Malik Willis gets instant revenge, other Titans QB practice notes
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis has come a long way from where he was at this time last season. As a rookie in training camp, Willis went through a lot of growing pains. That includes getting benched for Logan Woodside during a preseason game in Baltimore because Mike Vrabel wanted him to "throw the ball more." […]
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis has come a long way from where he was at this time last season.
As a rookie in training camp, Willis went through a lot of growing pains. That includes getting benched for Logan Woodside during a preseason game in Baltimore because Mike Vrabel wanted him to "throw the ball more."
This time around, the vibe surrounding Willis has changed drastically, and the former Liberty Flames QB is being praised by his coaches for an offseason of development and improvement.
When Titans head coach Mike Vrabel opened training camp with a press conference earlier this week, he said that Willis has shown "glaring improvement" since the spring. On Wednesday, Vrabel said that Willis was "very very close" to being honored as a Titans offseason award winner and also gave Willis credit for "seeking truth" and asking for feedback about his game. Titans coaches have been honest with Willis, and he has taken those critiques in stride.
"Just his appearance, his attitude, (he's) smiling and just playing football," said Vrabel about what he has liked to see from Willis. "Playing quarterback in this league as a young player is something very different and so, I think that experience, that offseason has helped him and then we'll continue to work with him and improve."
"It's been cool, I'm just trying to come in and work hard every day. Try to develop a role, that's what [Vrabel] always says," Willis said of his development during training camp.
Part of developing as an NFL quarterback is being able to put mistakes behind you and move on to the next play seamlessly. One bad play cannot carry over into the next, and Willis has never done a better job of putting things behind him than he did on Saturday.
During the live team period of practice, Willis threw an interception to Titans defensive end Rashad Weaver, who had dropped back into coverage and made a nice grab. The Titans' defense went crazy, celebrating the turnover by mobbing Weaver and showering him with water.
But instead of one mistake turning into two, Willis got instant revenge. On the very next play, Tennessee's second-year quarterback dropped back and delivered a deep ball right into the arms of wide receiver Chris Moore, who coasted into the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown. It was undoubtedly the offensive highlight of the day.
Just two plays later during Willis' next series, he remained poised in the pocket and delivered a beautiful pass to the left sideline in a tight window to Colton Dowell. Defensive back Elijah Molden got home for a "sack," but Willis finished the play strong and threw a really good ball. That has been another point of emphasis for Tennessee's young quarterbacks.
"More than anything it's finish the play," Willis said about continuations after practice sacks. "No endings that aren't real. Just because it's a sack in the game…right now we're not getting hit, so we don't want to have artificial endings to our plays. We only have so many reps out here."
While the early returns from Willis in camp have been positive, Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is still working hard to build his chemistry with DeAndre Hopkins.
Will Levis continues to compete, and feels like he is now "seeing the bigger picture better." Levis saw the least action of any of the quarterbacks during team period, but he completed all four of his passes during 11-on-11. It was a nice bounce back day for Levis on Saturday after a less than sharp practice on Friday.