NASHVILLE – The Titans took the field for their 12th open practice of training camp on Tuesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out:
-With practices against the Patriots initially scheduled for this week canceled, the Titans came up with a new gameplan for this week: Hold a blue and white scrimmage, with teams drafted by Assistant Head Coach Terrell Williams and Director of Football Administration John Streicher. The result was a lively, competitive practice. "At one point in time, however I was keeping score, (it was) 36-33, and I thought we had good plays on both sides," Titans Coach Mike Vrabel said. "I thought it very competitive, back and forth, good energy."
-Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed several long touchdown passes in the scrimmage, and he was 13-of-18 on the day. Tannehill is now 119-of-183 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in practices, not counting the work against the Vikings.
-Titans quarterback Malik Willis started out hot, completing his first three passes in a 7-on-7 period, including a bomb to rookie receiver Colton Dowell for a touchdown. Willis finished the day 12-of-18 in the 7-on-7 and team period combined, with an interception, and he's now 85-of-146 in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp.
-Quarterback Will Levis was at practice on Tuesday, but he was not in uniform, and he did not participate. Levis talked to reporters after practice (see video below). Vrabel said he hopes Levis is able to play in the preseason finale on Friday night, but "I don't know if he will or not."
-Receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a really good, active practice. Hopkins caught a deep sideline pass early, and he was also on the receiving end of a deep ball from Tannehill that resulted in a touchdown. All the offensive players gathered to celebrate the touchdown catch. Hopkins had at least seven catches on the day, including some pretty impressive grabs.
-Safety Amani Hooker intercepted Willis late on a deep ball. It was Hooker third interception since training camp began (counting his INT in Minnesota), and that's tied with cornerback Roger McCreary for the most in camp.
-After a bad drop early, receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine turned in one of the biggest plays of the day when he caught a Tannehill pass across the middle as he slid to the ground. No defender touched NWI down, so he got up and ran it in for a touchdown.
-Tight end Chig Okonkwo had a nice one-handed catch in an early 7-on-7 period. Okonkwo ended up leaving practice early.
-Defensive back Shyheim Carter showed up early, as he broke up a pair of passes in the early 7-on-7.
-Defensive back Armani Marsh knocked the ball out of the hands of Hopkins in a team period with a heads-up play, but Hopkins was on the sideline and the ball went out of bounds.
-Cornerback Roger McCreary had a nice break-up on a pass intended for Okonkwo.
-Cornerback Anthony Kendall had a nice PBU on a ball intended for Hopkins.
-Linebacker Otis Reese IV had a nice pass break-up on a pass intended for running back Jacques Patrick.
-Edge rusher Arden Key broke into the backfield for a sack of Willis, who was pressured on numerous drop-backs.
-Defensive lineman Teair Tart got his hands on the football at the line of scrimmage.
-Defensive back Eric Garror nearly intercepted Willis on a short four-play sequence that was won by the defense.
-Receiver Racey McMath caught a touchdown pass, and he dunked the ball over the crossbar in celebration.
-Kicker Michael Badgley, signed just before practice, didn't get off to a great start. Badgley was 7-of-10 in a kicking period, with makes from 29, 41, 47, 33, 38, 33 and 33, and misses from 33, 43 and 48. Badgley also missed on a 44-yard field goal at the end of a two-minute period before making kicks from 33 and 50 yards at the end of practice. All told, Badgley was 9-of-13 on the day. Badgley talked to reporters after practice (see below).
-Defensive lineman Trevon Coley, who was resigned on Monday, has been assigned No.79.
-Running back Hassan Haskins, running back Jonathan Ward, linebacker Monty Rice, defensive lineman Kyle Peko, offensive lineman John Ojukwu, receiver Treylon Burks, offensive lineman Jaelyn Duncan and receiver Kyle Philips did not practice on Tuesday. Kearis Jackson was spotted at practice, but he did not participate.
-In addition to Dowell, defensive back Elijah Molden and defensive lineman Naquan Jones were back at practice on Tuesday.
-Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and Kenneth S. Adams IV from the team's ownership group were on hand for today's practice.
-Former Titans receiver Marc Mariani was on hand for today's practice.
-Former Titans receiver Derrick Mason was on hand for today's practice.
Next practice: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
