NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field on Tuesday for the first day of the team's three-day minicamp.
Here's a look at some observations from today's session:
-Cam Ward, oh my.
On the first day of the team's minicamp, the Titans rookie quarterback was intercepted for the first time this offseason, by linebacker Cody Barton, on a throw across the middle.
It came during an early 7-on-7 period, on Ward's third pass of the day.
So, what did Ward do?
He completed his next 18 passes in practice, including 6-of-7 in 7-on-7, and a perfect 14-of-14 in team periods, making him 20-of-21 for the day.
It was Ward's best practice of the offseason.
-It was an entertaining session all around, and some of it centered on defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who practiced for the first time this offseason.
Simmons did up-downs with members of the defense surrounding him, a tradition defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson started to welcome players back after an absence.
Simmons and Ward engaged in some trash-talking after one play, and Simmons was left impressed by the rookie's verbal response, as well as his play on the field.
Simmons, by the way, said he lost 20 pounds this offseason, and said he weighed in at 301 pounds.
-It was an especially productive day for rookie receiver Xavier Restrepo, Ward's teammate at the University of Miami.
Restrepo caught a team-high six passes on Tuesday, with four of the catches coming on throws by Ward.
-The tight ends had a big day.
I had Chig Okonkwo with five catches, Gunnar Helm with two, David Martin-Robinson with two and Josh Whyle with one.
-Helm was the recipient of one of Ward's best balls of the day, a strike across the middle down the seam.
-Rookie Elic Ayomanor had four catches on the day, and Chimere Dike had three.
-Linebacker James Williams had a chance to pick off Ward, but he let the ball go off his hands, and it ended up in Ayomanor's hands.
-Quarterback Will Levis was 6-of-10 on the day, including 2-of-4 in 7-on-7 and 4-of-6 on team.
Levis threw a beautiful pass downfield that was caught by Ayomanor, who beat cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. on the boundary.
-Quarterback Brandon Allen went 7-of-8 on the day, including 2-of-3 in 7-on-7 and 5-of-5 in team periods.
-Quarterback Tim Boyle went 0-of-1 in 7-on-7 and 2-of-3 in team drills, making him 2-of-4 on the day.
-Cornerback Marcus Harris had a nice pass break-up on a pass thrown by Allen that was intended for Calvin Ridley.
-Bryce Oliver made a nice catch across the middle, but let another catchable ball go off his hands on the next play.
-Kicker Joey Slye was 6-of-8 on the day, with makes from 33, 41, 44, 52, 59 and 60 yards, and misses from 37 and 48. He's now 18-of-22 in the open practices this offseason.
-Receiver Treylon Burks worked in individual drills, and looked good catching a deep ball downfield.
-Guard Kevin Zeitler practiced for the first time this offseason.
-Running back Kalel Mullings practiced for the first time this offseason.
-Center Lloyd Cushenberry went through the stretch period.
-Edge Femi Oladejo went inside early.
-Safety Kevin Winston Jr., linebacker Otis Reese and receiver Colton Dowell did not practice.
-Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed did not practice.
-Receiver Tyler Lockett was spotted working on the JUGS machine early.
Next open practice: Minicamp, Wednesday, June 11.
