NASHVILLE – The Titans kicked off training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Wednesday.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The offense started with a bang, as quarterback Ryan Tannehill connected on back-to-back deep balls in the initial 7-on-7 period. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught the first one, as he raced past cornerback Kristian Fulton. On the very next play receiver Treylon Burks got behind Fulton again. More on Burks in just a few lines.
-Tannehill couldn't have started any better. I charted every one of his throws in the 7-on-7 and the team periods, and he was a perfect 11-of-11.
-It was a good day for Burks, the team's first-round pick who was the subject of a lot of chatter this offseason because of issues with his asthma, and conditioning. Burks got open deep on the second play of the practice, and he made a diving catch. Later in the session, Burks caught two more passes, including a bullet in the middle of the field on a ball thrown by Logan Woodside. After practice, Burks said he feels good while also saying he dropped about 5-6 pounds this offseason.
-Any speculation about defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons went away quickly, as Simmons went through practice on Day 1. Simmons declined to answer any questions about his contract situation. He did say he feels great, having shed about 5-6 pounds himself since last season.
-Receiver Robert Woods and cornerback Caleb Farley both practiced without the knee braces they'd been seen in during OTAs and the minicamp. Farley actually had his knee brace on at the start, but he took it off.
-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel announced the team's offseason awards, and they went to the following players: Dillon Radunz, Tory Carter, Dez Fitzpatrick, Caleb Farley, Amani Hooker and DeMarcus Walker.
-Running back Derrick Henry looked good. Henry's best run during practice came when he took a handoff from Tannehill, made a cut to his right, and then raced for what might have been a touchdown in a team period. After practice, Henry raced his little girl…
-Cornerback Roger McCreary had the best defensive play of the day when he broke up a Woodside pass intended for receiver Cody Hollister on the sideline.
-Linebacker Joe Jones also made a nice play on defense, as he knocked the ball loose from running back Julius Chestnut before recovering it as well.
-Tight end Chig Okonkwo caught three passes in the first session, all from Tannehill.
-In the 7-on-7 early, Westbrook-Ikhine, Burks (2), Hollister (2), Okonkwo and Mason Kinsey all caught passes from Tannehill.
-Woodside connected on a pair of short passes to Jordan Wilkins, and another short one to Kyle Philips, in the early 7-on-7 period.
-Malik Willis was a perfect 4-of-4 in the early 7-on-7, connecting with Reggie Roberson, Philips, tight end Thomas Odukoya and receiver Brandon Lewis.
-After catching the first pass in the 7-on-7, Westbrook-Ikhine also caught the first pass in team drills.
-Kicker Randy Bullock was a perfect 8-of-8 in the kicking period, making kicks from 29, 33, 37, 42, 43, 44, 48, and 50 yards.
-Offensive lineman Jordan Roos showed up with the most interesting haircut, a mohawk with long hair flowing in the back.
-Defensive back Joshua Kalu, signed back to the team recently, is now wearing No.28.
-Kicker Caleb Shudak, linebacker Monty Rice and tight end Tommy Hudson did not practice, as they're on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of camp.
Next practice: Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
