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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –** Corey Davis made his NFL debut on Sunday, and it didn't take him long to show why the Titans selected him fifth overall in the NFL Draft.
On the offense's first possession, Davis went up high to haul in a Marcus Mariota pass on a third-and-8 play. It was good for a 23-yard gain, and if you haven't seen the highlights, well, let's just say the catch was better than good. Davis had a defender draped all over him, and he outfought him for the football.
Davis ended the day with six catches for 69 yards in the team's 26-16 loss to the Raiders.
After the game, Davis said he thought he played "decent."
But the talented receiver was happy to be in uniform, and playing for the first time
"It felt good, real good," Davis said. "It is unfortunate that we came up with the loss, but we will bounce back. We have got another week of preparation and we will be better next week.
"Obviously not (good) enough as we came out with a L. But we will clean it up next time."
Davis played 42 of the game's 64 offensive snaps for the Titans, which was higher than many expected after he missed all of the preseason with a hamstring injury. Davis returned to practice last week, and coach Mike Mularkey raved about his progress leading up to Sunday's game.
"There's some things he's got to clean up," Mularkey said on Sunday. "Again, for his first game, I thought he did some very good things. … He got a lot of plays, a lot of things to learn, but there were some things that were not on track just because lack of time."
Mariota didn't hesitate throwing to the rookie.
Davis was targeted a team-high 10 times. On one play there appeared to be some communication issues, as Mariota sailed one to the right after Davis cut inside. But the two appeared to have pretty good chemistry. Davis had four catches for 48 yards in the first half.
"That's the standard," Mariota said of Davis. "That's what I think he can live up to and we can always get better. We can always improve. He did well today."
Tight end Delanie Walker led the Titans with seven catches (for 76 yards) against the Raiders, while receiver Rishard Matthews also had five catches for 71 yards.
Davis said it was great to be on the field with his teammates.
And after some anxiousness leading up to the game, he settled in.
"I went into the game not knowing how much I was going to get in, but I was pretty much preparing myself for anything," Davis said. "I just have to keep getting better."
The Tennessee Titans take on the Oakland Raiders in Week 1 action at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
