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On Monday, April 17, the Tennessee Titans’ players and staff will report to St. Thomas Sports Park to begin the first phase of the voluntary offseason program.
Monday is the first day that coaches and players can discuss football-related topics since the conclusion of last season.
According to Jason Wolf of the Tennessean, Marcus Mariota will be in attendance for the start of Monday’s activities.
The nine-week voluntary offseason program is, by NFL rule, conducted in three phases.
Monday's start of #Titans' offseason program "is going to feel like the first day of school," says @RealLoganRyan at #sportsfest2017.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 15, 2017
The following rules are mandated by Article 21 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Phase One: April 17 - May 1
A two-week period during which activities are limited to strength-and-conditioning and physical rehabilitation only. No football activities allowed.
Phase Two: May 1 - May 22
Three weeks of on-field workouts, which may include individual player instruction and drills, as well as team practice conducted on a "separate" basis. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
Phase Three: May 22 - June 19
For the final four weeks of the program, teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or "OTAs." No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills will take place.
The Titans 10 permitted OTAs will be held on May 23-25, May 30-31, June 1, and June 5-8.
Additionally, teams may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players, which will take place for the Titans from June 13-15.
These dates which be directly related to the scheduling of preseason games. You’ll notice teams that start and end their practice sessions on similar days will play most of their preseason games on the same days.
Many Titans are making their way back to Nashville in preparation for Monday.
.@RealLoganRyan drove 24 hours straight with only stops for his dogs to return to Nashville. Recently married in St. Lucia. #sportsfest2017
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 15, 2017
Others have taken to social media to express their anticipation over getting back on the field finally.
Starting back up Monday#TitanUp #2017
— Antwaun Woods Sr. (@AntwaunWoods_) April 12, 2017
This is the first step of a long journey towards the start of football season...