NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field on Thursday for their ninth day of organized team activities.
Today's OTA was open to reporters.
Here's a look at some observations from today's session:
-Rookie receiver Carnell Tate returned to the practice field after missing Tuesday's session, and he looked just fine. In fact, Tate casually caught a pass with one hand during an early individual period. Tate wasn't as noticeable compared to other recent practices, with just one catch in the team period.
-Rookie Hank Beatty was one of the stars of the day. The undrafted receiver from Illinois made a practice-best five catches on Thursday, including catches on three straight plays in a two-minute period. Beatty went up high to snag a Mitchell Trubisky pass out of the air downfield, and it was one of the biggest highlights of the day. I've liked the looks of Beatty in these OTAs. He's shifty, he gets open, and he catches the football.
-It wasn't a great day for quarterback Cam Ward, who hasn't looked very sharp in these recent OTAs. Ward has missed some throws, and the offense has failed to execute on other plays. Ward was 2-of-5 in the opening team period, and 6-of-8 in a 'Move the Ball" period that looked a little better. But Ward went 1-of-4 in a scenario that gave the first team offense 52 seconds, and two timeouts, with the ball at their own 20, needing a field goal. Aside from a short completion to Xavier Restrepo, Ward couldn't get anything going on what was a sloppy, possession. I had Ward 13-of-25 on the day, including 9-of-17 in the team periods and 4-of-8 in the 7-on-7 period. In five open OTAs, I have Ward 62-of-113 in the 7-on-7 and team drills combined.
-Xavier Restrepo continues to make plays. On Thursday, I had Restrepo with four more grabs, giving him 18 in the five open session. No Titans receiver has more.
-Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was successful in his end-of-game scenario, when he drove the second team offense into field goal range by going 6-of-7 on the drive that featured the three catches to Beatty. Trubisky was 17-of-22 on the day, and I have him at 45-of-55 in his three OTA sessions. Trubisky has been really sharp, although he did throw his first interception of the offseason today.
-It was cornerback Latrell McCutchin Sr. who picked off Trubisky, on a pass intended for receiver Lance McCutcheon.
-Safety Kevin Winston Jr. forced a fumble – and recovered it – after receiver Calvin Ridley caught a pass going across the middle.
-Alontae Taylor was back in action, and he made several plays. Head coach Robert Saleh said former cornerback Cor'Dale Flott has been around, rehabbing an injury he suffered a few weeks ago.
-Kicker Joey Slye connected on a 40-yard field goal, his only attempt of the day.
-I spotted defensive lineman Jackie Marshall stopping the run.
-Safety Bishop Fitzgerald had a pass break-up.
-Cornerback Keydrain Calligan had a PBU as well.
-Cornerback Micah Robinson broke up a pass intended for Ridley, and let him hear about it.
-I noticed Keldric Faulk coming off the edge to get into the backfield.
-Linebacker Cedric Gray knocked down a Ward pass across the middle.
-Quarterback Will Levis was 10-of-17 on the day, and is now 55-of-82 in five open OTAs.
-After Trubisky returned for OTAs this week, Levis has continued to get team and 7-on-7 reps. Quarterback Hendon Hooker, meanwhile, has seen his opportunities decrease.
-Levis connected with receiver Tyren Montgomery for a deep ball, and it was one of the biggest highlights of the day.
-Receiver Chimere Dike caught four passes on Thursday, and he's been surging of late.
-Receiver Elic Ayomanor was also very active on Thursday, with four grabs himself.
-Once again, these OTAs are voluntary, so I'm not keeping attendance. Some guys are recovering from injuries, and others have personal business they're taking care of. I didn't see JC Latham, Dan Moore, Amani Hooker and John Franklin-Myers. Femi Oladejo and Jeffery Simmons were spotted. But again, these are voluntary, and some have been in and out.
-The Titans will be back on the field next week when minicamp begins.
