Titans Practice at Nissan Stadium Recap

After holding practice at Centennial High School on Friday night, the Titans were back under the lights Saturday night, this time in Nissan Stadium. Over 11,000 fans showed up to watch a scrimmage. Here are some of the highlights of the night.

• Marcus Mariota continues to get more comfortable. Tonight he took off running for a touchdown in a red zone drill which was good to see. Mularkey said he got so excited that he forgot to call the next play.

• Adoree Jackson put on a show in the return game tonight with big plays on both punt returns and kick returns. It is looking like the return job is his to lose at this point. If he does, in fact, win the job he will easily be the most exciting Titans returner since Pacman Jones.
• On the other side of the coin, Taywan Taylor struggled again in the return game putting the ball on the ground again. Taylor didn’t do any return work during his junior and senior years at Western Kentucky so its not shocking to see him look a little rusty back there. He needs to clean some things up.
• Jonnu Smith hauled in a couple touchdown catches and continues to look like a find. He catches everything and is not afraid to stick his nose in there in the run game.
• I have to bring up Mekale McKay again. I mentioned him in my write up on Monday’s practice because he stands out at receiver at 6’5" tall and 210 lbs, but he moves really well for a guy that size too. He had another good showing tonight and the buzz is starting to build.

I think its a stretch to think he makes the 53 at this point simply due to the depth the Titans have at receiver, but watch out for #2 in the preseason. He could make a move. Mularkey even said that McKay is turning heads in camp and that the quarterbacks trust him. That second part is important with this coaching staff. Pratt is getting Michael Preston flashbacks.

• Jayon Brown is back to making a name for himself as he had a great showing tonight. He flies around the field and looks extremely comfortable in coverage. He even got home on a blitz for a sack at one point.
• Chalk one up for #TeamCassel in the backup QB battle. He played well during the scrimmage and Tanney struggled throwing a couple interceptions, including one that got returned for a touchdown by reserve safety Denzel Johnson.
• Taylor Lewan picked up a rare unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a intrasquad scrimmage after blocking Nate Palmer 20 yards down field (partially after the whistle). Lewan gonna Lewan.
• For what feels like the 283rd consecutive post, I have to mention how good Derrick Henry looks. He’s got the total package and would be the unquestioned starter on at least 20 other NFL teams. His time here is coming.
• Overall the offense got the better of the defense tonight. The first team offense mostly moved the ball at will. While the defense should be better this year, this is still going to be a team driven by its offense.

The Titans have tomorrow off and then get back to Saint Thomas Sports Park on Monday night to start preparing for Preseason Game #1 at the New York Jets on Saturday at 6:30 PM CDT.