NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Day Eight of training camp is in the books for the Titans. The Titans signed autographs before the practice before hitting the field, and some players stuck around to sign after the session as well.
Here's a look at five things that stood out from the team's 90-minute practice at Nissan Stadium:
Mariota's day: Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota's Nissan Stadium debut started off a little unsteady. He was high on his first two throws and finished the first 7-on-7 period with just one completion in his first four attempts. But Mariota bounced back in the very next period, completing on 5-of-9 passes in a 1 vs. 1s period that included a quick hitter to receiver Kendall Wright and a nice ball across the middle to tight end Anthony Fasano. Later in practice, he connected with receiver Harry Douglas for a touchdown in a period near the goal line. On the day, Mariota completed 12-of-21 passes without an interception. He's now thrown 140 passes in 7-on-7 drills and team drills combined in eight training camp practices without an interception. Mariota has dodged a few bullets along the way, but there's no disputing he's off to a great start in training camp.
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Getting closer:** Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh had a chance to pick Mariota off twice. When Mariota threw high to Fasano, a diving Sensabaugh let the ball escape his grasp. Later, Sensabaugh had a chance to pick Mariota off again on a throw to Douglas when he jumped a route and made a nice play in the red zone, but he failed to close to the deal. Defenders were letting him hear about it. Mariota has had a few close calls during camp, but eight days in the defense is still looking for its first pick. Two Titans defenders had an INT – cornerback Josh Aubrey of quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, and cornerback Curtis Riley of Alex Tanney.
Showing up: Running back David Cobb has been playing catch-up in camp after missing a good chuck of the offseason with a quad injury, and he's struggled at times. But the fifth-round pick out of Minnesota had a nice day at the stadium on Saturday. Cobb received a handoff and bounced outside on one run, and finished in the end zone. Later, Cobb reached pay dirt on a short run after taking the handoff from the one-yard line. He made a good read and darted in without a lot of contact. Cobb needs to keep on a positive path to earn more playing time early in the season.
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Making noise:** Undrafted free agent Cody Riggs continues to get noticed by making big plays. Riggs, who played at Notre Dame, didn't have a pick, but he timed a hit perfectly on a ball thrown to receiver Tre McBride and blew the play up just as football arrived. It's the type of aggressive play coach Ken Whisenhunt loves to see. Riley, who played at Fresno State, had good timing on the play when he ended up with an interception. Cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson also had an impressive day. He stepped in and blew up a screen in the backfield, and he was also physical on a run play when he hit Cobb in the hole. Wreh-Wilson suffered an ankle injury late in practice, however. Veteran Perrish Cox made a nice aggressive play on the football early in practice.
Special teams: It's way too early to pick a favorite in the return game, but Jacoby Ford looked good on kickoff returns on Saturday. He took a kickoff, made a quick cut to his left, and broke into the open field. With his 4.3 speed, he would've been hard to catch. Punter Brett Kern and kicker Ryan Succop looked right at home at Nissan Stadium. Kern sent some punts booming in a special teams drills early in practice, and Succop converted his field goal attempt.
Titans players take the field for training camp on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 at Nissan Stadium. (Donn Jones Photography.com)
