NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field for the first day of this week's minicamp on Tuesday.
The session was open to media, so I was able to take notes.
I'm sharing my observations here …
-The start of the minicamp meant the offseason practice field debuts for several players, including running back Derrick Henry, cornerback Janoris "Jackrabbit" Jenkins and guard Rodger Saffold, among others. Several others continued to work inside, however, rehabbing injuries or offseason procedures. Among those who were in the building but not on the practice field included receiver A.J. Brown, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, tackle Taylor Lewan and cornerback Caleb Farley, the team's first-round pick. At one point on Tuesday, Lewan stepped outside to watch the action. Dupree, meanwhile, took part in a zoom call and said he's on schedule in his recovery from last year's knee injury.
-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel threw a change-up at the start of practice, as players shuffled to do different individual drills than usual. The defensive linemen, for instance, worked with running backs coach Tony Dews while the DBs went through drills with receivers coach Rob Moore. All the position groups shuffled spots.
-At least two players took part in Tuesday's minicamp on a tryout basis. Former Saint Louis Billikens basketball standout Hasahn French, a 6-foot-7, 240-pounder, worked out with the tight ends. Also, cornerback Kevin Peterson took part in the workout as well on a tryout basis.
-If you follow Henry on social media, you know he's been working out all offseason. Henry looked good on Tuesday going through drills. He was busy getting carries in team jog-throughs, and he spent plenty of time working on his pass catching with Dews during breaks in the action.
-I was impressed with Jackrabbit Jenkins right out of the gate. Jenkins was feisty, and he displayed great energy. Jenkins was in the right place to break up a pass across the middle, and on the next play he banged into running back Mekhi Sargent on all pass in the flat.
-Receiver Julio Jones was on the field doing Julio things. Jones, who practiced with the team for the first time last week, continued to look smooth in drills. He catches the ball with authority while making it look easy.
-During a light period, Jones caught balls in the corner of the end zone from quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside. With these big receivers, the Titans are going to be on the winning end of a lot of jumpballs.
-Former Vanderbilt receiver Kalija Lipscomb made the catch of the day in the individual period, a one-handed grab. But that was before Julio's catch, pictured just above...
-Tight end Jared Pinkney, Lipscomb's former teammate with the Commodores, practiced with the team for the first time this offseason. Pinkney has great size, but he'll have to earn himself a spot behind Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim with all-around play.
-In a 7-on-7 period, Tannehill connected with tight end Anthony Firkser on back-to-back plays before connecting with tight end Tommy Hudson.
-Quarterback DeShone Kizer threw a beautiful pass to running back Darrynton Evans on a wheel route. Evans caught the ball in stride and made his way downfield.
-Woodside had a nice 7-on-7 period, with four straight completions, to receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, receiver Fred Brown, tight end Briley Moore and Lipscomb.
-Kicker Tucker McCann kicked in a special teams period. It looked like he made 6 of 8, but there's a chance one of the misses snuck inside the left upright – it was tough to tell from my angle.
-During a light jog-through, Woodside connected with Pinkney, Sargent, tight end Miller Forristall and receiver Mason Kinsey on throws. Meanwhile, on a separate field, Tannehill took turns handing off to Henry and Evans.
-The Titans will be back on the field for Day 2 of this week's minicamp on Wednesday.
