NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field at Nissan Stadium on Saturday for the third open practice of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-An announced crowd of 10,104 turned out for today's practice, which ended with Titans players signing autographs and throwing small footballs into the stands.
-Titans play-by-play man Mike Keith and Titans Radio analyst Dave McGinnis provided running commentary throughout the practice, and they interviewed a number of players along the way.
"Really awesome to be here," Coach Brian Callahan said afterward. "It was really cool to see the fans in the stadium have a little energy, and all the players felt it. Really meant a lot to be able to get out here and have the fans out here supporting us."
-The Titans worked in one 16-play 7-on-7 period and then in two 16-play team periods.
The emphasis in the 7-on-7 was third down, while the team worked on third-down pressures in the final team period.
"I thought it was back and forth today," Callahan said. "I think there was some good things, offensively in the base down period we did, and I thought the defensive did some good stuff on third down. They're really a pain in the butt on third down. It was good for us. We do all that work, all the blitz pickup and all the disguised coverages. They do a good job. So, it's a challenge for us offensively. We made a couple plays, they made a couple plays, and that's kind of how a good football team should be in practice. Back and forth would be the best way to put it."
-Quarterback Will Levis was really sharp early, completing his first four passes in the 7-on-7. Levis, in fact, completed 6 of his 7 passes in 7-on-7, and he made the decision to hold onto the football on one play when he was facing pressure. Levis struggled a bit during a stretch of team plays when he faced heavy pressure. Levis was intercepted for the first time in camp – by cornerback Tre Avery – and he was off-target on a few throws during one shaky stretch. Levis finished the day 11-of-17 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined, and I now have him 33-of-47 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp. At the end of practice, he hardly had time to operate because of the pressures dialed up by defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
-The best pass made by Levis on Saturday was a football that traveled 35 yards in the air, and was hauled in by running back Tony Pollard racing down the sideline. Pollard beat cornerback Roger McCreary on the play, but I think safety Elijah Molden would've gotten to him before he scored.
-Big defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons batted down one Levis pass at the line of scrimmage. Simmons has gotten his big paws on a number of footballs so far in camp.
-Simmons and fellow defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat combined to put 650 pounds of pressure on Levis on one throw.
_Quarterback Mason Rudolph was sharp once again, completing all four of his passes in 7-on-7 and 6 of 7 passes on team drills. I now have Rudolph 23-of-25 in the 7-on-7 and team work in camp. Rudolph handled the pressure well on Saturday, and I liked how he directed his pass catchers after making some of his throws.
-Quarterback Malik Willis also had a good day, and he got a nice compliment from Callahan after today's work. I had Willis 3-of-4 in 7-on-7 drills and 3-of-5 in team drills, making him 6-of-9 for the day. I now have Willis at 18-of-24 in 7-on-7 and team work combined in camp. Willis made a beautiful back-shoulder throw to receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison, and he was on the money on throws under pressure.
"Really pleased with Malik," Callahan said. "I think both those quarterbacks have really done a nice job. Malik came out and had a nice day with some aggressive throws. He's really done a nice job knowing what to do, where to go with the football. And, really pleased with how he played today. It was a good day for Malik."
-Tight end Josh Whyle was a popular target on the day, but he kicked himself for losing the football following one catch.
-It was linebacker Garret Wallow who punched the ball out from Whyle's grasp.
-Receiver Tyler Boyd also made a number of catches, and appears to be settling in more each day.
-Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. had another impactful day rushing the passer, and in coverage and run support. Murray broke up one pass intended for Pollard. He's been very noticeable in camp.
-I mentioned Avery earlier. I think he's been mostly solid in camp, getting extra work with others sidelined for one reason or another. Avery stayed with an underthrown ball from Levis to Calvin Ridley, and intercepted it.
-Edge rusher Shane Ray, just added the other day, has flashed early. He made a number of plays on Saturday, with tackles for loss and pressures.
-Defensive back Eric Garror got into the backfield on one pressure.
-Callahan said receiver Calvin Ridley was hampered by an ankle injury in the session, Callahan said, but he returned and did not appear to be having any issues late.
-In a field goal period, kicker Nick Folk made 6-of-7 field goals, with makes from 26, 30, 33, 35, 41, and 45 and his only miss from 45 yards, which went off the left goalpost.
-Outside linebacker Harold Landry (illness) and defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (calf) did not practice, but both were present for today's session. Callahan said he expects Landry to be back at practice in the coming week, although Awuzie is weeks away from returning.
-Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and Kenneth Adams and Barclay Adams from the team's ownership group attended today's practice.
-Tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere and receiver Colton Dowell began camp on the team's Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and did not practice.
Next open practice: Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
