily pushed him to the ground after he made a catch in an unscripted team period. Ridley threw the ball at Brownlee, in fact. Ridley was mad at himself when he got behind Brownlee on a Ward deep ball late, and the ball went off his hands 50 yards downfield.
-Ward had a mostly solid day, but the first-team offense was disappointing in a pair of team periods late. Ward went 5-of-8 in the 7-on-7 and 16-of-21 in the team periods, making him a very respectable 21-of-29 on the day. It was probably one of the best practices of camp for Ward, who did not turn the ball over, or have a ball tipped. Ward connected with receiver Bryce Oliver for a deep ball in 7-on-7, and his two deep balls to Ridley were well thrown passes. Ward added a little pizazz when he flicked the ball forward to tight end Chig Okonkwo in a third down period.
-The failure in the red zone period wasn't all on Ward. Starting on the 20, the offense committed a false start on the first play, before being called for holding the next play. So, it went from 1st and 10 to 1st and 25 in a hurry. The possession ended on 4th and 4, when Ridley was stopped short (plus there was an offensive holding call on the play). Another red zone possession ended with a 35-yard field goal from kicker Joey Slye.
-Edge rusher Ali Gaye the play of the day on defense. In an early team period, Gaye intercepted quarterback Brandon Allen and then raced the other way. Gaye showed off some nice moves, and also a stiff-arm during the return. It was pretty impressive for a guy who is listed at 6-6, 265 pounds. Overall it was a impressive day for Gaye, who looked good in 1-on-1s as well.
-Cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally also picked off Allen, on a deflected pass. It was Jeudy-Lally's second interception of training camp.
-Receiver Mason Kinsey caught a touchdown pass from Allen in a team red zone period, on a play when the defense lobbied for a sack from Jaylen Harrell.
-Receiver Elic Ayomanor had a good day, catching four passes, including a touchdown pass from quarterback Tim Boyle. Ayomanor beat DB Jermari Harris on the play. Later, Ayomanor caught a bullet across the middle from Allen.
-When the Titans worked in a short-yardage period, Tony Pollard and Kalel Mullings converted for first downs, and so did back Jordan Mims. Mims busted through a big hole and into space on his run. When the offense tried to surprise the defense, Ward wasn't able to connect with tight end Chig Okonkwo.
-I've heard defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons yell "It's too f'ing easy" many times in camp, and he's usually standing in the offense's backfield when he does.
-Simmons and Arden Key busted into the backfield on one would-be sack.
-Tight end Gunnar Helm made a really nice diving catch.
-Running back Julius Chestnut took a screen from Allen and turned it upfield in an unscripted period, and receivers coach Tyke Tolbert offered all kinds of praise for his receivers for their blocking downfield.
-QB Brandon Allen was 3-of-4 in 7-of-7, and 10-of-13 in the team periods, making him 13-of-17 on the day. Allen made some nice throws, but his day was marred by the two picks.
-QB Tim Boyle had a solid day, going 10-of-12 in the team periods, including the touchdown pass to receiver Matt Landers, who outraced defenders to the end zone.
-It was the first shaky day for kicker Joey Slye, who started camp by making 20 of his first 21 kicks. Slye went just 5-of-9 on Saturday, however, with makes from 33, 35, 41, 46 and 50, and misses from 37, 43, 45, and 54. A few of the kicks came when he ran in from the sideline, one with defenders gathered around him, yelling. Slye is now 25-of-30 in camp.
-Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Chig Okonkwo, Tyler Lockett, Josh Whyle and Van Jefferson had three catches each.
-Okonkwo suffered a gash on his face in practice, and had to be bandaged up.
-Defensive lineman Philip Blide knocked down an Allen pass at the line of scrimmage.
-When the Titans worked in the punt return game, Tyjae Spears, Chimere Dike, James Proche II, TJ Sheffield, Xavier Restrepo and Jha'Quan Jackson all worked in the drill.
-Defensive back Darrell Baker had a nice break-up in a ball thrown by Ward.
-Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day busted into the backfield in an early rep.
-Defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat did not practice for the second day in a row. Swear is day-to-day with an abdominal issue.
-Guard Peter Skoronski was back at practice after leaving Friday's practice a few plays early.
-Femi Oladejo looked good in his 1-on-1 reps.
-Offensive linemen Blake Hance (calf) and Chandler Brewer did not practice.
-Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and center Lloyd Cushenberry began training camp on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list and they're not practicing.
Next open practice: Sunday, 8 a.m.
