NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for a practice with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The word "inconsistency" was used by several Titans to describe today's work against the Cardinals. While watching from the sideline, I didn't think the Titans had a great day. It was a different feeling from a week ago, when I thought the Titans outperformed the Buccaneers for the most part both days. I didn't really feel like that was the case on Wednesday, however.
-The Titans and Cardinals were competitive early in 1-on-1s and 2-on-2s. I wish I had some videos to share, but this period was off-limits to photos and videos, so I'll do my best to describe it in here. The 1-on-1s started out well, as Cody Hollister made a good catch on a ball thrown by quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Later, Tannehill connected with Hollister again, and he also connected with Racey McMath. But the Cardinals broke up a lot of passes in the 1-on-1s. Dez Fitzpatrick and Kyle Philips had catches on balls thrown by Logan Woodside here, but I thought the Cardinals DBs won this period. In the 2-on-2s, Robert Woods and Philips caught the first two passes thrown by Tannehill before McMath dropped a nice pass from Woodside. Later, Woodside connected with McMath for a score. But the Cardinals also broke up five passes in this period, and the Titans were called for offensive interference (pick play) on another rep. Being honest, I thought the Cardinals DBs got the best of the Titans in the 2-on-2s as well.
-Tannehill and the Titans receivers fared much better in the 7-on-7s, as Tannehill went 8-of-11 in the period. Tannehill completed passes to Woods, Philips and Dontrell Hilliard to start before a pass to Philips was broken up by Cardinals defensive back Byron Murphy Jr.. Later, Tannehill connected with tight ends Geoff Swaim, Chig Okonkwo (2), and Austin Hooper, who made a tough catch. Fitzpatrick had a drop and a catch in this period.
-I thought quarterback Malik Willis had a really nice 7-on-7 period, as he connected on all seven of his attempts on balls to tight end David Wells, Hollister, Fitzpatrick, running back Julius Chestnut, and three to receiver Mason Kinsey.
-Kinsey caught five passes in the first 7-on-7, as he also hauled in a pair of passes from Logan Woodside.
-Tannehill finished the day 20-of-31. Those stats are from work vs the Cardinals and also in periods when the Titans worked on their own. Tannehill is now 192-of-281 in training camp, and that total also includes work in the two joint practices against the Buccaneers last week. Tannehill threw his fourth INT of camp on Wednesday, as Cardinals defensive back Byron Murphy Jr. got him in a two-minute period I'll discuss next.
-The Titans offense didn't have a lot of success in the two-minute periods at the end of practice. Needing a field goal in one scenario, the offense came up short after a pair of Tannehill incompletions to Philips, including one when the ball was dislodged on a nice play by Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson. When the first team offense got another crack later, that drive ended with the interception by Murphy.
-The Titans 2s on offense, led by Willis, didn't fare much better against the Cardinals defense, as Willis threw a pick-6 to Cardinals safety Tae Daley on the first possession, and the offense got zero points on its next possession either.
-The Titans first team defense also kept the Cardinals first-team offense, led by quarterback Kyler Murray, from getting points on their possessions in the two-minute periods. But Arizona's 2s found the end zone as Trace McSorley connected with receiver Jontre Kirklin for a score after Titans defensive back Chris Jackson slipped. Later, Jackson made a nice break-up when the 2s on Tennessee's defense got a stop.
-When the Titans worked on their own in an earlier team period, Philips had a nice catch on a ball throw by Tannehill.
-In the same Titans-only team period, Willis connected on a beautiful deep ball to Kinsey, who capped off his big day.
-In another Titans-only team period, linebacker Chance Campbell punched the ball out after Nick Westbrook-Ikhine made a catch.
-Cornerbacks Roger McCreary and Caleb Farley also had nice break-ups in a Titans-only team period.
-Nicholas Petit-Frere got a lot of reps at right tackle on Wednesday, as Dillon Radunz worked plenty at guard. Petit-Frere was whistled for a false start in the practice.
-Willis mishandled a snap on one play.
-During a kicking period, kicker Randy Bullock went 7-of-8, with makes of 33, 33, 33, 36, 41, 42, and 51 yards and a miss from 48. Bullock is now 74-of-81 in training camp.
-Punter Ryan Stonehouse had a busy day, as he did the holding on Bullock's field goals and he also punted during a punting period. Stonehouse hit a few bombs, but he also mishit a few.
-Kyle Philips, Mason Kinsey and Treylon Burks fielded punts during a punt return period. I saw Philips drop one.
-Running back Derrick Henry got some work in individual periods and also team drills. Later, Henry spent some time o the bike for extra conditioning work. Henry chatted with Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins after today's practice.
-Defensive lineman Denico Autry, guard Jamarco Jones, defensive back Elijah Molden, guard Nate Davis, tight end Tommy Hudson, defensive lineman Kevin Strong, and defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand did not practice.
-Receiver Treylon Burks and defensive lineman Naquan Jones left practice early.
-Running back Trenton Cannon, defensive Josh Kalu and offensive lineman Christian DiLauro were back at practice.
-Linebacker Monty Rice did not practice, as he's on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of camp.
-Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk watched practice from her perch atop Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
-Former Titans linebacker Tim Shaw attended Wednesday's practice.
-Referees were on hand to work today's Titans-Cardinals practice.
-Roughly 200 fans attended Wednesday's session, including sponsors and friends and family members of coaches and players.
-The Titans will practice on their own on Thursday, while the Cardinals practice on their own at Vanderbilt.
-The Titans will face the Cardinals in preseason game No.3 on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.
Next practice: Thursday, 9:45 a.m.
