NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for practice No.13 of training camp on Monday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The defense won the day on Monday, as defenders consistently broke up passes and forced incompletions. Defensive back Caleb Farley was around the ball a lot, breaking up back-to-back passes at one point. I noticed linebacker David Long Jr. with a pair a PBUs as well on a day the offense struggled in several periods.
-One of the biggest issues on offense was completing long throws downfield. On at least three occasions, deep balls from quarterback Ryan Tannehill to receiver Racey McMath failed to connect, as McMath got turned around on a few occasions. Tannehill also failed to connect with Treylon Burks on another deep ball.
-Tannehill finished the day 13-of-23 in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined. He was victimized by a number of drops. Two of Tannehill's best balls on Monday were completions to receiver Robert Woods. In 13 training camp practices, Tannehill is now 125-of-182 with two touchdowns in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined.
-This is the first practice in camp I charted all the throws for quarterback Malik Willis. It wasn't his best day, as Willis completed 7-of-22 passes in 7-on-7 and team periods combined and he was nearly intercepted twice.
-Logan Woodside didn't get a lot of reps, but his best throw a bullet to receiver Dez Fitzpatrick.
-Let's talk about the defense more. Linebacker Chance Campbell nearly picked off Willis on a ball intended for running back Trenton Cannon, and cornerback Greg Mabin nearly picked off Willis on a pass intended for receiver Terry Godwin.
-Campbell had a pair of break-ups in practice today, and cornerback Tre Swilling also got his hands on the football.
-Safety Kevin Byard broke up a Tannehill pass intended for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
-Cornerback Kristian Fulton was around the football on several plays, and had PBUs.
-Defensive lineman Jayden Peevy showed up in the backfield on a run by Hassan Haskins.
-The Titans worked in a late-game situation toward the end of practice, with this scenario: 1:20 left, ball at their own 25-yard line, no time outs. Tannehill drove the team into field goal range with completions to receivers Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Kyle Philips, tight end Austin Hooper and running back Julius Chestnut. Bullock kicked a field goal at the end. With Willis leading the 2s, the drive fizzled out short. Willis completed passes to Fitzpatrick, Haskins and Treylon Burks on the drive, but time ran out after several incompletions.
-Tight end Geoff Swaim had a nice block on outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi on an early run by Dontrell Hilliard.
-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel loved the rep below from receiver Racey McMath, and at the end he told the 6-3, 217-pound receiver he wants him to run like Derrick Henry.
-Kicker Randy Bullock didn't have a great day. Bullock had missed just three field goals in the first seven kicking periods of camp. He missed three field goals on Monday, going 5-of-8 in a period that included makes from 30, 33, 33, 33, and 37 and misses from 43 (wide left), 50 (right goalpost) and 56 (wide right). Later, Bullock was good from 51 yards, making him 6-of-9 for the day. It's worth noting punter Ryan Stonehouse was the holder today. Bullock is now 57-of-63 in training camp.
-Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips and Terry Godwin all fielded punts during a special teams period.
-Safety Amani Hooker, receiver Mason Kinsey, defensive lineman Denico Autry, and defensive backs Chris Jackson and Theo Jackson did not practice on Monday.
-Running back Derrick Henry, outside linebacker Harold Landry and defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons all went through periods of practice before heading over to the sand pit for additional work.
-Kicker Caleb Shudak and linebacker Monty Rice did not practice, as they're on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of camp. I did see Rice running on Monday.
-Former Oilers defensive back Cris Dishman was back at practice again on Monday.
-Roughly 100 fans attended Monday's session, mostly friends and family members of coaches and players.
-Titans assistant coaches talked to reporters before today's session and portions of those interviews are below.
Next practice: Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., with the Buccaneers.
