The Tennessee Titans took the field for day two of mini-camp on Wednesday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here are some observations from practice.
Decker visits with Titans
Former New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker was officially released on Tuesday, and now is already on the search for his new team. The six-year veteran observed practice and had a physical with the Titans.
“We brought him in and I talked to him this morning for about 25 minutes. I got a chance to meet him. I had never met him,” said Head Coach Mike Mularkey on Decker. “It was similar to our draft when you do the ‘Top-30’ visits. Similar situation, get a chance to meet him and have physical. ”
Decker’s 2016 season with the Jets was shortened after suffering a rotator cuff injury in week two which required surgery and also hip surgery. However, he participated in the Jets offseason program before his release.
Decker, 30, was drafted in the third round of the 2010 draft by the Denver Broncos where he spent four seasons. He has been with the Jets for the past three seasons. In 2015, the wide out had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.
Day two “better than day one”
In day one of mini-camp, Mularkey said the defense got the best of the offense. However, both sides of the ball seemed even during Wednesday’s practice. The offensive line opened up a few holes for the running backs but other times the defensive line was in the backfield. Overall, there was improvement.
“Day two was better than day one. I think we responded offensively at least for the mistake,” said Mularkey. “We still had a couple of balls on the ground that I didn’t like. It was better, better execution by all three phases which is what we wanted. Better than the day before.”
The secondary played well again in day two. Second-year cornerback Leshaun Sims made a tough deflection during team drills. But, wide receiver Tre McBride got the best of the defense making a leaping touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone to close practice.
Second-year running back Derrick Henry also made back-to-back, deep touchdown receptions in 1-on-1’s.
Brown “standing out”
Titans fifth-round pick, rookie linebacker Jayon Brown, is making his presence known during this mini-camp. The UCLA product made a few big plays in Wednesday’s practice in the passing game deflecting a few passes in team drills, and also intercepting a pass.
“He has come in here and made a lot of plays. I think he has come in here and opened up not just coaches eyes but he’s opened up his teammates eyes with some of the plays,” Mularkey said on Brown’s day. “He’s fast. That is evident. That is one thing you get to see when we do one-on-one drills is his ability to cover and his speed shows up all the time.”
Brown led the Pac 12 in tackles during his senior season with the Bruins and also had three interceptions. Coach Mularkey has said he likes the options Brown provides covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game.
