It is finally here, the 2015 season. The main indicator? Training Camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park, of course! The first practice is Friday 7/31/15 at 9:20am and its open to the public. Can’t make it Friday? No problem. Saturday 8/1/15 practice starts at 3:10pm and on Sunday 8/2 at 9:20am all open to you, the public.
With Training Camp comes the much anticipated first look at Marcus Mariota for you guys. The Media has seen him throughout OTA and Mini camp workouts. We too want to get a closer look at the 2014 Heisman winner. I can tell you this with a level of certainty: He’s bigger than you realize, and if you get to see him take off and run a bootleg, you’ll realize he’s fast too. Mariota is just one of the camp stories we are following on the cusp of this season.
Slowed by hamstrings and quad injuries respectively, we want to see what 2nd round draft pick Dorial Green-Beckham is all about and what 5th rounder David Cobb can do as well. The rookie WR and Tailback have lots of talent and it will be interesting to see how many reps both get in practice early on.
On a more serious injury return, we’d like to see if Safety Michael Griffin and Cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson start training camp in the mix after being limited in the offseason workouts. Both are returning from significant shoulder surgeries. Their teammates Center Brian Schwenke, Left Tackle Taylor Lewan, Tight End Craig Stevens and many other starters in 2014 that ended their seasons on injured reserve are back and should be ready to go.
Second year players are something else to watch carefully as camp opens. In particular, RB Bishop Sankey. This job is his to lose. In his defense, he only had a single game high 18 carries last season and the Titans were playing from behind early and often in 2014. Young Sankey must prove to his position coach Sylvester Croom that he’s got what it takes to be the “bell cow” for the Titans. If the Titans are going to move north of the 90 yards per game rushing they averaged in 2014, it starts with Sankey.
LB Avery Williamson was one of the bright spots last year and he’s one to scout out at practice to see where he takes his play in 2015…if it’s better than 2014, look out.
Keep a look out for the battle at Right Tackle between Veteran Lineman Byron Bell and 3rd round draft pick Jerimiah Poutasi. I’d give Bell the early advantage for two reasons, his experience and protecting the front side of the line/Marcus Mariota, probably won’t be entrusted to a rookie like Poutasi.
Observe the reps at Punt Returner as Dexter McCluster will be fending off guys like RB Antonio Andrews and rookie WR Tre McBride.
Bottom line, stay hydrated, suncreen up and enjoy yourself when attending camp practices. They are free admission and parking is across the street from the practice facility at CVS/Caremark. For a complete schedule of open practices and of course autograph schedules, visit TITANSONLINE.COM
Rhett Bryan
Titans Radio – Executive Producer
