Music City Miracles
The Tennessee Titans held a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday morning. It was an excellent measuring stick for Brian Callahan’s rebuilding team. The Titans will now play the same opponent in Saturday’s Week 1 preseason opener.
We’ve identified five Titans players worth especially watching closely in Saturday’s first exhibition game.
All eyes will obviously be on rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick will play a “series or two,” according to head coach Brian Callahan. It’ll mark Ward’s first taste of official NFL action, and Titans fans will be anxious to see him perform admirably.
We’re cheating by grouping the rookie wide receivers together, but there’s too many to give them their own individual categories. Elic Ayomanor is competing for a starting role at “X” boundary receiver. Chimere Dike should play extensively on Saturday, both on offense and special teams. Ward’s favorite target Xavier Restrepo is fighting to make the 53-man roster.
The Titans paid Dan Moore Jr. handsomely via a four-year contract worth $82 million in free agency to protect Ward. Many around the league considered it an overpay, but new GM Mike Borgonzi was willing to throw money at a multi-year problem. It would be nice if Moore doesn’t have any hiccups in his series or two on Saturday.
Everyone is concerned about the Titans’ pass rush. Rookie EDGE Femi Oladejo is expected to play a sizable role alongside Arden Key and Dre’Mont Jones. Oladejo is raw, but explosive and athletic. Hopefully he makes a splash play versus the Buccaneers.
Sophomore linebacker James Williams Sr. is the heavy favorite to claim the vacant starting gig opposite Cody Barton. It hasn’t been much of an offseason “competition,” with Williams dominating first-team reps at training camp practice. A stellar showing versus the Buccaneers would help him continue securing what already feels secured.
