How Ryan Tannehill's practice habits are benefitting Robert Woods for Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE — Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and wide receiver Robert Woods have both been full participants in all 15 training camp practices this summer. The Tennessee Titans will need every last one of those banked reps to pay dividends this coming season. A lot is riding on the Tannehill-Woods connection looking crisp. Woods has acclimated in […]
NASHVILLE — Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and wide receiver Robert Woods have both been full participants in all 15 training camp practices this summer. The Tennessee Titans will need every last one of those banked reps to pay dividends this coming season.
A lot is riding on the Tannehill-Woods connection looking crisp.
Woods has acclimated in Tennessee well, as expected. His availability has allowed he and Tannehill to get into the second and third layers of offensive installation at an efficient pace. Titans coaches and teammates point to Woods as the classic case study of what it means to "be a pro."
What Woods is gaining from Tannehill has been equally as important.
Woods and Tannehill settling in
Ahead of Saturday's preseason game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee's veterans have tried to maximize the efficiency of joint camp work.
The Titans coaching staff limits exhibition action for the majority of their front-line players, choosing to utilize those snaps for further roster evaluation. Woods and Tannehill are not expected to participate before the regular season beings at home on Sept. 11 against the New York Giants. Playing together in the preseason will not accomplish any significant goal that the two players need to reach.
Right now, it is about the practice reps.
"For the starters, this is the closest thing we're going to get to a game rep," Woods said this week on 104.5 The Zone. "With guys coming in from other teams, this is their chance to make their team and leave an impression on two teams now. So, guys are coming in here with very high intensity all around the ball. I love when we bring these joint practices in."
Tannehill, Woods and the rest of Tennessee's starting offense got good looks from the Tampa defense on both days with largely successful results.
Actual pressure on the quarterback is not a factor in practice, of course,. The Bucs defensive personnel and practice schemes presented a different challenge than this iteration of Titans offense has seen thus far. Woods and Tannehill connected several times including a touchdown reception from 20-yards out in two-minute work on Wednesday.
Titans passing game getting consistent work together
If you consumed any of Tennessee's games (or practices, for that matter) in 2021, you know how big of a deal simple player availability is.
Tannehill, Woods, tight end Austin Hooper, slot receiver Kyle Philips along with the Titans primary running backs and offensive linemen have been present and together through each day of training camp. Building on day-by-day progress has been possible for the group because the personnel has been reliably out there.
Tannehill is quick to make corrections immediately after each rep where time allows, and approaches his routine with intensity.
"I knew that (Tannehill) was competitive, but seeing him out here in person and seeing how he loves to compete," Woods said of his quarterback. "He's going to try and keep the play alive, scrambling, making the downfield throw anywhere. He wants to win. You see it in his nature. How he attacks practice. How he attacks the walk-throughs. He takes it real serious."
Tennessee's offseason brought questions about how much better or worse their receiving corps had gotten in the absence of A.J. Brown. Provided they get continued time to work together, Tannehill to Woods has plenty of promise.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
