NASHVILLE – One week ago today, the Titans picked quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft.
Some of the Titans have already met Ward, while others have only seen him from afar.
On Thursday, four Titans veterans spoke to reporters during the early stages of the team's offseason program.
All were asked about Ward, from their thoughts on his play, to his potential.
Guard Peter Skoronski was asked what Ward needs to do to win over the offensive line.
"Nothing but his job," Skoronski said. "It's simple, just do what he has to do. We have faith in him obviously – he was picked No.1 for a reason. We have faith in him, and if he just works hard, which I trust he will, there's nothing magical (he has to do). Just doing your job and being accountable and being consistent, and that's all it will take. We have trust in him and that will only continue to build as we get to do stuff and get into camp."
Skoronski said he's watched Ward's highlights, and he's been impressed.
"The arm," Skoronski said of Ward. "Obviously he has a ton of experience under his belt, five years, which I think is a great thing. … He did an unbelievable job at Miami. So, excited to see how that translates and what he can bring to us and make us better."
While playing at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami, Ward developed into one of the nation's top players, and ultimately the top pick of the draft.
Ward traveled to Nashville last week for an introductory press conference, when he met more coaches and teammates, and familiarized himself more with the team.
He'll be back in Nashville at the end of next week for rookie minicamp.
Tight end Chig Okonkwo said the team is hopeful about what Ward can do for the team for years to come.
"You see all the great teams, they have quarterbacks who have been there for a long time," Okonkwo said. "With Cam coming in, we expect that from him, and he is definitely going to do it for us.
"He brings that element of a dawg – you have a dawg at that position. I've seen the viral video of him and Shedeur (Sanders) training and you see the things he says, the way he carries himself, he just has all the intangibles that you want at that position. And those are the things that really carry you at that position, because that's the hardest position to play in the league. So, you really have to have the mind for it."
Skoronski and Okonkwo said they've both met Ward briefly, Okonkwo in the cafeteria the day after Ward was drafted.
"Just a real chill, calm personality," Okonkwo said of Ward. "Calm dude. I think it's perfect to lead a team … We're all very excited for him to come in."
Veteran receiver Tyler Lockett, who signed with the Titans last week after playing his first 10 NFL seasons with the Seahawks, said he's followed Ward closely.
Lockett is good friends with former Seahawks and Titans safety Quandre Diggs, Ward's cousin.
Lockett called Diggs Ward's "No.1 fan." Lockett said Diggs put him in a group message with Ward, and he's been able to talk to him.
"I am very excited about Cam being able to come on board," Lockett said. "When I was in Seattle, I got a chance to watch him a lot when he was at Washington State. Me and Quandre Diggs are best friends, and have been best friends for a while, and he always used to talk to me about his cousin, even when he was leaving Incarnate Word, and going to Washington State, before Miami. Obviously being in Seattle, I got a chance to see his highlights all the time and saw him do amazing things there and then at Miami. So, just being able to team up with him and do my part, I am definitely excited for that."
"He's definitely a cool dude, and super eager," Lockett said of Ward. "He cares a lot about being great, and cares a lot about football."
New Titans safety Xavier Woods, who signed with the team in March after playing previously with the Cowboys, Vikings and Panthers, was in Carolina when the team drafted quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick.
Woods said the situation in Tennessee is different with Ward.
"Here, Cam is coming to a coaching staff that has been here, … with a plan already in place since (Brian Callahan) has been here," Woods said. "He has guys that know the system already.
"He is going to have some consistency, and he has a coaching staff that has been here. So, (he has to) rely on that, and rely on the vets that you have in the quarterback room, the receiver room."
