FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Titans were back on the field on Friday night at Centennial High School for the eighth practice of training camp.
Here's a look at what stood out:
- An estimated crowd of 7,500 turned out for practice.
- With Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan not practicing, Harold Landry and Aaron Wallace worked with the first team at outside linebacker.
- Demontre Hurst and Dane Cruikshank both worked with the first team at safety opposite Kevin Byard.
- Receiver Taywan Taylor was good from the get-go. Taylor caught three passes on the opening drive for the Titans offense, including a 19-yard catch across the middle. Taylor was busy all night.
- Quarterback Marcus Mariota engineered a beautiful drive at the start, connecting with Taylor, Tajae Sharpe and Corey Davis on the way down the field. The drive was capped up with a three-yard touchdown run by Mariota, who raced to the corner of the end zone.
- Running back Dion Lewis really showed off, turning in some nice moves in the open field. Lewis caught a flip pass from Mariota and turned it into a 37-yard gain.
- Davis looked smooth as well. He caught a touchdown pass late in the session to cap off a drive for the offense.
- I thought it was the best practice of training camp for quarterback Luke Falk, who found receiver Devin Ross for a 19-yard gain, and tight end Anthony Firkser for a 28-yard gain during a nice drive.
- The defense stepped up when the Titans offense was put in this scenario late: 1:07 left, one time out, ball around the 50-yard line, and in need of a touchdown. Cornerback Malcolm Butler broke up two passes intended for Sharpe, and the drive ended with a Mariota incompletion.
- Cornerback Logan Ryan had a chance to pick off Mariota early, but let the ball escape his grasp.
- Receiver Deontay Burnett had a good practice, catching a number of passes on the night. Burnett is coming on.
- Cornerback Rico Gafford busted through the line and recorded a sack on Falk. It seems like I notice Gafford every practice.
- Running back Akrum Wadley got work with the second team offense, and he turned in a number of nice runs on the night.
- Wallace busted into the backfield to greet running back Derrick Henry, and linebacker Tobenna Okeke showed up with a sack of quarterback Blaine Gabbert. It negated a spectacular one-handed grab by running back David Fluellen.
- Adoree' Jackson and Burnett both fielded punts on the night.
- Tight end Luke Stocker got open, but dropped a pass on the sideline. Stocker's hands have failed him on a few plays in recent practices.
- Kicker Austin Barnard nailed a 50-yard field goal.
- Quinton Spain and Kevin Pamphile both worked with the first team group at left guard.
- Linebacker Rashaan Evans, linebacker Brian Orakpo, linebacker Jayon Brown, receiver Michael Campanaro, linebacker Sharif Finch, linebacker Derrick Morgan and defensive lineman Bennie Logan did not practice.
- Tight end Phillip Supernaw, who passed a physical and was taken off the Physically Unable to Perform list earlier in the day, took part in special teams work. Coach Mike Vrabel said his workload should be increased in Saturday's practice.
Next practice: Saturday, 3:30-6 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.
The Titans practice under the lights on Day 8 of training camp on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 at Centennial High School. (Photos: Donn Jones, Gary Glenn)