NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field on Saturday for the fourth day of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-Receiver Josh Reynolds, tackle Paul Adams and tight end Geoff Swaim did not practice.
-The Titans had two players leave practice early – tight end Briley Moore, and outside linebacker Derick Roberson. The injury to Moore didn't look good, as he was carted off the field with a leg injury. Roberson, meanwhile, walked off on his own power with a trainer. Earlier in the session, he got my attention with a nice rush in team drills.
-Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was the defensive player of the day. Jenkins intercepted quarterback Ryan Tannehill twice – once in team drills, and later in a 7-on-7 period. Jenkins stepped in front of receiver Fred Brown in the first pick, and later he made a nice play on the ball to grab his second pick of the day. Jenkins went streaking the other way following his second pick, and he was joined by some vocal, fired-up defenders.
-Cornerback Breon Borders intercepted quarterback Logan Woodside for his second interception in as many days. Borders continues to get himself noticed in camp.
-The defense set the tone in practice, and really outperformed the offense on Saturday. Keep in mind running back Derrick Henry and receiver Julio Jones haven't been working in team drills, but the defense has been feisty nonetheless.
-Safety Brady Breeze made really nice breakup in a team drill, getting his left hand on a Tannehill pass intended for receiver Kalija Lipscomb.
-The best offensive play of the day was made by receiver Racey McMath, who went up high to catch a DeShone Kizer pass, with cornerback Greg Mabin defending. I've really liked the looks of McMath since Day 1, and after practice Titans receiver A.J. Brown had some high praise for the sixth-round pick from LSU.
-Speaking of Brown, he's been pretty much impossible to guard early in camp. He looks, and feels, great.
-The Titans have practiced in 90-plus degree weather four days in a row, and some guys are starting to get testy. On two separate occasions on Saturday players had to be separated, the most notable dispute coming between defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and offensive linemen David Quessenberry and Nate Davis. This spat was more verbal than physical, but they might've come to blows if not for some peacemakers.
-On the play following the tussle, the Titans offense got the defense on a beautifully executed screen. Center Ben Jones got so excited he intentionally bumped into head coach Mike Vrabel on the way back to the line of scrimmage after the play. Vrabel appeared only slightly amused.
-Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been more consistent catching the football so far in camp. He made a nice sideline grab on Saturday, with cornerback Kristian Fulton defending. Coaches challenged Fulton to play more aggressively after the play.
-Rookie receiver Dez Fitzpatrick made a really nice adjustment on a route, shifting his body, and in stride caught a pass from quarterback Logan Woodside and turned it upfield. Fitzpatrick showed some nice speed with the ball in his hands, and in a game might've scored from plus-60 yards out.
-Defensive back Greg Mabin had a nice break-up on a ball intended for McMath in a team period, and cornerback Maurice Smith also broke up a pass intended for tight end Miller Forristall.
-Tannehill connected with receiver Marcus Johnson on a crossing route in a team period.
-It was only a so-so day for Tannehill, who missed some open receivers deep in a 7-on-7 period in addition to his two interceptions on the day.
-Woodside connected with receivers Fred Brown and Chester Rogers in a team period, but he overthrew Johnson.
-The kickers both had opportunities, with mixed results. Tucker McCann missed two of his first three kicks, and finished 4-of-6, closing with makes of 48 and 50. Blake Haubeil was 5-of-6, making kicks of 33, 37, 42, 35 and 48, with a miss from 50 yards. McCann is 12-of-16 so far in camp, while Haubeil is now 12-of-15.
-Running backs Darrynton Evans and Brian Hill continue to get a lot of work. Evans has looked fluid, but Hill had the most explosive run of the day, and it drew quite a reaction from some of the players on offense.
-Receiver Cameron Batson made a really nice catch in an early 1-on-1 period, with defensive back Chris Jackson in tight coverage.
-Veteran tight end Luke Stocker, signed earlier today, was on the practice field decked out in No. 85.
-The Titans hosted players from four high school teams – Maplewood, Blackman, Hillsboro, and Fairview girls flag - as part of "Back Home Saturday" event. Former Titans linebacker Gerald McRath, who serves as co-defensive coordinator at Maplewood, was on hand with roughly 25 players from Maplewood.
Next practice: Monday, 9:30 a.m.
