NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field on Wednesday for their second day of organized team activities.
Today's OTA was open to reporters after a closed session on Tuesday.
Here's a look at some observations from today's session:
-I'll go straight to what everyone is probably the most interested in on the first open OTA: Rookie quarterback Cam Ward.
Ward came out slinging it, going 8-of-10 in his first 7-on-7 period. Ward's first completion was a strike across the middle to tight end Gunnar Helm, and he also connected with Van Jefferson on a pair of completions early. Ward was wide on a sideline throw to receiver Calvin Ridley, and the other incompletion in 7-on-7 was high and off the hands of James Proche II. In the team period, three of Ward's passes were broken up, and he ended the period 1-of-4 with a sidearm completion to receiver TJ Sheffield at the end. Ward was 2-of-3 in the final team period, which ended with a strike to rookie receiver Chimere Dike. Ward looked poised on Wednesday, stepping up in the pocket several times while under pressure. Sure, he was off the mark on a few throws, and there was a botched exchange with center Corey Levin. But overall, Ward had a solid day. I had Ward 3-of-7 in the two team periods, making him 11-of-17 on the day.
-Will Levis, like the other quarterbacks, got some work as well.
It's safe to assume Ward and Levis took the bulk of the snaps, but I can't get too specific in here.
Levis had a mostly solid day himself, going a perfect 5-of-5 in the 7-on-7 period, including a nice pass to Dike. Levis went 1-of-1 in the first team period, but 0-of-2 in the second of the two team periods. His final pass of the day was intercepted by safety Mark Perry. Levis, just like he did last year, sprinted from one drill to the next. Coaches and teammates say his attitude has been good all offseason. Levis was 1-of-3 in the team periods, making him 6-of-8 on the day.
-QB Brandon Allen went 2-of-3 in the 7-on-7 periods, and 1-of-1 in the team periods.
-QB Tim Boyle went 2-of-2 in the 7-on-7 periods, but did not throw a pass in the team periods.
-Running back Tyjae Spears looked explosive on several runs, generating some buzz from his offensive teammates.
-Cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally broke up a pair of passes on Wednesday, and was one of the standouts on defense.
-Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day busted through the hole to meet Spears on one rep.
-Safety Amani Hooker had a nice break-up on a Levis pass intended for Dike.
-Linebacker Cedric Gray had a nice break-up on a Ward pass intended for Julius Chestnut.
-Linebacker Curtis Jacobs batted a pass into the air, but another defender wasn't close enough to haul it in.
-Draft picks Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike both had nice days. Ayomanor made a nice sideline catch on a ball thrown by Ward, and he also made a diving grab. Dike caught several passes, and looked comfortable early.
-Van Jefferson looked smooth as well, and caught several passes himself. I had Jefferson with three catches on Wednesday, which was more than any other receiver. He communicated with Ward after one rep, making sure they were on the same page.
-Ayomanor, Dike, Josh Whyle and Proche II had two catches each.
-Tight end Chig Okonkwo had a one-handed catch in an early individual period.
-Kicker Joey Slye was 6-of-7 on field goals, with makes from 33, 36, 40, 47, 49 and 52. He was wide right on a kick of 44 yards.
-Edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo sure fires off the line of scrimmage, and he really stands out in his new number, No. 7.
-Second-year linebacker James Williams has added Sr. to the name on the back of his jersey. He came flying through the hole on one snap in a team period.
-JC Latham looks leaner, and he said he's in great shape. Latham talked about his weight loss, and mindset, switching to right tackle and more, after practice.
See below:
-Dre'Mont Jones is built like a tank. At 6-foot-3, 281 pounds, he's part of a bigger group of edge rushers on the team this year.
-Jha'Quan Jackson, Xavier Restrepo, TJ Sheffield, Dike and Proche caught punts during a special teams period.
-Receiver Treylon Burks worked in individual period on Wednesday, but his work was limited in practice as he recovers from his ACL injury last year.
-Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat, receiver Tyler Lockett, guard Kevin Zeitler, and center Lloyd Cushenberry were not spotted at practice.
-Safety Kevin Winston Jr and running back Kalel Mullings worked on a side field.
Next open OTA: Tuesday, June 3.
