As far as joint training camp practices go, Thursday’s session was as entertaining as they come from a Bucs and Titans perspective. There was plenty of tension, from right guard Cody Mauch throwing defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons to the ground to the big, sidelines-clearing brawl in the middle of practice.
The sweltering Tampa Bay heat played a factor in making both squads more agitated, and seeing different competition ensured there would be no love lost on the football field.
With all of that being said, Tennessee was still grateful for the chance to compete on Thursday as they prepare for the coming season.
Titans HC Brian Callahan: The Bucs Are “A Talented Team”
Before practice kicked off, Titans head coach Brian Callahan spoke very highly about the Bucs and what they have been able to accomplish in recent seasons.
“I mean, a talented team, especially in the trenches,” Callahan said. “The offensive and defensive line got some good players; it’s a good test for us. The schemes are really, really solid. Obviously, [head coach Todd Bowles’] defensive scheme is really aggressive, it’s exotic in nature.”
Titans HC Brian Callahan – Photo by: USA Today
Callahan continued, but in doing so also revealed what Pewter Report learned over the offseason and something that fans have hoped to see more from Todd Bowles’ defense – playing more press and man coverage. That is what Tennessee’s head coach gathered after meeting with Bowles beforehand to discuss the different practice periods and the points of emphasis each team wanted to place on them.
“I know they’ve talked about some things that hopefully we see a little bit of. In terms of press coverage, man coverage, and things they’re trying to maybe do a little bit more of. I think the offensive scheme and offensive talent is as good as anybody’s in football. It’s a good football team; you don’t win 10 games on accident. They’ve managed to be really competitive for a lot of years now. They do a really good job.”
Being an offensive-minded head coach with a focus on coaching up quarterbacks, Brian Callahan and his father Bill, who is the Titans’ offensive line coach, saw first overall pick Cameron Ward and the trenches get nice work in against all of the different blitz looks the Bucs’ defense threw their way.
Titans QB Cameron Ward and HC Brian Callahan – Photo by: USA Today
It was a back-and-forth practice, with Ward throwing an interception to outside linebacker Haason Reddick and avoiding some close calls, but he and the rest of the team had to handle facing a defense that is not the easiest to diagnose pre-snap.
Ward already believes the Bucs have one of the better defensive units around.
“This is one of the best defenses out there in the league,” Ward said after Thursday’s practice. “They gave us some good work. There were a couple of times we had some explosives on them. I think both groups today got better.”
Veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett believed the Titans came out and executed their offensive gameplan, but that does not mean it did not come without challenges. Ward and backup quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle had to set things up with short passes and get the ground game going before trying to test Tampa Bay’s secondary.
After speaking very highly of the Bucs on Thursday, the Titans will get an extended chance to compete against them during both teams’ preseason opener on Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium. If it is anything like how joint practice went, get your popcorn ready.
