The Tennessee Titans got their 2015 OTA program started on Tuesday morning, and after a big holiday weekend, it was a full day at Saint Thomas Sports Park. So get your coffee, and let’s get to the news!
Some things to know as Titans kick off OTAs – Jim Wyatt The Tennesseean
The Titans kick off their organized team activities today at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
A few things to know:
The basics
– Practice is closed to fans.
– It’s the first of 10 scheduled OTAs for the Titans.
– Reporters can watch practice, which begins at 10:45 a.m., but live-tweeting isn’t allowed. Expect to see a flood of tweets from those who cover the team around 12:30 p.m.
– A second OTA is open to the media on Wednesday.
– All OTAs are “voluntary” for players. The team has a mandatory minicamp June 16-18.
QB Marcus Mariota up and down in first practice with Titans – Paul Kuharsky ESPN
Quarterback Marcus Mariota had the up-and-down day typically expected of a rookie in his first OTA practice with veterans Tuesday atTitans headquarters.
“I felt comfortable out there being able to articulate everything that the coaches wanted,” Mariota said. “… I threw it all right. I missed a couple throws here and there but for the most part I thought it was OK.”
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the defense is a bit ahead of the offense, as is typical at the start.
“I guess the best assessment would be some good, some bad,” he said. “Probably what you expect.”
Titans Defense Poised for Breakout Season – Lucas Davis – PFSpot
Even though it is the Tennessee Titans’ offense that has been getting all of the attention as of late, the defense is the side of the ball that is poised for a breakout season in Nashville thanks to a strong makeover from the front office in the offseason.
After selecting quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Titans have been uncharacteristically in the news at an alarming rate due to the popularity of the young signal caller. However, with the moves made prior to the draft, it is the Titans’ defense that has a chance to make a complete turnaround and will have largest improvement from last season.
Marcus Mariota adjusting to huddle, but ‘fits naturally’ with Tennessee Titans – AP The Oregonian
Marcus Mariota never had to worry about huddling up to call plays at Oregon — he and the Oregon Ducks simply glanced to the sideline for what to run next.
Now with the Tennessee Titans, it’s up to Mariota to huddle up his teammates and call a play only he has received from the sideline. The play can be as short as three words or as long as 11.
“For me, learning a whole new system, I have to go over it constantly so that I know what’s going in,” Mariota said.
Mariota vs. Mettenberger: No battle for Titans QB job – Jim Wyatt The Tennessean
Zach Mettenberger played along, but he couldn’t keep from smiling when discussing the “battle” between himself and rookie Marcus Mariota.
“I would fight him to the death right now,” Mettenberger said of Mariota. “Give me an axe and give him a mace or something, and we’ll do it.”
In reality, there will be no fight for the starting quarterback spot with the Titans — on or off the field.
The plan is for Mariota, the team’s second overall pick, to be the starter in Week One at Tampa Bay. Mettenberger, who started six games last season for the Titans, will be the backup.
Can Ken Whisenhunt Make History Repeat Itself? – Lambert Scouting Music City Miracles
All of the sudden, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the run game in Nashville. The Titans will attempt to turn what was a disaster in 2014 into something of a strength for 2015. Ruston Webster added power and beef up front by selecting the likes of Jeremiah Poutasi, Jalston Fowler, David Cobb and Andy Gallik. So what are they up to? What is the master plan here? In my opinion, it feels oddly similar to 2013. The 2013 San Diego Chargers, specifically.
Let me explain.
Ken Whisenhunt took a step back for the 2013 season, accepting the offensive coordinator job in San Diego. Whisenhunt went just 18-30 after the retirement of Kurt Warner, bringing his time as the head man in Arizona to a painful close.
Next: Tennessee Titans OTA Notes 5/26