NASHVILLE – The Titans and Seahawks practiced in Nashville again on Thursday, leading up to Saturday's preseason game at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at what stood out from today's session:
-The Titans and Seahawks started off the session with their own stretch and individual periods. The two teams worked together in a 1-on-1 Red Zone period with WRs and DBs. Using two fields, the Titans offense worked against the Seahawks defense on one field, and the Titans defense worked against the Seahawks offense on another. After a 12-play team period on each field, the two teams worked in 7-on-7 periods, and with o-linemen battling d-linemen. Then came a special teams period, with field goals, and kickoff return period. Following a hydration break, the teams worked in another Red Zone period, before another special teams period, with field goals and kickoffs. The teams then worked in an unscripted "Move the Ball" period taking place on the two fields before finishing with a two-minute period, and then a scenario where each team got the ball with 1:10 left in the 4th quarter, 1st and 10, ball at their 40, needing a touchdown to win. The two teams ended up cutting practice a little short as several players dealt with heat-related issues on a hot day.
-I once again spent most of my time watching the Titans on offense, in large part because I've charted the QB throws in camp and, hey, it's too late to stop now. But I tried to position myself in between the two fields where I could see both, and I felt like I caught most the action on both fields. I had a better vantage point of the offense, which explains why my notes are heavier on that side of the ball.
-I'm not sure there was a clear winner in these two days of joint practices. There's no doubt the Titans offense struggled at times, especially in the red zone and the two-minute period today. But the team didn't have two of its top receivers either day – DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd. Defensively, I saw the Titans generating a ton of pressure up front. I also saw Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf consistently getting open and making plays, but I also realize the Titans were without their top two cornerbacks in L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie. The Seahawks were definitely a physical test, and the Titans should learn from the work.
-Titans coach Brian Callahan said Malik Willis will be the starter on Saturday night in the preseason game between the two teams. Callahan said he doesn't expect the team's starters to play after getting so much work over the past two days.
-Titans quarterback Will Levis didn't have a great day – he threw a pair of interceptions, including one on the very first play of the two-minute period. Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon jumped in front of receiver Mason Kinsey to make the interception, and the Seattle sideline went crazy. Earlier in practice, Levis was picked off in a 7-on-7 red zone period. I had Levis at 6-of-13 for the day, with the two INTs. In the two practices vs the Seahawks, I charted Levis completing 21-of-35 passes with the two picks in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined. In the team's first 11 practices of training camp, including work vs the Seahawks, Levis has completed 131-of-190 passes with seven interceptions in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp.
-The Seahawks didn't get to celebrate their interception long, as Titans linebacker Chance Campbell stepped in front of a Sam Howell pass across the middle and picked it off. It continued Campbell's solid camp – he had eight tackles, a sack and an INT in the preseason opener vs the 49ers.
-Receiver Treylon Burks left practice early on Wednesday with cramping, but he looked just fine on Thursday. Burks caught a pass from Levis on the opening play of team periods, and left Seahawks chasing him.
Below is a clip of Burks from the 1-on-1 period, plus an interview with him after practice:
-I can't lie – I was expecting to see more from receiver Calvin Ridley in these practices, especially after he'd been tearing it up during the first few weeks of camp. But Ridley never seemed to get in the flow, and it's clear his connection with Levis still needs work. Ridley admitted as much after Wednesday's session, and I have no doubt he's going to put in the work.
-Mason Kinsey continues to make plays – and he continues to chirp. But Kinsey has been earning the right with his play – he was good in the 1-on-1s on Thursday, and he caught a touchdown pass from Levis in a team red zone period. Of course he spiked it.
-Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons once again looked unblockable in these practices, and he let the Seahawks know about it again and again and again. Simmons threw Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson to the ground on one play, and yelled: "I do this s&*t!"
-Running back Tyjae Spears got off to a great start, busting up the middle on an early run.
-Did I mention the Titans had trouble with DK Metcalf? The big receiver caught a deep ball from Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith on the first play of team drills, as there appeared to be communication issues in the Titans secondary. Later, Metcalf caught a touchdown pass from Smith in between safeties Amani Hooker and Quandre Diggs in the two-minute period.
-Jamal Adams, a former Seahawk, showed up with a few plays over the past two days. I probably heard Adams more than anyone else in these joint practices, with Simmons and Kinsey right behind him.
