Work ethic and leadership are buzzwords leading up to the NFL Draft, and Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been consistently praised for those intangibles by teammates, coaches, and analysts.
The problem with intangibles is that, by the very definition of the word, it is hard to quantify them. How do you measure the leadership or work ethic of one prospect against another to see which one comes out on top?
Instead of thinking about it that way, most people just refer to the combination of these things as the "it" factor. Throughout minicamp and OTAs, Ward provided sound bites and plays that made you believe he has it, but a recent video of him working during the dead period proves he possesses those qualities.
In that 20-minute video, you see Ward assembling the Titans rookie pass catchers and Chig Okonkwo at the facilities of the Miami Hurricanes. Ward is infamous for starting his days early, and this video provides further proof of that, as he states that he arrived at the facilities at 4:18am when someone asks him whether he was there by 4:30.
He even calls out Okonkwo for being late and delaying the workout because he got stuck in traffic. Despite the veteran only being a few minutes late, they start the practice without Okonkwo and work him in later.
Cam Ward displays strong leadership qualities in organized throwing session
Later in the throwing session, Ward and his college teammate, Xavier Restrepo, argue about the depth on a certain route despite the pass being a completion. Ward thought the route was too deep, and Restrepo countered, saying that he was right because he was supposed to cut on the fourth step of his inside foot.
When you read all of that, it might not stand out as anything unusual, but that is because we have been watching Ward be a leader since he was drafted. However, think about what is happening during all of this and contextualize it.
Not only did the rookie get permission to use Miami's facilities during the offseason, but he also organized and ran a throwing session with several of his young pass catchers. During that practice, Ward wasn't afraid to call out a veteran for being late. Ward also wasn't afraid to correct Restrepo for potentially being wrong on a route that ended up in a completion because the details are the most important aspects of these sessions.
Then, after everyone left, Ward stayed behind and did some cardio on the field before working out in Miami's weight room. He ended the morning by signing some autographs for waiting fans.
Showing up early, staying late, focusing on the details, forcing teammates to focus on them as well, and making sure that sessions like this even happen, those are all tangible results that you get when your quarterback has the right intangibles. That is what is giving Titans fans hope for the first time in half a decade.