NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for Day 4 of training camp on Saturday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-Things got a little feisty on two occasions Saturday, and guard Nate Davis was involved both times. Davis and defensive lineman Teair Tart had to be separated after some jawing, along with some pushing and shoving, during an early team period. Later, Davis and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons got into a mini-skirmish. It perhaps set the stage for Monday, when the team will practice in pads for the first time in camp.
-I thought the DBs were especially feisty in the 1-on-1s with the receivers on Saturday. While Treylon Burks fought through contact and made another physical catch while working against cornerback Roger McCreary, several defensive backs held their own and made plays on Saturday, including Chris Jackson and Kristian Fulton. Tre Swilling and Shakur Brown also made plays. I included this video of nearly two minutes of one-on-ones below. You'll notice receiver Josh Malone made a nice juggling catch on a deep ball.
-While McCreary has been the victim in some of the videos posted in recent days, there's no need to worry about him. He's been scrappy and relentless, and you can see on the video below how well he did defending a deep ball thrown to receiver Nick Wesbrook-Ikhine.
-Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 11-of-15 passes in 7-on-7 and team drills combined, and he's now 34-of-40 without an interception so far in training camp in those periods. One of Tannehill's passes on Saturday was dropped by Mason Kinsey, and another one was batted down at the line of scrimmage by Simmons.
-The play by Simmons was crucial for the defense, as Tannehill was eyeing an open Burks.
-Titans safety Kevin Byard also had a nice break-up on a ball intended for tight end Austin Hooper.
-The biggest offensive highlight of the day on Saturday was a deep ball caught by receiver Robert Woods, who went up high with cornerback Caleb Farley on his hip. Woods is settling in more each day. Check out the video below.
-In the final team period, Westbrook-Ikhine made a really tough catch with McCreary defending. I mentioned earlier in the 1-on-1s that McCreary got the ball on when NWI was trying to haul in a deep ball.
-Quarterback Logan Woodside and receiver Kyle Philips combined for a nice highlight, as Philips caught a deep sideline pass during a team period. Philips has shown a knack for getting open early.
-Titans Coach Mike Vrabel has talked a lot about rookie quarterback Malik Willis and his timing, saying it needs to improve. This was on full display on Saturday, as Willis failed to connect on three straight plays during a 7-on-7 period. Willis misfired on back-to-back throws to receiver Reggie Roberson Jr. and Terry Godwin after tucking the ball and running when he couldn't find an open receiver on another play. Willis had to tuck it and run on yet another play later in practice because he couldn't find an open receiver.
-Roberson is making a nice impression early in camp. The former SMU receiver has done what coaches and GMs like most: Get open and catch the football.
-Farley has been around the football more and more, and he made a nice play defending against Dez Fitzpatrick during a 7-on-7 period.
-During a busy 7-on-7, Tannehill connected with tight end Austin Hooper, running back Derrick Henry, running back Dontrell Hilliard, tight end Geoff Swaim and Mason Kinsey, in addition to the deep ball to Woods.
-Tight end Thomas Odukoya, who caught three passes during a 7-on-7 on Friday, had a bad drop on Saturday.
-The Titans defense forced Hilliard into a fumble on one play in the middle of the field, and the Titans offense got an errant snap from center Daniel Munyer on a snap to Tannehill that was recover by safety Amani Hooker.
-When the Titans worked in the return game, Mason Kinsey, Kyle Philips, Terry Godwin, Brandon Lewis and Burks all fielded punts.
-Center Ben Jones and defensive back Elijah Molden did not practice. Molden went off hobbled earlier in the week.
-Approximately 300 fans were on hand for Saturday's practice. Fans who managed to get tickets when they were made available earlier this month attended the session, along with members of the Ravenwood High and Metro Nashville girls flag football team. Family members of players and coaches were also at today's session.
-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: Monday, 9:30 a.m.
