NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans just wrapped up their third training camp practice on Monday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a look at what stood out on the first day in full pads…
Running back DeMarco Murray had a number of nice runs, and he seemed to get irritated after fumbling early. He busted off sizeable runs the next two times he touched the football.
I was impressed with defensive linemen Antwaun Woods and Angelo Blackson early on in a run drill. They blew up the offensive line on several plays, and drew praise assistant defensive line coach Keith Willis.
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard showed up on several occasions with nice defensive plays, including one where he sniffed out a trick play by the offense.
Linebacker Brian Orakpo stood out on a day when things got more physical.
Receiver Rishard Matthews consistently made catches in traffic, and he also made a leaping grab in the end zone for a touchdown pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Tight end Anthony Fasano made several nice catches, and Delanie Walker had a touchdown grab late.
Mularkey also said receiver Dorial Green-Beckham bounced back after a tough day on Sunday. Green-Beckham got behind the defense to catch a deep ball from Mariota. Meanwhile, receivers Tre McBride and Tajae Sharpe made some nice catches. Harry Douglas repeatedly made plays.
Credit cornerback Cody Riggs with a nice break-up in the latter part of today's session.
Henry debut
Plenty of eyes were on former Alabama running back Derrick Henry on the first day in pads.
Henry (6-3, 247) moved the pile, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said.
"They definitely want to be physical,'' Henry said, "and that is what we are working toward."
On one run in particular, Henry hit the hole, bounced to the outside and raced into the secondary.
He did take a big pop in the middle of the pile from linebacker Sean Spence.
"It's football,'' Henry said. "You are going to get hit, so that's what you expect. The first day in pads, it was fun."
Mularkey sounded pleased with what he saw from last year's Heisman Trophy winner.
"I saw some things,'' Mularkey said of Henry. "I saw some vision on some of the runs that we had. We had a lot of runs in this practice early. We were focusing on first and second down. Obviously, the nine-on-seven drill is all run. There were some holes in there that looked slim, and they are at this level. He hit them pretty good."
Shaking off the rust
The first practice in pads included some rust, Mularkey said.
"It got better, I'll say that,'' Mularkey said. "It was not acceptable early on, especially in the early drills when we were running the nine-on-seven drill—a half-line drill which is basically a run drill. It's down and dirty, O-line against the D-line, the fullbacks leading on the linebackers. We had too many false starts, a couple mistakes mentally. A lot of them were young guys. A lot of emotions running in that locker room before the practice. I mean I know a lot of them (had) nervous energy, very tense."
Injuries
Cornerback Brice McCain did not practice because of an ankle injury, and he could miss another day, Mularkey said.
Linebacker Aaron Wallace suffered an ankle injury and was helped off the field. He was headed for x-rays after practice.
Running back Antonio Andrews has been limited in recent practices because of a sore hamstring.
Titans tidbits
-Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk attended practice for the second straight day.
-Mariota signed autographs at the end of practice. The first guys in line arrived in the parking lot at Saint Thomas Sports Park just after midnight.
-The Titans practice at 8:55 a.m. on Tuesday.
Titans players take the field for Day 3 of training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Gary Glenn)