NASHVILLE – Cam Ward had been counting the days until training camp.
On Wednesday, the Titans rookie quarterback began, on Day 1.
"I'm real excited," Ward said, "especially transitioning from one level to the next level. I'm excited to get a new atmosphere – new teammates, new coaching staff, and finally be able to put the pads on next week and doing things full speed."
Ward completed his first four passes of the day on Wednesday in the 7-on-7 period, and he finished that period 7-of-8.
Ward then went 5-of-9 in the team period, making him 12-of-17 on the day.
Coach Brian Callahan said the plan is for Ward to get the bulk of the first team reps in training camp practices as the team aims to prepare him to be the starter in Week One.
"For the quarterback position in general, it's a growth everyday especially for a young player," Callahan said regarding Ward's improvement. "There's a lot of things that I thought he handled really, really well in the spring. And it's carrying over those things you've learned and applying them in a little bit more intense setting. And now we get a chance to actually go play a little football, play against some different schemes. His development is a daily process and there's going to be things that we got to correct every day and there's going to be things that he's going to do really well every day that we're going to try to continue those things.
"So, every single day I think is going to be an opportunity for development for him, and I'm looking forward to it."
Selected first overall in the NFL Draft, Ward described Wednesday's practice as "mid" for the offense.
He was high on a throw to receive Calvin Ridley, and he missed a few other throws.
Overall, though, it wasn't a bad start.
After OTAs and minicamp, Wednesday was the start of the next phase for Ward and the Titans, as training camp is now under way.
"I have been waiting on the opportunity," Ward said. "I am blessed – not a lot of people get to do what they love. So I feel like any time I wake up and get to step on the field I am excited, whether it's a good day or a bad day. You just have to take the wins with the losses."