-Diggs, another former Seahawk, also reunited with many of his former teammates on and off the field.
Here's a clip of Diggs below:
-I thought for sure we were going to see a scrap on several occasions, on both fields. Perhaps the closest we got came when Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Willams and Titans rookie tackle JC Latham came face-to-face during, and after, a play. Latham had his helmet knocked off, and Williams looked like he was about to throw a punch during the fray. But several other players got in between them, and broke it all up. With a smile, Latham said coaches made it clear they'd better not fight.
-Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine gave Seahawks cornerback Carlton Johnson the business after Johnson was flagged for defensive pass interference while working against the Titans. NWI picked the flag up and ran to Johnson, making sure he saw it.
-It was another good day for rookie receiver Jha'Quan Jackson, who scored on a red zone pass from Willis. I had Jackson with three catches today in the 7-on-7 and team periods combined.
-I saw Titans defensive lineman TK McClendon with a would-be sack.
-I noticed rookie defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat more today than Wednesday.
-Quarterback Mason Rudolph was 7-of-13 on the day, including 6-of-9 in team drills. I charted Rudolph at 24-of-33 over the two days combined in 7-on-7 and team periods combined. In the team's first 11 practices of training camp, including work vs the Seahawks, Rudolph has completed 106-of-131 passes with two interceptions in the 7-on-7 and team drills in camp.
-I mentioned earlier that Willis will get the start on Saturday night. Willis was just 3-of-7 on Thursday, which made him 13-of-23 for the two days against the Seahawks in the team and 7-on-7 periods combined. In the team's first 11 practices of training camp, including work against the Seahawks, Willis has completed 74-of-116 passes in 7-on-7 and team work so far in camp, with three interceptions.
-Running back Julius Chesnut did some talking with his pads. Chesnut had a strong run early.
-I saw linebacker Otis Reese IV make a really nice play while converging on a ball carrier in a hurry.
-Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was right there on a throw in the flat.
-Titans defensive lineman Quinton Bohanna threw a Seahawks player to the ground on a physical stop.
-The Titans struggled in the early 7-on-7 red zone period.
- Kicker Brayden Narveson was 2-of-3 on the day in a kicking period, and he's now 17-of-22 in camp. Kicker Nick Folk didn't kick on Thursday, and I have him at 26-of-28 on field goals so far in camp.
-Receiver Tyler Boyd (foot bruise), cornerback Caleb Farley (hamstring), receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee), Chidobe Awuzie (calf), cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (rest), linebacker JoJo Domann (back), linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder), linebacker Luke Gifford (concussion), tackle Jaelyn Duncan and receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison did not practice.
-The Titans held out linebacker Kenneth Murray with hamstring tightness, Callahan said.
-Receiver Kyle Philips left practice early, and he's dealing with a hamstring injury, per Callahan.
-Tight end Josh Whyle hit his head on the ground during 1-on-1s, and he went in early as a precaution, Callahan said.
-Defensive lineman Keondre Coburn went in early for precautionary reasons as well, per Callahan.
-Defensive lineman Marlon Davidson went in early with a biceps injury and is undergoing tests, per Callahan.
-Receiver Bryce Oliver didn't finish because of heat-related issues, Callahan said.
-Linebacker Garret Wallow, out for the season with a pec injury, also did not practice. He has not yet been placed on Injured Reserve.
-Former Titans coach Jeff Fisher attended today's practice.
-Brothers Matt and Tim Hasselbeck, now with Ensworth High football, attended today's practice.
-Former Titans Marc Mariani, Matt Cassel and Tajae Sharpe attended today's practice, and so did Blaine Bishop from 104.5 FM
-Analyst Charles Davis attended today's practice.
-Receiver Colton Dowell began camp on the team's Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and did not practice.
-Veteran reporters/analysts Adam Caplan and Greg Cosell attended today's practice, and so did NFL Network's Michael Robinson, a former Seahawks fullback. Steve Palazzolo, formerly with Pro Football Focus, was also on hand.
-Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson, who works in scouting with the Seahawks, was at today's session.
-Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk attended today's practice.
-Current season ticket members and prospective season ticket members, along with sponsors, were among those who attended today's practice.
-Game officials worked today's practice.
Next up: Titans vs Seahawks in preseason game No.2 on Saturday at 6.p.m. at Nissan Stadium.
