Cam Ward practice observations: The good and bad from not-so-sharp Tennessee Titans afternoon
June 3 wasn't the sharpest day of practice for Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans offense.
The team opened OTA practices to media for the second time this offseason on a day where Ward was repeatedly tested with simulated third down scenarios, meaning difficult downs-and-distances and blitz packages to react to. Ward finished his day 11-for-20 passing between 7-on-7 and full team activities.
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This included picking up six would-be first downs in 11 opportunities in the 7-on-7 period and completing a couple of passes into tight windows with pressure in his face against a full defense. He also had one pass dropped, sailed a throw because of a miscommunication with a receiver, had one pass broken up, threw behind receivers on at least two occasions and narrowly missed converting on two open deep shots.
The highlight of Ward's day came on his first dropback of the team period. On a first-and-10 rep, Ward took advantage of a play-action look to buy time downfield and fire to receiver Jha'Quan Jackson on a crossing route, who navigated his way through traffic to get open 20-25 yards downfield for a big gainer.
BRING BREAKFAST: Why Cam Ward organized 5 a.m. Titans meetings, and what's happening within the inner circle
In fact, most of Ward's big gainers in this practice either came as results of play-action or targets over the middle, situations where he also found Calvin Ridley, Colton Dowell, Xavier Restrepo and Chig Okonkwo. His over-the-middle completion to Dowell, thrown in 7-on-7 drills, likely would've gone for a touchdown in live action.
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Still, Ward missed on some of his biggest opportunities. He overthrew Ridley on a deep crossing route where the star receiver had broken open behind the coverage, and he couldn't connect with James Proche II on a go ball that slipped through the diving Proche's outstretched fingers close to the sideline.
He also threw behind Ridley on his last throw, one that could be considered a drop but wasn't a perfect throw, and behind Restrepo on a crossing route that Restrepo caught but had to extend to grab. Notably, there were also two throws underneath that Ward forced into tight windows. One fell incomplete and the other was broken up by cornerback Amani Oruwariye.
Tennessee Titans news: Other OTA notes, big moments
Dowell continues to be more involved in his first live action practices against a defense since injuring his knee at the end of the 2023 season. He faces an uphill battle to making the 53-man roster because of how many receivers the Titans have added this offseason, but remains firmly in competition with the likes of Bryce Oliver, Jha'Quan Jackson and Mason Kinsey for those final spots. Dowell found some success as a special teams gunner in 2023 and has taken some reps at that spot again in practices this offseason.
Speaking of receivers coming off injuries with uphill battles: Treylon Burks practiced again as he continues to slowly expand his workload coming back from last fall's knee surgery. Speaking with reporters, receivers coach Tyke Tolbert says he hasn't seen any shift in attitude or demeanor from Burks as the former first-round pick adjusts to competing for a roster spot rather than fighting for No. 1 target reps.
The competition for No. 2 inside linebacker is hardly settled, but inside linebackers coach Frank Bush told The Tennessean that second-year players Cedric Gray and James Williams do have a bit of an edge over the likes of waiver claims like Amari Burney and Anfernee Orji based simply on time spent within the system. Several players have taken prominent reps next to expected No. 1 ILB Cody Barton thus far. After practice, Gray told reporters he feels he's developing well despite missing most of his rookie season with injury.
Let's give some love to a position it's tough to evaluate without pads on: the folks on the defensive front. Coach Ben Bloom is working hard with his players on hand placement and gap integrity, as well as emphasizing the value of getting off the ball quickly and low to the ground. One way he's emphasized this is through a drill where four players race to see who can get out of their stance and hit a blocking dummy approximately five yards downfield the quickest.
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Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cam Ward practice observations: What we're seeing from Titans rookie
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