SANTA CLARA, Calif. ― The Tennessean trekked out west to watch, observe and learn from the Tennessee Titans' joint practice with the San Francisco 49erson Aug. 11, the first of three joint practices the Titans will use to evaluate their roster against some of the league's best competition this summer.
Here are the highlights, the lessons learned and the major takeaways from The Tennessean's observation
time.Titans vs 49ers joint practice observations: What we saw in San Francisco
About that new-look Titans secondary...
If there's one thing causing me concern coming out of this practice, it's the starting secondary. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had no trouble finding receivers downfield, carving up the new-look cornerback duo of Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott and pretty easily navigating the ball around safety Amani Hooker, who seemed to have a rough
day. Even when the field shrunk in red zone drills, the first-line defensive backs allowed a pair of passing touchdowns ― one on an in-breaking route to a receiver and the other on an out-breaking route to a tight end ― and two more easy pitch-and-catch completions for first downs.
Now, look, it's easy to throw some caveats out here. First, we've always known the strength of this Titans defense is on the front seven, not the back end. Second, that front seven isn't full strength; John Franklin-Myers didn't practice and Jacob Martin left early with a knee injury, but he was walking around without assistance or any visible pain after practice. Third, it's impossible to know how many deep plays in practices would've actually worked in real games when quarterbacks are live targets.
All that said, it's not as if the Niners were crushing the Titans with a barrage of passes to big-name receivers Mike Evans or Deebo Samuel. On top of that, star TE George Kittle and star RB Christian McCaffrey didn't practice. The Niners' downfield success came on passes to guys like Demarcus Robinson and De'Zhaun Stribling. The Titans didn't invest all this free agent money in Taylor and Flott, or in an extension to Hooker, for them to struggle in coverage against No. 3 targets.
Examining Cam Ward and the Titans' offense
At its best, the offense looked on Aug. 11 like the idealized version of what Brian Callahan, Mike McCoy and the old regime always strived to install. The unit stayed ahead of schedule, for the most part, with easy completions and positive runs on early downs. Tyjae Spears looked shifty from the backfield. Ward's chemistry with the tight ends and backs on quick play-action rhythm plays was commendable. More often than not, the offensive line got a push on run plays, particularly from the right side.
But the inconsistent moments were there too, and they came in situations the offense should be graduating toward improving at. Ward was erratic, admitting he missed a couple of potential explosive throws targeted for Carnell Tate and also missed Calvin Ridley on a scramble drill. The offensive line struggled through a tough stretch of plays in a move-the-ball team period, especially after LT Dan Moore Jr., was ejected for throwing a punch, and the stretch culminated in a Ward interception. The Titans committed multiple procedure penalties on the practice-ending, two-minute drill and barely crossed midfield before ending the session on a failed Hail Mary attempt.
The physicality is obvious, and the rhythm plays seem like they'll be effective. But this wasn't an encouraging day as far as showing that the Titans will be able to thrive with difference-making plays in crucial moments.
More Titans-49ers observations
- Cody Barton had a nice day. At least one TFL on a pass play and another two pass breakups, one where he leapt high and went full extension to bat away a downfield throw.
- Robert Saleh isn't crowning any leaders in the RG competition quite yet, but it's fair to say that rookie Fernando Carmona Jr., is at the very least being given the opportunity to seize the job for himself.
- In addition to the Martin and Franklin-Myers injuries, Saleh offered the following updates: Flott left toward the end of practice out of precaution with minor bruising. Rookie DL Jackie Marshall is dealing with an oblique and will miss another week or two. Franklin-Myers (lower back) should return next week.
- Kicker Joey Slye had a pretty solid bounce-back day after kicking off shaky footing last week.
- Nazeeh Johnson and Mario Goodrich III, two cornerbacks the Titans signed after the start of camp, both intercepted passes. Not bad for depth.
What's next?
The Titans and 49ers will take the field again for their preseason matchup on Aug. 13. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Channel 2 in Nashville.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What I learned from Titans-49ers joint practice: Highlights, takeaways, observations
