NASHVILLE — Coach Brian Callahan’s most important job running the Tennessee Titans (0-2) this season is to improve things around rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Refining that process will take months, not weeks as the two men look to try and make the franchise meaningfully competitive.

Through two games, the results are less than ideal.

Cam Ward does not shy away from giving or receiving feedback

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The best coaching staffs in football tailor their systems to the players, not try to force personnel to work with the coach’s scheme.

Callahan has been vocal about doing the former since being hired by Tennessee last season. As the Titans try to develop Ward in real time week-by-week, the dynamic between the coach and his quarterback seems to be productive. Progress in the “Wins” column is all that matters, however.

As they effort success, growing Ward’s comfort in the offense means finding more plays that he likes (or doesn’t).

“Sure, I think he’s done a really good job with that,” Callahan said on Wednesday. “He’s not afraid to tell me something he doesn’t like, which is really what I’m most concerned about. Most quarterbacks are going to tell you they like a lot of things because they generally do, especially if it’s just involved with throwing the ball, of course he’s going to like those things. I’m really the most concerned, though, about things that he really doesn’t like. That means more to me because as long as a quarterback’s fine with whatever the concept is, they generally can make it work. It’s the ones where they’re not certain or they don’t feel good about it, but maybe they’re afraid to say something because they think I like it or it matters to me. It doesn’t. If the quarterback doesn’t like it, I’m not calling it because they generally tend to not play well in those situations when they don’t feel confident with the play.

“So he’s been really good and that’s those things we’ve worked on over the course of training camp. And as you’re banking reps on plays, like I just I need to know, ‘Hey, how do you feel about this particular play? You don’t like, you don’t, like the throw or maybe the route’s not what you were expecting. We won’t do it.’ And that’s the feedback I need from him. More so than what he does like, because again, most guys like a lot of things, but it’s the very specific things that you’re not comfortable with that guys sometimes have a harder time of sharing and he doesn’t have that issue at all. He’s very honest about what he likes and what he doesn’t.”

Ward has been solid, with a few moments of “special” mixed in through his first two games as a pro.

Against the Denver Broncos (1-1) and the Los Angeles Rams (2-0), Ward has completed 50.8% of his passes for 287 yards and one touchdown. The rookie has not thrown an interception yet, but has been strip-sacked twice. Both fumbles were recovered by the defense.

Tennessee hosts the 2-0 Indianapolis Colts for both team’s first divisional game of the season.

Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.