Tennessee Titans: What Stood Out at Camp Day 15
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Training camp will officially close Friday for the Tennessee Titans after a quick walk-through and a preseason game Saturday against the New England Patriots. Much was learned from the defending Super Bowl champions' visit. But this will not be an observation about Brady or Bill. Each day, we will analyze the biggest […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Training camp will officially close Friday for the Tennessee Titans after a quick walk-through and a preseason game Saturday against the New England Patriots. Much was learned from the defending Super Bowl champions' visit.
But this will not be an observation about Brady or Bill.
Each day, we will analyze the biggest takeaway, individual stand-out or topic du jour that came out of practice and what it could mean for the upcoming season. Let’s take a look at A.J. Brown's swagger…
With a potential four-game suspension looming for Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan, questions loom about who will be the "energy guy" for Tennessee's offense. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is not overtly vocal and tight end Delanie Walker boasts a subtle kind of swagger. But whom will the Titans have to be the hype man in the group?
Enter: A.J. Brown.
Things got testy on a hot afternoon at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Brown and Patriots corner Stephon Gilmore, facing off across from each other, got tangled up and started shoving. Devin McCourty, Jonathan Jones, Corey Davis and Tajae Sharpe began pushing back and forth before Titans coach Mike Vrabel and GM Jon Robinson broke it all up.
"If that's a fight to you, man you've never been in a fight," Vrabel said after practice. "We just don't want any punches thrown."
Brown instigating whatever happened today against Gilmore speaks to a fearlessness rookies typically do not display. Outside of fighting, the second round pick was making contested catches and posting up defensive backs during red zones to make athletic plays on the ball. The best thing I saw today was an incompletion intended for Brown in the back of the end zone. With a Patriot draped over him, Brown contorted his body completely around in mid motion, got two hands on the ball but only one foot before landing out of bounds.
Outside of Tom Brady, it was the best thing I saw today.
"Regardless of who it is, disrespect is disrespect," said Brown. "You can't tolerate disrespect at any age. So I was just trying to do my job, I was just trying to get back to the huddle."
Mariota and Co. need to marinate in a little bit of Brown's sauce this season to get their energy up as a unit. With Lewan not there to rage, the rookie's spark is a necessity.
