NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field at Nissan Stadium on Friday for the sixth practice of training camp open to media.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The public announcer worked the practice like a game day, announcing the names of the players, and the result of the plays. The video board was in operation, and music was played. And yes, there was piped in crowd noise. What did it sound like? Well, it was more like a murmur than a rowdy, fired-up crowd on game days.
-Other than the 7-on-7 periods, the Titans went unscripted during the practice. Outside linebacker coach Shane Bowen was on the headset for the defensive play-calling today, Titans coach Mike Vrabel said, and Arthur Smith was at the controls for the offense.
-At the start, the Titans worked in a scrimmage-like format, with the first-team and second-team offense taking turns directing drives. The team also worked in a goal-line period, and situational periods.
-Quarterback Ryan Tannehill connected with receiver Corey Davis for a 25-plus yard gain on the first team offense's first possession and running back Derrick Henry turned in some nice runs. The defense made several nice plays on that opening possession, too. Linebacker Rashaan Evans blew up a screen pass to Henry, and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons busted into the backfield to stop Henry for no gain. Linebacker Jayon Brown was in a position to stop Henry for a short gain on another play.
-When quarterback Logan Woodside took over, the best play of the drive was a tuck and run by Woodside for what would have been a nice gain. But the drive was marred by an incompletion to receiver Cameron Batson, and a drop by receiver Kalif Raymond. Running back Darrynton Evans had a pair of runs on the drive, and defensive lineman Jack Crawford, who just practiced for the first time on Thursday, made a nice defensive stop while getting Evans out of bounds.
-Receiver Corey Davis made the biggest play of the first team offense's second possession with a catch across the middle on a ball thrown by Tannehill. But the defense rose up here, as cornerback Malcolm Butler got in the backfield in a hurry for a sack, and safety Amani Hooker was in the right place to stop Evans for a short gain on another run. Tight end Jonnu Smith had a catch on the second possession, and Evans added a nice run.
-Running back Senorise Perry provided the biggest highlight of the second possession for the back-ups, as he ripped off a nice run. But receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine had a drop on this possession, and linebacker Wyatt Ray stepped up for a stop.
-Darrynton Evans had a busy day, as he caught passes and ran the ball on the third possession with Tannehill on the field. Tannehill connected with receiver Adam Humphries on this drive, and Tannehill scrambled for a first down as well.
-Receiver A.J. Brown got open and caught a bullet from Tannehill on the third possession, then followed that up with a catch on a screen. Linebacker Harold Landry was in the vicinity to make a play for a short gain on the screen, however.
-Quarterback Trevor Siemian got some work on another drive that featured a lot of runs.
-During a situation period directed by Tannehill, the quarterback connected with receiver Adam Humphries for a first down on a 3rd and 7 play, and later he connected with A.J. Brown for a 15-yard gain on another 3rd and 7. Cornerback Adoree' Jackson made a nice play to keep Humphries short after a catch on 4th and 2, and safety Kevin Byard and Jackson were in good coverage to keep a deep Tannehill pass from finding Brown on a 3rd and 7.
-Defensive back Kareem Orr intercepted Woodside during a team situational period, and defensive back Joshua Kalu nearly had an interception himself on a Woodside throw intended for tight end Anthony Firkser. Woodside connected with running back Senorise Perry and receiver Kalif Raymond in the period, and he also tucked the ball and ran on another occasion.
-During a team goal-line period, Tannehill completed a touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Firkser, a short pass to receiver Corey Davis, and a pair of short completions to running back Cameron Scarlett. Linebacker Jayon Brown was in a position to blow up one of the throws to Scarlett, however.
-In another team goalline period, Woodside completed touchdown passes to receiver Cody Hollister and Scarlett, and a short pass to fullback Khari Blasingame. Linebacker David Long Jr. was in good position to defend on the Blasingame completion.
-Defensive lineman Larrell Murchison busted through the line to make a nice stop on a run by Marcus Marshall.
-In a 7-on-7 period directed Tannehill, he completed two passes to tight end Jonnu Smith, one to receiver Corey Davis, and one to tight end MyCole Pruitt.
-In a 7-on-7 period run by Woodside, he completed passes to tight end Anthony Firkser, receiver Kalif Raymond, receiver Rashard Davis, and Pruitt.
-In a 7-on-7 period run by Siemian, he completed passes to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and tight end Tommy Hudson.
-Kicker Greg Joseph capped off a drive with a made field goal, and he was 4-of-5 in a team field goal period. He's now 24-of-26 during the open practices during camp. Kicker Tucker McCann was a perfect 5-of-5, with made field goals of 50 and 55 yards, and he's now 22-of-25 in the open periods of practice.
-Safety Kenny Vaccaro, linebacker Kamalei Correa and defensive back Kareem Orr all returned to practice on Friday.
-Guard Rodger Saffold and linebacker Jamal Davis did not practice on Friday.
-Running back Derrick Henry had his work scaled back in the latter portion of practice.
-Running back Darrynton Evans visited with a trainer during the latter stages of practice before heading to the locker room.
-Linebacker Vic Beasley and linebacker Josh Smith still aren't practicing. Beasley remains on the Non-Football injury list, and Smith remain on the team's Reserve-COVID 19 list.
Next practice: Sunday, 12:35 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
Titans players take the field for training camp on Friday at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Donald Page)