NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for practice No.16 of training camp on Monday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The Titans had a competitive 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 period for receivers/tight ends and defensive backs right out of the gate, and it started with a beautiful connection between quarterback Ryan Tannehill and receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who fought off cornerback Kristian Fulton for the football. During the 1-on-1 period, receiver Kyle Philips, receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, tight end Geoff Swaim, tight end David Wells, and tight end Austin Hooper all had catches while safety Kevin Byard, cornerback Greg Mabin (2), cornerback Tre Avery, defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. all had break-ups. In the 2-on-2 period, Philips, receiver Robert Woods, Westbrook-Ikhine and Mason Kinsey all had catches, while Dez Fitzpatrick had a drop.
-At the end of the 2-on-2 period, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel called for the "best two" on offense and defense for one play. The offense sent out Woods and Philips, while the defense sent out Byard and Fulton. The defense won the drill, as a Tannehill pass attempt to Woods fell incomplete. Woods and Philips then did push-ups as punishment.
-Tannehill completed 9-of-16 passes in the session in 7-on-7 and team periods combined, and he's now 172-of-250 in those two periods combined during camp. Tannehill got hot during a 7-on-7 red zone period, completing passes to Hooper, running back Hassan Haskins and then Philips in the corner of the end zone. Later in the period, Tannehill connected with tight end Chig Okonkwo for a score, before completing touchdown tosses to Haskins and Westbrook-Ikhine.
-Westbrook-Ikhine had a good day. He caught passes in just about every period, and he did so in a physical manner.
-Receiver Racey McMath caught touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone in a team period, on a ball thrown by Tannehill.
-Malik Willis connected with Philips for a score in an early team period, and he also connected with running back Dontrell Hilliard for a score in 7-on-7s.
-Logan Woodside connected with Haskins for a touchdown in the same period.
-Cornerback Roger McCreary had a nice break-up in a 7-on-7 red zone period, but he wasn't happy with himself wen he allowed receiver Cody Hollister to get open in a two-minute period.
-Fitzpatrick made a really nice catch for a score in a team period on a nice ball from Woodside.
-Safety Amani Hooker had a nice break-up in a team period on a ball thrown by Tannehill intended for Okonkwo.
-The Titans worked in a two-minute period, and drives led by Tannehill and Willis both ended with disappointing results – and no points. After linebacker David Long Jr. broke up a Tannehill pass intended for Woods, Tannehill completed passes to Hooper, Westbrook-Ikhine and Hilliard. But the drive fizzled out and ended on back-to-back drops by Hilliard and Hollister. The next drive, led by Willis, included incompletions on 4 of the 7 throws. Mabin, who had a nice day, broke up a pass on the possession.
-Vrabel said the Titans "shuffled some guys around" on the offensive line on Monday after being asked about Dillon Radunz working at guard in the session.
-Running back Derrick Henry took part in individual drills on Monday before moving into the sand pit for additional work.
-During a punt return period, Mason Kinsey, Kyle Philips and Treylon Burks all fielded punts.
-Defensive lineman Denico Autry, guard Jamarco Jones, running back Trenton Cannon, offensive lineman Christian DiLauro, tight end Tommy Hudson, defensive lineman Kevin Strong and defensive back Josh Kalu did not practice.
-Several players returned to practice at least in some fashion on Monday, and the group included guard Nate Davis, cornerback Elijah Molden, defensive back Theo Jackson, linebacker Dylan Cole and defensive back Chris Jackson. Davis went inside early, and others were limited.
-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.
-Former Vanderbilt football communications director Larry Leathers attended Monday's practice, and spent time with members of the media. Leathers also chatted with Titans linebacker Zach Cunningham after practice.
-The Titans aren't scheduled to practice on Tuesday.
-Vrabel said on Monday the team will practice the Cardinals on Wednesday only – not Wednesday and Thursday as initially scheduled.
Next practice: Wednesday, 9:30 vs the Cardinals.
