NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field on Sunday for their eighth open practice of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The Titans practiced in pads for the fifth day in a row.
-It wasn't a pretty day for the offense, and coach Brian Callahan led the group know about it, in so many words, at the end of practice. After a pretty nice start in the 7-on-7 red zone period, there just weren't a lot of highlights for the group, especially in the team periods. The defense deserves some credit, of course, but on this day, it was more about what was lacking when the offense had the ball. The offense didn't just hear it from the head coach – they also heard it from defenders, namely Jeffery Simmons and Cody Barton. I heard those guys the most.
-The defense didn't create a turnover in the 7-on-7 or team periods, but safety Amani Hooker made one heck of a play in the 1-on-1s when he intercepted a pass pretty much with one hand, and used great footwork to get both feet inbounds.
-As mentioned previously, the offense made plays in the red zone 7-on-7 period. Quarterback Cam Ward threw touchdown passes to tight ends David Martin-Robinson and Gunnar Helm, just before QB Tim Boyle completed touchdown passes to receiver Matt Landers and tight end Drake Dabney. Ward went 3-of-4 in the 7-on-7 period, and so did Boyle.
-Ward went just 5-of-14 in the team periods, making him 8-of-18 on the day. The offense went three-and-out in a backed up period, starting on its own 1-yard line. The first team unit didn't produce on its next two possessions in the final two periods either.
-The first skirmish of camp took place on Sunday, although it ended fairly quickly. Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. threw receiver Mason Kinsey to the ground at the conclusion of a play, and that prompted JC Latham and Simmons to jump in, among others. Kinsey and Brownlee are two of the feistier guys on the team, so it wasn't a surprise to see them mixing it up.
-Safety Xavier Woods had a good day, with a near INT in 1-on-1s and several nice plays in coverage, and in the run game.
-Edge rushers Dre'Mont Jones and Arden Key got my attention.
-Rookie receiver Chimere Dike had a solid day, with a team-high four catches, including a touchdown.
-Tight end David Martin-Robinson had three catches, including the touchdown grab.
-Running back Tony Pollard had three catches, and a few nice runs.
-Tight end Gunnar Helm made one of the plays of the day for the offense, with a nice sideline catch and toe-tap.
-I noticed linebacker Cedric Gray several times in run defense on Sunday.
-Brownlee had a nice PBU on a ball intended for Tyler Lockett.
-Edge Femi Oladejo provided nice pressure on Ward on at least one rep.
-Cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. was right there for a PBU on a deep ball intended for Calvin Ridley. I thought Baker had a really good day in coverage.
-QB Brandon Allen went 2-of-4 in the 7-on-7, and 8-of-13 in team to finish the day 10-of-17.
-QB Tim Boyle went 3-of-4 in the 7-on-7 and 1-of-3 in team to finish 4-of-7 on the day.
-Safety Mike Brown had a nice breakup on an Allen pass intended for Jha'Quan Jackson.
-Kicker Joey Slye was a perfect 6-of-6 on Sunday, with makes from 33, 36, 42, 46, 49 and 54 yards. Slye is now 31-of-36 in camp.
-Safety Kevin Winston Jr. headed inside early with a member of the training staff, but he's OK.
-Defensive lineman Carlos Watkins also went in early after getting banged up.
-Defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat did not practice for the third day in a row. Sweat is day-to-day with an abdominal issue.
-Offensive linemen Blake Hance (calf) and Chandler Brewer (quad) did not practice.
-Offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler was given the day off.
-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.
-The Titans signed offensive lineman Arlington Hambright before practice, and waived receiver Ramel Keyton.
Next open practice: Wednesday, 8 a.m.
