NASHVILLE – Plenty has changed since receiver Adam Humphries signed with the Titans last March.
Humphries, if you remember, picked the Titans over the Patriots in free agency. When he joined the Titans, Marcus Mariota was the team's quarterback, and Tom Brady was in New England.
Today, Ryan Tannehill is the quarterback of the future for the Titans. After stepping in for Mariota in Week 6, he guided the Titans into the AFC Championship, and earned himself a lucrative new contract in March. Mariota, meanwhile, is now in Las Vegas, and in a wild game of musical chairs, Brady is in Tampa Bay – Humphries' old team.
"Crazy, huh?," Humphries said.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Humphries is glad to be in Tennessee.
He's coming off a season that left him encouraged because of the chemistry he began building with Tannehill and the offense in 2019, in his first year with the team. An ankle injury halted his progress last fall, but it didn't sour his memory.
"Obviously coming into a new team, you're not sure what your role is going to be and how you are going to play a part in the team's success," Humphries said. "But slowly I started to feel comfortable in the offense, with the way (OC) Arthur (Smith) was calling plays, and what they expected of me day in and day out. And the consistency at quarterback with Tannehill, too – the communication with him was great.
"I am excited to continue to build on that communication and that relationship with him over the next few seasons. I am optimistic coming out of the season. Obviously, we had great team success, and personally I felt more comfortable in the offense as the season progressed."
After playing his first four NFL seasons with the Buccaneers, Humphries caught 37 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns with the Titans in 2019.
Humphries had his best game of the season in Week 3, when he caught six passes for 93 yards against the Jaguars.
He made one of the biggest catches of the season – a 23-yard touchdown reception – in the closing moments of a come-from behind win over the Chiefs in Week 10.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Humphries put a string of games together in the middle of the season when he caught at least four passes in five games, but the ankle injury caused him to miss a six-game stretch, including two playoff games. Humphries returned for the AFC title game in Kansas City.
"It was unfortunate to have that (injury), but everything happens for a reason," Humphries said. "And now I am excited to build that relationship with Tannehill, and we have a great group of receivers, too."
Humphries, who reported to training camp at the end of last month, spent part of his offseason in Nashville, where he worked some with quarterback Logan Woodside and others. He also spent a good chunk of his time back in South Carolina, where he worked with his trainer on his speed, agility and strength training.
In his off time, he found golf courses. Humphries, who touts an 8.3 handicap, has a pretty nice game. He still agonizes over a near hole-in-one during a charity golf tournament in Charleston, S.C., a few years back.
"I was five inches away from the cup," Humphries said, "and the prize was $50,000. Now that would have been a fun story."
A fun story this fall for Humphries would be to build on last season -- and make an even bigger impact this fall.
Humphries, who played collegiately at Clemson, bought his own place in Nashville after sharing an apartment with two teammates all four years in Tampa. He's comfortable in the city, and on the team.
"It was a cool season to grow personally, and as a player," Humphries said. "I am exited to be a Nashville resident."
He's fired up about Tannehill being in town with him.
"I was super excited when we signed Ryan back, because I know the value of working with the same quarterback year after year," Humphries said. "Just building that camaraderie, that relationship, that trust with your quarterback and knowing if he needs an outlet he has a guy in me who can be that guy, or just a tight coverage throw, he'll trust me to make the play or A.J. (Brown) to make the play. You build that over time.
"So, bringing Ryan back, I was excited. He's been impressive in meetings and how quickly he has picked up on our offense. He has a really good grasp of it, so we can just continue to add things as we continue to go. I am excited to have him as our QB."
Overall, Humphries said he has high expectations for the Titans and the offense, especially at the receiver position, where he shares a room with Brown, Corey Davis, Kalif Raymond and others.
The group will be on the field for training camp practices next week.
Humphries is fired up about it.
"I love our guys," Humphries said. "It's a competitive group from top to bottom, which is what you want. We all push each other, and we all expect greatness out of each other. A.J., obviously he had a great rookie season and we expect him to build on that and he has that hunger and he knows what it takes to be successful. And Corey is a guy who can do everything and has all the talent in the world.
"Those two guys, and all the guys in the room are just incredible competitors and fun guys to be around in the locker room. Overall, I am so excited about this season and what's ahead."
