Tennessee Titans training camp notes: defense day 5

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: Wesley Woodyard
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: Wesley Woodyard

The Tennessee Titans most dominant unit produces again.

Right now the Tennessee Titans are defensive minded team, and that shouldn’t be an issue with Mike Vrabel, Dean Pees and Kerry Coombs all in the building.

So, who made the plays today?

-Let’s start with Kevin Byard who was Johnny on the spot when he picked up a Mariota fumble on a bootleg and took it the other way with what would have been a touchdown.

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-Rico Gafford needs to be talked about. I don’t know if he is a good DB, but he reportedly ran a 4.23 and one scouted had him at a 4.19 at his Pro Day. Now, he is at camp and making plays here and there. If he is going to play special teams as a gunner, blocker, kick returner, and on coverage then I am really interested to see if him in the preseason and throughout camp.

-Will Compton continues to make an impression on defense. This time with physical play, but generally it sounds like he has been a really solid pick.

-My two favorite late round linebackers from years past continue to thrive in Tennessee. Jayon Brown is knocking away passes from Delanie Walker and Aaron Wallace flying around a pressuring QBs. Those two have a chance to give this defense a spark as athletic off ball LBs.

-Brian Orakpo and Rashaan Evans are both missing practice. I am not worried about Orakpo at all who has been a wrecking ball when healthy as usually. Evans concerns me a little because it is supposedly a heat issue and it really hasn’t been that hot at camp this year. If he is going to play a lot vs Miami in Week 1 he needs to be ready for that heat.

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-Surprisingly, no interception from Malcolm Butler today. I say that jokingly, but I do actually think that this is the first practice since he was signed that he hasn’t had an interception.

-Adoree Jackson and Logan Ryan have been complimented on their coverage all training camp, they just don’t have many big plays to show for it. Right now they are living their “My-man-don’t-catch’-no-pass” (or something close to that) and keeping receivers frustrated, which is great it just doesn’t grab the headlines like Butler.

-Wesley Woodyard has been called out by name by Mike Vrabel as a coach on the field and he has praised his work ethic. I think he sees a lot of himself in Woodyard and I think if he gets off to a good start this year there could be a quiet in-season extension.

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