NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field on Wednesday for the second day of the team's three-day minicamp.
Here's a look at some observations from today's session:
-Another practice, another day when Cam Ward's every snap was followed closely.
One day after the Titans rookie quarterback was near perfect – he completed 20 of his 21 passes – Ward was more up and down on Wednesday.
He missed some throws, lost control of the football on two occasions, but he also made some on-target throws and showed off flashes of impressive play.
I'm sure we're going to see these ups and downs continue through training camp, leading up to the season.
On Wednesday, Ward completed 5-of-6 passes in 7-on-7 drills before going 8-of-16 in the three team periods, making him 13-of-22 on the day. Ward is now 33-of-43 in the two minicamp practices combined in the two competitive periods.
Ward's best pass of the day was a 50-yard strike to receiver Calvin Ridley, who caught the ball in stride. He improvised on another play, lateraling the ball back to running back Tony Pollard while on the move. Ward threw a bullet across the middle to Xavier Restrepo, and he hit receiver Van Jefferson in stride down the field in 7-on-7.
Ward, however, also threw behind or wide of his intended targets on a few occasions, and he lost the ball twice in the pocket, once when the pigskin escaped his grasp as he was throwing it. Guard Peter Skoronski jumped on top of that one, after linebacker Cedric Gray ended up on top of a botched play in the backfield. Ward wasn't able to finish off a two-minute drive in the final period of practice.
Ward will have a chance to finish the offseason strong on the final day of minicamp on Thursday.
(Thanks for reading Jared, since you didn't make it out today).
-Van Jefferson had an eventful day, one that ended up including yours truly.
First, Jefferson got a scare early after making a diving catch in the individual period. He got up holding his left wrist, and he was examined by trainers. Turns out Jefferson was OK, and he returned to practice and made four catches on the day, which led all Titans.
Jefferson even saved me from falling at one point early.
Case in point: Jefferson made a running catch in the 7-on-7 period as he headed toward the boundary, and in the direction of the concrete sidewalk – and me. I stepped in front of Jefferson in an attempt to slow down his momentum, because players on concrete, in cleats, can be dangerous – it can be like a skating rink, and I've seen guys topple over. But Jefferson's momentum knocked me back a few steps, and into the Lobster tennis ball machine used by the receivers. Jefferson ended up holding me up, keeping me from and tripping over the knee-high machine. So yes, instead of me saving him, he saved me.
Or, maybe we saved each other? Either way, thanks again Van.
-Receiver James Proche III was one of the stars of the day. He made three catches, including a one-handed grab and a deep ball downfield.
-Ridley and rookie TJ Sheffield also had three catches on the day, while Jha'Quan Jackson, Josh Whyle, David Martin-Robinson and Restrepo had two catches each.
-Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage, and could be heard yelling "Saaaaack" after another play. For a second, I thought Mike Keith had returned.
-Defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat also ended up batting a ball down.
-As a whole, the defense did a nice job generating pressure on the QB on Wednesday, including some on blitzes.
-Calvin Ridley had a pair of early drops before responding with the deep ball catch later in the session.
-Quarterback Will Levis was 2-of-3 in the 7-on-7 period, and 5-of-10 in the combined team periods, making him 7-of-13 on the day.
Levis did a nice job in the two-minute period, with 1:25 actually on the clock at the start of the period.
Levis completed passes to Jefferson, Jha'Quan Jackson (deep ball alert) and David Martin-Robinson on the drive, and set up kicker Joey Slye for a 28-yard field goal, which was good.
-Slye is now 19-of-23 on field goals during the open practices this offseason.
-Quarterback Brandon Allen went 4-of-7 on the day, including 1-of-3 in 7-on-7 and 3-of-4 in team periods.
-Quarterback Tim Boyle went 2-of-3 in 7-on-7 and 1-of-3 in team drills, making him 3-of-6 on the day.
Boyle threw a dart to tight end Gunnar Helm for a completion, and he hit Proche on the deep ball, on back-to-back plays.
-Elic Ayomanor consistently makes plays, and he made one early on Wednesday.
-Linebacker Desmond Evans had a nice PBU.
-Proche III, Restrepo, Chimere Dike and Jha'Quan Jackson fielded punts during a punt return period.
-Center Lloyd Cushenberry went through the stretch period once again.
Here's a story I did on Cushenberry on Wednesday:
-Guard Kevin Zeitler practiced again.
-Edge Femi Oladejo was back at practice after going inside early on Tuesday.
-Safety Kevin Winston Jr., linebacker Otis Reese and receiver Colton Dowell did not practice.
-Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed did not practice.
-I didn't see left tackle Dan Moore during the latter stages of practice.
-Receiver Tyler Lockett went through individual drills.
Next open practice: Minicamp, Thursday, June 12.
