NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for practice No.7 of training camp on Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-Things were once again very competitive during an early 1-on-1 period. The highlights on offense: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2 catches), Josh Malone, Mason Kinsey (2), Dez Fitzpatrick (2), Geoff Swaim, Briley Moore, Brandon Lewis, Kyle Philips, Terry Godwin and Hassan Haskins all had catches. But defenders also made plays here, including three break-ups from safety Kevin Byard and stops by Shakur Brown, Greg Mabin (2), Tre Avery, A.J. Moore Jr, Theo Jackson, Terrell Bonds, Tre Swilling, Joshua Kalu and Kristian Fulton.
-The Titans spent a ton of time working in red zone periods on Thursday.
-Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a mostly solid day, competing 20-of-27 passes in the practice. But on his 85th pass of training camp, which was intended for tight end Austin Hooper, Tannehill was intercepted by Byard, who did a snow angel in the middle of the field. Tannehill is now 70-of-93 in training camp practices in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined.
-In the early team period red zone, Tannehill completed 3-of-4 passes, and he tucked the football and ran it in for a score. I notice receiver Robert Woods more and more in these periods, and he started this one off with a catch. Later in the session, Woods caught a short pass and extended the football over the goal line for a score.
-Quarterback Logan Woodside connected with tight end Chig Okonkwo for an early touchdown in a team period.
-Quarterback Malik Willis had a busy day, and he got a lot of reps. Willis threw a touchdown strike to tight end Briley Moore early. Later, in a team red zone period, Willis connected on scoring throws to Godwin, Malone and Moore. It was one of the rookie's most impressive periods so far in camp. Willis wasn't as sharp in a late two-minute period, however.
-Roger McCreary had a nice break-up on a ball intended for Philips, and Mabin later broke up a pass intended for Fitzpatrick. Moore had a nice break-up in a red zone period.
-Receiver Racey McMath kept some positive momentum with a touchdown catch on a ball thrown by Tannehill in a late team period. McMath beat Fulton on the play.
-Linebacker Zach Cunningham got the ball out on a ball intended for running back Dontrell Hilliard.
-During a 7-on-7 red zone period, Westbrook-Ikhine went up high to make a catch on a ball thrown by Tannehill, despite tight coverage from Fulton.
-Outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi batted down a Willis pass in a red zone period.
-Tannehill connected with Philips on a touchdown in a red zone period, as Philips got open with McCreary in coverage. Westbrook-Ikhine could be overheard yelling: "Great ball! Great catch!"
-When Tannehill threw the ball away – over the fence and toward the lake that surrounds the practice facility – General Manager Jon Robinson applauded him. "Good decision 1-7," he said. "We'll find more footballs."
-Burks caught a touchdown pass on a ball thrown by Woodside in a red zone period.
-Fitzpatrick added a late touchdown catch in a ball thrown by Tannehill.
-Kicker Randy Bullock was a perfect 8-of-8 kicking field goals, with makes of 26, 33, 33, 36, 41, 42, 45, 46. Bullock is now 39-of-41 in training camp.
-Officials from MTSU, including president Sidney McPhee and head coach Rick Stockstill, were on hand to announce the team is retiring the college jersey of Titans safety Kevin Byard, who starred at the school wearing No.20.
-Receiver Cody Hollister, cornerback Elijah Molden, linebacker Bud Dupree, center Ben Jones, tackle Taylor Lewan, defensive lineman Denico Autry and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons did not practice.
-Defensive lineman Larrell Murchison and offensive lineman Jamarco Jones left practice early with a trainer.
-Defensive back Terrell Bonds practiced with the team for the first time, decked out in No. 47.
-Offensive lineman Willie Wright practiced with the team for the first time, decked out in No. 68.
-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.
-Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk watched Thursday's practice from her perch above the recently rebranded Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
-Analyst Charles Davis, who will work the team's preseason contests on WKRN, attended Thursday's practice and spent time with coaches and players before and after the session. Davis and Titans play-by-play man Mike Keith will host a special training camp show that will air from 3-5 CT Friday on SIRIUSXM NFL Radio.
-Former Titans linebacker Tim Shaw watched Thursday's session from all over the practice field.
-Jeremy Fowler from ESPN attended Thursday's practice, and he also made the rounds before and after practice.
-Randy Barnes, who coached Titans GM Jon Robinson at Union City (TN) High School, attended Thursday's practice.
-Roughly 200 fans attended Tuesday's session, many of them military and community partners.
-Titans assistant coaches talked to reporters before practice, and I dropped in several clips below.
Next practice: Friday, 9:30 a.m.
