Observations From Practice Day 7 at Titans Camp on Wednesday

Aug 04, 2021 at 02:04 PM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field on Wednesday for their seventh practice of training camp.

Here's a look at what stood out:

What goes up … 🏈@1kalwaysopen_ @Titans pic.twitter.com/0ceK8vVZV5
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

-The Titans practiced in full pads for the second day of camp.

-The format for Wednesday's practice was different compared to the first six days of camp. Instead of working a lot in 7-on-7s, 1-on-1s and other periods, the team spent the bulk of the session in two Team "Call It" periods, working with the first and second team groups on each side of the ball. The offense was given an opportunity to try and move the football down field before being stopped. The defense stiffened up and forced field goals on all but one drive.

-On the one possession that produced a touchdown by the offense, running back Darrynton Evans busted through the hole and raced into the end zone on a second-and-goal play from the seven-yard line. Evans was credited with a touchdown, but linebacker Jayon Brown was closing strong on the play, and in a game, might've stopped him just short of the goal-line. In the non-tackling period, Brown let up.

-Safety Brady Breeze was sent inside early by Titans head coach Mike Vrabel for not letting up. Here's what happened: Toward the end of practice, quarterback DeShone Kizer dropped back in the pocket, and then threw a pass into the middle of the field to receiver Dez Fitzpatrick. Lined up deep, Breeze headed toward Fitzpatrick as he was zeroing in on the football and extending his arms to catch the ball in front of him. Any contact in that situation would've been too much for Vrabel, who was visibly upset with Breeze for his trek toward Fitzpatrick. Vrabel didn't hesitate to send Breeze inside before practice officially ended a few minutes later. Vrabel was asked about the incident after practice, and he gave this explanation:

A visibly upset @Titans HC Mike Vrabel sent rookie safety @BradyBreeze inside early during Wednesday’s practice.
He explains why here …

🎥 pic.twitter.com/sWzGsSFoa2
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

-Vrabel said the "Julio Watch" will continue after the veteran receiver missed his second straight practice on Wednesday. Julio Jones left Monday's session after landing awkwardly, and Vrabel indicated he might not practice a whole lot during training camp. Vrabel gave no indication on when Jones might practice next.

-I noticed rookie linebacker Monty Rice more on Wednesday than any other day in training camp so far. Rice, a third-round pick from Georgia, showed up with several run stops, and he made a nice play in coverage as well. Later in practice, Rice even put some pressure on Kizer on a rush.

6️⃣0️⃣ seconds with LB Monty Rice (@RiceMonty) of @GeorgiaFootball on Wednesday at @Titans camp.

WATCH 🎥 pic.twitter.com/pyY01SYXoq
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

-Defensive lineman Teair Tart didn't waste any time getting into the fray, as he jumped into the hole to stop an early run by Evans.

-Quarterback Ryan Tannehill connected with receiver A.J. Brown on a pass across the middle that might've produced a score in a game. The play was blown dead as cornerback Kristian Fulton converged on Brown, but we've all seen him break tackles in open space. Personally, I think he would've reached the end zone on what would've been a 60-plus yard score.

Quick peek at @1kalwaysopen_ at @Titans camp. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/m83MwpfP3t
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

-Tannehill connected on throws to receivers Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Marcus Johnson in two early periods, along with a completion to tight end Tommy Hudson.

-Hudson had at least three catches in Wednesday's practice, and Johnson had two.

4️⃣0️⃣ seconds of @Titans receivers on Wednesday. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/n2A5LKhVmO
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

-The Titans have dealt with some poor center-to-QB exchanges in camp, and the issues haven't been completely solved. A snap from center Daniel Munyer to quarterback Logan Woodside ended up on the ground in Wednesday's session.

-Evans has looked good running the football in camp, and he's gotten a lot of opportunities with starter Derrick Henry limited. Running back Brian Hill has also gotten chances, and he's shown some burst as well.

Big hole for RB Brian Hill (@Heezy2Liv5) on Wednesday at @Titans camp. pic.twitter.com/Oo1JCHe84r
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

-Tucker McCann was 5-of-7 kicking field goals, with makes of 47, 53, 33, 45 and 42 and two misses from 40 yards. He's now 23-of-29 so far in camp. Recently signed kicker Sam Ficken, formerly of the Jets, was 6-of-7, his only miss coming from 44. He's now 12-of-13 so far in camp.

-Receiver Fred Brown caught a pass on the sideline thrown by Kizer.

-Linebacker David Long Jr. had a nice break-up on a pass from Woodside to Fitzpatrick.

-Receiver Cameron Batson made a nice catch in the final period of practice.

A look at @Titans QB @ryantannehill1 in Wednesday’s practice. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/jIfdEMLZsp
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

-Vrabel offered a critique of rookie offensive lineman Dillon Radunz after practice, and the CliffsNotes version is Radunz is still a work on progress. Vrabel said the team's second-round pick needs to "be better," and more consistent.

-Chester Rogers, Mason Kinsey and Cameron Batson lined up to field punts in a special teams period.

-Receiver Josh Reynolds, tight end Geoff Swaim, linebacker Harold Landry, safety Dane Cruikshank and center Spencer Pulley also did not practice on Wednesday.

-Outside linebacker Derick Roberson returned to practice.

-Agent Drew Rosenhaus attended Wednesday's practice, and at one point chatted with linebacker Rashaan Evans, one of his clients.

-The Titans aren't scheduled to practice on Thursday.

Next practice: Friday, 9:30 a.m.

.@KingHenry_2 breaks into space at @Titans camp. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/IxETEwiRU3
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2021

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Wide receiver Mason Kinsey #12 of the Tennessee Titans during fall camp practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park on August 04, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans