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Saturday's Training Camp Observations

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans were back on the field for the third day of training camp on Saturday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

Here's a look at what stood out:

  • The Titans practiced in pads for the first time in training camp.
  • The receivers and defensive backs worked in 1-on-1 drills early, and there were some nice moments from each group. Receivers Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor, Michael Campanaro, Jordan Veasy and Cameron Batson all made nice grabs. Taylor made a really nice catch with cornerback Malcolm Butler in coverage.
  • Undrafted free agent Deontay Burnett is coming on. He made a beautiful diving catch in 1-on-1 drills, and he made several other impressive grabs on the day, including one late.
  • Butler continues to make plays in camp. He intercepted a pass at the end of 1-on-1 drills, and was mobbed but his teammates. Butler has done a nice job setting an early tone for the secondary in the first three practices.
  • Tajae Sharpe looks bigger and more physical, and he had a nice day on Saturday. Sharpe got open and caught a touchdown pass on a long ball early.
  • Cornerbacks Adoree' Jackson had a nice break-up on a ball intended for Davis. Cornerback Kalan Reed got my attention with some nice break-ups as well.
  • Coach Mike Vrabel has strapped on a pad and worked with players the first three days of camp. On Saturday, he spent some time with pass rushers, including edge rusher Harold Landry.
  • Landry worked in place of Brian Orakpo, who was held out of the session. (Keep reading for more on Orakpo, and Landry).
  • The Titans kicked off team drills with a bang. Quarterback Marcus Mariota rolled out on play action, and connected with Davis on a deep ball. The crowd got worked up after that one. Davis has made some great plays in camp.
  • Receiver Darius Jennings continues to impress, and he got some reps with the first team group on Saturday. Jennings has caught a lot of passes already in camp, picking up where he left off in June.
  • There were too many mishandled snaps and footballs on the ground. Mariota had a botched exchange with center Ben Jones, and quarterback Blaine Gabbert couldn't handle one later.
  • I like the looks of tight end Luke Stocker, but he lost the ball when Butler knocked it away after he made a catch. Tight end Ethan Wolf dropped a pass across the middle.
  • Running back Dion Lewis continues to look like a nice weapon. He caught a flip pass from Mariota, and did a nice job getting extra yards on a running play after it looked like he was stuffed. Lewis dropped an easy on, too, however.
  • Undrafted linebacker Sharif Finch stepped up nicely to stop running back David Fluellen on one play. Finch is a good looking athlete.
  • I always enjoy watching the o-line take on pass rushers the first day the pads go on. And it's an entertaining drill every day the pads are on. Saturday's session didn't disappoint, and it was highlighted by tackle Taylor Lewan and Landry squaring off on multiple plays.
  • "What's up Harold?"," Lewan said to Landry as the rookie lined up across from him on the first play. At the snap, Lewan handled Landry, and he contained him again the second time they squared off as well. What I really liked seeing: Lewan giving Landry tips at the conclusion of each play. Landry later got a chance against tackle Tyler Marz, and Landry won that battle.
  • Finch showed up again in the pass rush drills, when defensive linemen Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones and Matt Dickerson all had impressive rushes as well. Guard Quinton Spain held his own during the drill.
  • Linebacker Jayon Brown wasn't messing around when tight end Tim Semisch caught a pass and tried to maneuver for extra yards. Brown flew into the picture, lowered his shoulder, and leveled Semisch, knocking him to the ground. 
  • I thought cornerback Tye Smith had a nice day. He was active and around the football. After practice, Vrabel complimented Smith for his play.
  • Receiver Devin Ross got open and caught a deep ball thrown by quarterback Luke Falk.
  • Outside linebacker Gimel President made a nice read on a play, and shut it down.
  • Safety Kendrick Lewis showed up several times on Saturday and broke up passes thrown in his direction. 
  • Landry finished practice on a high note, posting solid rushes on back-to-back plays in team drills. He looked like he was shot out of a cannon on one play as he raced toward Mariota.
  • Tight end Anthony Firkser made a really nice catch downfield on a ball thrown by Gabbert.
  • Orakpo did not practice on Saturday, but observed from the sideline in uniform, wearing a bucket hat. Vrabel he bumped shoulders with Stocker on Friday, and said he didn't think Orakpo's injury is serious.
  • Rookie linebacker Rashaan Evans left practice early with trainers. Vrabel he need to check on him, and speculated it could have been heat-related.
  • Tight end Delanie Walker was given the day off, and receiver Rishard Matthews didn't practice for the third straight day. Defensive linebacker Connor Flagel also didn't practice.
  • Tackle Jack Conklin, who's on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list, worked on a side field. Tight end Phillip Supernaw, also on PUP, was also a spectator.

Next practice: Sunday, 9:50 a.m.-noon.

The Titans take the field for Day 3 of training camp on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Donn Jones, Gary Glenn)