NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans hit the field at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Friday for the first day of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-Rookie receiver A.J. Brown and running back Derrick Henry left practice early and did not return. Titans coach Mike Vrabel didn't seem too concerned with their setbacks and called them "day to day." Brown slipped while running a route and headed to the locker room with a trainer.
-Dennis Kelly worked with the first group at left tackle in the first practice of camp, while Jack Conklin worked with the 1s at right tackle. Taylor Lewan worked with the 2s at left tackle, and it was interesting to see Jamil Douglas get so much work with the 1s at left guard.
-Marcus Mariota, David Fluellen, Cameron Batson and Matt Dickerson were recognized by Vrabel as the team's top offseason performers, which speaks to their work in the weight room and conditioning.
-Defensive linemen Jurrell Casey and Jeffery Simmons worked on a side field, alongside tight end Jonnu Smith. Casey and Smith are on PUP, and Simmons is on the team's Non-Football Injury list.
-Outside linebacker Cameron Wake wore football pants on the first day, while the rest of his teammates were in shorts. Saying Wake looks to be in great shape at the start of training camp is a huge understatement.
-The Titans worked in a one-on-one drill near the goal line with receivers and defensive backs right out of the gate. Receiver Adam Humphries proved nearly impossible to cover, catching passes on all three of his targets. Humphries is shifty and fast, and a pain in the rear for DBs to cover. Receiver Kalif Raymond also got open and made catches on his three opportunities. Receivers Tajae Sharpe, Cameron Batson, Darius Jennings and Joseph Parker also made TD grabs in the drill. I jotted down cornerback Adoree' Jackson's name after a nice break-up.
-Receiver Corey Davis made the most athletic play of the aforementioned drill, going up high to make a catch. I nearly had a great video of the catch, but I bailed early because I thought the football was going to hit me in the head. Davis saved me by catching it, but my video was shaky.
-Receiver Taywan Taylor later made the catch of the day, a sliding grab on the sideline on a ball thrown by Mariota.
-Mariota made some nice throws, but he also sailed a few on Day One. After the session he talked about where he's landed with his weight gain. Mariota said he'll begin the season in the 225-230 range after playing last season in the 215-220 range.
-Davis made another nice sideline grab when the offense moved into a team period.
-Tight end Delanie Walker, limited during some of the offseason work, looked good on Day One. Mariota flipped a ball to Walker on one play, and he made some nice moves. Walker later made a diving catch for a touchdown in a red zone period.
-Quarterback Ryan Tannehill found himself under pressure and had to throw the ball away when linebacker LaTroy Lewis busted off the edge on a nice rush.
-Ryan Hewitt got my attention in his first practice as a Titan. Signed in June, Hewitt lined up at fullback and tight end, and he appeared to be in the right place when I watched him. He made a really nice block on one running play where Dalyn Dawkins broke free and into the open field. Hewitt did let a pass go off his hands later in practice.
-With Henry sidelined, running back Dion Lewis got a lot of work.
-I noticed linebacker Harold Landry on several plays on Friday, on run defense and rushing the quarterback.
-Humphries, Jackson and Batson all lined up to catch punts during a special teams period.
-The Titans worked a good deal in the red zone. During a period later in practice, the defense won the drill. Kenny Vaccaro was waiting for Mariota when he was forced to tuck the ball and run, and Mariota threw high to receiver Tajae Sharpe on another play. Cornerback LeShaun Sims made a nice break-up on a ball intended for Darius Jennings.
-At the end of practice, tight end MyCole Pruitt caught a touchdown pass thrown by Mariota, and tight end Anthony Firkser was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass thrown by Tannehill.
Next practice: Saturday, 9:50 a.m.-noon (Open to fans).
