NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for practice No.5 of training camp on Monday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-The Titans practiced in pads for the first time in camp, and I'm giving the nod to the defense on this day. The offense made its share of plays, but defenders regularly got their hands on the football and rose to the occasion on several plays in the red zone in various periods.
-Cornerback Roger McCreary had a really nice day, knocking away a half-dozen passes in the session. McCreary was solid working against first-round pick Treylon Burks in 1-on-1s, and he also made plays in 7-on-7 and team drills. McCreary twice made nice plays knocking the ball out on balls intended for Burks in the red zone. McCreary, the team's second-round pick out of Auburn, nearly had a one-handed interception of Logan Woodside on a ball intended for Racey McMath in a late team period.
-Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said after practice he thought the offense needed to be better than it was on Monday, and I'd been thinking the same thing throughout the session. Tannehill wasn't as sharp as he'd been in practices early in camp, and on Monday there were some drops. Tannehill finished the day a 6-of-14 in 7-on-7 and team drills combined, and by my count he's now 40-of-54 without a pick in camp.
-Check out the new thigh pads for Titans defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons, aka "Big Jeff", below.
-Burks made touchdown grabs on back-to-back plays during a 7-on-7 red zone period, catching passes from Tannehill each time. Burks is off to a good start in camp, but he hasn't been perfect, as he's been outdueled on some balls thrown his way.
-Malik Willis made a nice throw to receiver Reggie Roberson, but he also misfired on several throws and he was intercepted by defensive back Shakur Brown during a 7-on-7 red zone period. Receiver Brandon Lewis fell to the ground on the play, which contributed to the INT.
-Roberson, an undrafted free agent from SMU, continues to make plays. Roberson has been consistently good through the first five days of practice, and he stood out again on Monday. Roberson caught a touchdown pass from Woodside in a 7-on-7 period.
-During the first team period in pads, Tannehill connected with tight end Chig Okonkwo for a short pass across the middle, but the defense held its own. Defensive lineman Naquan Jones and linebacker Zach Cunningham stuffed running back Hassan Haskins on one run, and linebacker Dylan Cole met running back Jordan Wilkins in the hole. Linebacker Joe Jones and defensive lineman Larrell Murchison also made nice stops in the period, which was won by the defense.
-The 1-on-1s with the WRs and DBs were entertaining, but unfortunately not during a live shooting period. So I'll give you the rundown on the highlights here. Mason Kinsey made a nice one-handed catch, and Josh Malone, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Terry Godwin, Brandon Lewis and Roberson all made nice catches in the red zone. Malone hauled in a pair of touchdown catches while working against Tre Avery and Amani Hooker, respectively. Defensively, Kevin Byard, Kristian Fulton, Shyheim Carter, Chris Williamson, Kenneth George Jr., Chris Jackson and McCreary all had at least one breakup.
-I thought Fulton was solid on Monday. He was so physical with Dez Fitzpatrick on one of the 1-on-1s, the quarterback never threw the ball as Fitzpatrick couldn't get out of his route.
-Westbrook-Ikhine was physical on offense in the 1-on-1s, and he got open for a score in a 7-on-7 as well.
-Kinsey followed up a good 1-on-1 period with a red zone TD on a ball thrown by Woodside.
-Linebacker David Long Jr. made a nice break-up in a 7-on-7 red zone period on a ball intended for tight end Austin Hooper.
-Outside linebacker Rashad Weaver batted down a Woodside pass at the line of scrimmage.
-I noticed running back Hassan Haskins several times on Monday, as he showed up with the pads on. But Haskins did take a big hit on one play, as Harold Landry and Teair Tart got him good.
-Defensive end Kevin Strong made a nice stop in a team period.
-In a special teams period, Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Mason Kinsey, Terry Godwin and Brandon Lewis all fielded punts.
-I had kicker Randy Bullock going 7-of-8 in a field goal period, but I didn't get the distances since I watched the period from behind. Jared Stillman of 102.5 FM "The Game" had Bullock going 8-of-8, but we all know Jared is always looking on the bright side on everything …
-Tight end Tommy Hudson, taken off the team's Physically Unable to Perform list earlier today, practiced for the first time in camp.
-Center Ben Jones returned to practice. Jones wasn't on the field for the start of practice, but he joined his teammates in drills later in the session.
-Defensive back Elijah Molden did not practice. Molden went off hobbled last week.
-Kicker Caleb Shudak and linebacker Monty Rice did not practice, as they're on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of camp.
-Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), attended today's practice.
-Roughly 200 season ticket holders were on hand to watch today's practice.
Next practice: Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.
