NASHVILLE – The Titans hit the field on Tuesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park for first day of this week's three-day minicamp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-Titans safety Kevin Byard showed up for minicamp and immediately made his presence known. Byard broke up a Ryan Tannehill pass across the middle intended for tight end Chig Okonkwo in a team pass period late in practice. Earlier, Byard stopped running back Tyjae Spears short of a first down on a third-and-short pass play. Byard made the fourth down fist signal at the end of the play as he was celebrated by his teammates.
-The Titans defense looked like it won the day, as it broke up a number of passes while also generating some pressure.
-Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting had really good coverage on a pair of passes intended for receiver Treylon Burks, who was suffocated on a number of plays.
-Tannehill had his ups and downs. He threw a strike to Burks early, and he connected on a number of other throws. But he also was wide on a throw to Burks, and there appeared to be miscommunication on a pass intended for receiver Kyle Philips. He did make a big throw late ...
-The big throw late turned out to be the play of the day – a Tannehill strike to tight end Chig Okonkwo down the middle of the field. Okonkwo caught the football in stride in the end zone for a touchdown.
-Former Titans receiver Chris Sanders was on hand. As he walked past me he mentioned how he thought new outside linebacker Arden Key was standing out because of his play, and enthusiasm.
-Defensive lineman Denico Autry was also present at Tuesday's minicamp after missing the open OTAs.
-Running back Derrick Henry appears to be taking advantage of his time in the offseason work. Henry not surprisingly looks to be in great shape, but he's been smooth running and catching the ball as well.
-Another practice meant another day of standing out for Spears, who is regularly one of the most active – and noticeable – players.
-Quarterback Malik Willis connected with Tre'Shaun Harrison, Racey McMath, Mason Kinsey (twice) on throws, but he was off target on a thrown to Colton Dowell and another to Harrison.
-Quarterback Will Levis connected with tight end Alize Mack on a throw, but he was off target on a pair of throws as well.
Levis chatted with Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk at the end of the session.
-Running back Julius Chestnut bounced outside for a nice run late in practice.
-Kicker Trey Wolff, an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech, was 7-of-9 in a field goal period, making kicks from 34, 42, 36, 49, 46, 34 and 55 yards while misfiring on kicks from 44 (hit the right goalpost) and 55 (sailed wide right). I've been charting Wolff during the open periods this offseason and he's now 23-of-25. Kicker Caleb Shudak hasn't kicked field goals in the open practices.
Not spotted on the practice field at Tuesday's session: CB Caleb Farley, CB Elijah Molden, CB Kristian Fulton, CB Josh Thompson, OLB Harold Landry, DL Sam Okuayinonu, OL Dillon Radunz and TE Trevon Wesco. Some of those players were spotted on a bike during practice.
-Defensive lineman Teair Tart signed his tender as a restricted free agent earlier in the week and was at practice. In OTAs, Tart had been practicing after signing a waiver earlier this offseason.
-Roughly 30 high school coaches were on hand for the first-ever Diversity Coaching Summit in partnership with the Minority Coaches Association of Tennessee. The coaches attended meetings and shared info with Titans coaches.
-The Titans are scheduled for Day 2 of minicamp on Wednesday, and that session is also open to the media.
