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Titans QB Marcus Mariota Excited About Start of Camp, and What's Ahead

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At the end of June's minicamp, Marcus Mariota began counting the days until training camp.

And in his mind, time seemed to stand still.

"I was very excited," Mariota said on Friday. "I was sitting at home for about a week, and you know, I had to get out of there. It was hard for me. I was sitting on my parents couch, and then I was like, "You know, Mom, it's time to get going."

The Titans quarterback is going now.

The Titans wrapped up their second day of training camp on Friday, and now it's on in preparation for the preseason opener against Green Bay on August 9, and the regular season opener at Miami on September 9.

After some turbulence on Thursday on Day One, things looked smoother for the offense on Friday. Mariota connected on big throws to a number of his receivers, with Corey Davis standing out most in the group.

"Being out here as a whole team, it's been awesome these first couple of days," Mariota said. "We understand that it's a process. It takes time, but every single day we're trying to get better and trying to improve."

It's been a busy, and productive offseason for Mariota, heading into his fourth NFL season.

Unlike last offseason, when he spent a good part of his time rehabbing, Mariota had plenty of time to work with his new teammates, and coaching staff. When he was away from the facility, he organized workouts with his receivers and tight ends, in California, and in Nashville.

He's gained greater chemistry with his targets along the way.

"It just comes down to practice," Mariota said. "If you're deliberate in practice, you focus on the timing, the rhythm, it doesn't matter who it is. Whether it's Corey (Davis), whether it's Taywan (Taylor), Tajaé (Sharpe). I mean you can go down the list. It's just important as we go through camp that everybody's on the same page and communicating so that when it comes to the season, we're good to go."

The Titans have plenty of work to do over the next month.

Mariota is still getting comfortable with new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, and the new offense.

But he's happy football is back. And for the opportunity to improve.

"Every year I kind of get like that when it starts to roll around in July," Mariota said. "It's such a blessing to play a game that you love, and that excitement year in and year out is something that I look forward to.

"To have the opportunity to go out there and get reps physically, it's so pivotal for me. You know, I'm definitely a reps guy. I'm definitely a mental guy, so when I'm out there, and I get the opportunity to practice, it means the world to me, and I think that being healthy has just given me that opportunity."

The Titans take the field for Day 2 of training camp on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Donn Jones, Gary Glenn, AP)