Some new faces and some new names stepped out onto the practice field Tuesday afternoon at Saint Thomas Sports Park. But, the veterans on this team are hungry after missing the postseason by only one game at 9-7 last season. A new energy and sense of urgency was in the air in the locker room and on the field.
Here are some observations from the Titans first OTA of the year.
Mariota back on the practice field
The theme on the field this afternoon was “Don’t touch number eight.” The Titans starting quarterback was on the field for the first time, since he fractured his right fibula in week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“It felt great. You know, four months I didn’t know if I would be able to participate in OTAs,” said Mariota. “Being able to do some of the drills, go through practice was slotted in my progress and my recovery. I was very happy and very grateful to be out there.”
Although not full speed quite yet, Mariota said he is “pretty close.”
Mariota participated in team drills and individual drills, taking all of the 7 on 7 snaps. Coach Mularkey said they are pacing themselves but are “giving him what he can do.”
“He’d like to do more,” Mularkey said of his third year quarterback. “He looks like he can do more. But again, it’s May. We have time.”
“He is ready. He is ready for as much as he is getting right now. It is just give him what he can do.”
Young receivers standing out
You’d think on the first day of team practice on an NFL roster there might be some jitters, but it did not seem like it for rookie wide receivers Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor.
Davis was limited in rookie minicamp to individual drills, but today participated in team drills. Coach Mularkey held the fifth overall pick out of “1 on 1” drills for precautionary purposes.
“I was pleased with what I saw out there from him,” he said on Davis. “He’s got a designed number of plays, and we know what those plays are. We know what the possibilities of the ball going to him are. We are trying to be smart with how he is getting it and what he has to do after he gets it.”
The receiver out of Western Michigan certainly looks the part, making a few high, leaping grabs. His height and size also stood out among the receiver group led by Rishard Matthews.
The Titans third round pick, Taylor, displayed his quick bursts of speed on the field against the Titans veteran pieces of the secondary. The Western Kentucky product made contested catches all over the field catching the eye of his new quarterback.
“I think those guys have done a great job of coming in and understanding what they need to do and what’s the expectation for them,” Mariota said of Taylor and Davis. “I think Taywan had a great day. He had a couple of great catches. Corey looked good out there as well. All of these young guys as they continue to grow and continue to get better it will help us out during the season.”
Predators Fever: Recovery needed for Mularkey… but not his O-Line
Three catfish hoisted in the air, beer-chugging and once again, a shirtless Quinten Spain, were a part of the Nashville Predators Western Conference Final celebration Monday night. The Titans Offensive Line has become a familiar site during this Predators postseason run.
Titans left-tackle Taylor Lewan threw a catfish onto the ice last night, but was ready for business in the morning.
“We have something to prove, now we are playing football,” said Lewan. “You can do whatever you want the night before but when you come in here there is a certain amount of professionalism that you have to have.”
Mularkey did see his O-Line at the game, and after the beer chugging, was interested on how they would perform in practice today.
“I watched them a little bit closer today to see how they were going to practice. I’ll tell you, I think they knew I was going to watch, so it was pretty impressive how they practiced.”
Coach Mularkey said he was “recovering” himself, after being a part of the historic game atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena.
“I hadn’t been a part of something like that to watch,” he said. “I am glad I got to be a part of it. Jon (Robinson) and I went to the game with our wives. Great environment, great environment.”
Catch of the Day
Second year receiver, Tajae Sharpe, showed out in the wide receiver group. With new draft pick Corey Davis in the fold, Sharpe has some competition on the outside. However, he came out of the gates making contested catches across the field.
The most impressive play of practice came when Sharpe leaped high over a defender and snagged a ball. The catch garnered some celebration from teammates, and closed out practice with an exclamation point.
