NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Monday at Vanderbilt Health Football Clinic.
Here's a look at 10 observations from Day 4 of training camp:
-Titans quarterback Cam Ward had some really nice moments in Monday's session, when he completed his first four passes and seven of his first eight. Ward threw two early bullets across the middle to Wan'Dale Robinson, and he connected with receiver Calvin Ridley downfield just three plays in that got the crowd excited. But Ward also threw two interceptions when he tried to connect with targets while throwing across his body. Coach Robert Saleh let Ward off the hook for one of them, crediting the defender. The reality is both were plays that would be offensive killers in games, and Ward needs to avoid the mistakes. I had Ward 10-of-14 on the day, with some really nice throws, and, yes, the two picks. Ward is 46-of-76 with three interceptions so far in camp.
-The pads came on for the first time on Monday, and it didn't take long for things to get feisty. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and tackle JC Latham had to be separated in a big group of players during a dustup after the second play from scrimmage, a Tyjae Spears run. On this day, there were no punches thrown after this incident, or any others, but things were a little more intense.
-Safety Amani Hooker was the first defender to intercept Ward, when he was trying to connect with Robinson for the third time in four plays. Hooker read it beautifully, and would've taken it to the house for a pick-6. A play earlier, Hooker made another heads-up play when he knocked the ball out of Robinson's hands as he was streaking downfield. Robinson jumped on it, but Hooker stopped his momentum.
-Ridley had his best day of camp on Monday. In addition to his gain of 30-plus yards early, Ridley also made a nice spinning catch later in practice near the goal line, on another ball thrown by Ward. Ridley, who had two catches on the day, was seen chatting extensively with rookie Carnell Tate during one break in the action, presumably giving him some advice and encouragement.
-I've written about linebacker James Williams Sr. in here several times this offseason, because he's made plays. I noticed Williams several times again on Monday because he was around the ball. Williams stuffed Tyjae Spears on an early run, and he later had a pass break-up downfield. Saleh said Williams lost 20 pounds this offseason in an effort to be better suited for his style of defense, and Williams looks faster.
-Defensive Jermaine Johnson II had the second interception of the day, when he dropped and stepped in front of a Ward pas thrown across the middle. Saleh called it an elite play, and it sure looked like it.
-The defense made a number of plays on Monday. In addition to the two picks, and the plays from Williams, I had Alontae Taylor with a PBU, and Solomon Thomas with a batted ball at the line of scrimmage. Hooker and cornerback Micah Robinson forced fumbles that were recorded by the offense, and I saw a bunch of defenders step up to stop running plays at the line of scrimmage. I wrote down linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.'s name several times.
-Elic Ayomanor continues to make plays for the offense. Ayomanor got behind Micah Robinson and caught a touchdown pass, and a few plays later he drew a DPI from Robinson as he headed toward the end zone, and the football, a few plays later. I had Ayomanor with three catches on the day, and I have him with 12 catches through the first four days of camp. No receiver has more, although Spears also has 12.
-It was cool seeing rookie running back Nick Singleton in pads for the first time, and I thought he did a nice job of fighting for extra yards after contact while also showing off some nice moves. I jotted down the No. 32 on several occasions on Monday.
-Quarterback Mitch Trubisky went 8-of-10 on the day, his best pass the touchdown toss to Ayomanor. Quarterback Will Levis went 4-of-7, and connected with receiver Hank Beatty on a play that ended up in the end zone because of Beatty's shiftiness, and speed, after catching a short toss. QB Hendon Hooker did not throw a pass in team drills today, and there was no 7-on-7 work.
