Titans Training Camp Notebook: Surprise Titans receiver on track to bump fan-favorite Xavier Restrepo out of final roster spot

Tennessee Titans training camp just finished it’s first two days in pads this year, and some interesting developments have come from these first couple glimpses at the roster now that they can play “real” ball. This is when our priors begin to be challenged. And as I take stock of what has changed in my […]

Easton Freeze — Tennessee Titans Beat Writer
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Tennessee Titans training camp just finished it’s first two days in pads this year, and some interesting developments have come from these first couple glimpses at the roster now that they can play “real” ball.

This is when our priors begin to be challenged. And as I take stock of what has changed in my mind so far, one development sticks out above the rest. After week 1, which gave us three practice sessions of pad-less work, I was left wondering about this. After Day 1 in pads, I was left thinking it. And after Day 2 in pads, I might just be starting to believe it.

Fan-favorite Xavier Restrepo is actively losing his shot at making this team. And the man stealing that job is the only guy we (or, at least I) have considered a threat to do it this summer. The twist, however, is that he’s stealing the spot in a way even I wasn’t expecting.

James Proche Is Making Himself Impossible To Ignore

Have a day, James Proche. That’s what I walked out of Wednesday’s practice thinking. The 28 year old former Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens WR/PR keeps stacking days of impressive production at camp. His coaches agree: he’s had a fantastic start to the month-plus of work.

Despite getting work further down the depth chart so far in practice, he’s shined above the rest of his WR competition. He’s quick, he’s polished in his routes. He has long speed, and he’s sure-handed. His size is suboptimal, but so far, it really hasn’t mattered.

The Titans WR room has six practical locks in it right now, at least for my money: Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Van Jefferson, and Bryce Oliver. It would take something drastic for one of these guys to miss out on the final cut. That leaves just one theoretical spot, which the team doesn’t even need to fill if they don’t want to.

Many, myself included, had Xavier Restrepo penciled-in to that 7th role. But while he’s finally come alive a bit this week with the pads on, he’s still repping near the bottom of the rotation. His limitations are on display. I’m not entirely sure what he can do to get himself more opportunities at the moment.

James Proche has done the opposite. He’s been highly visible. He’s shown flashes. And while I’ve always considered him a threat to win the job due to his ability in the return game, I thought special teams was his only path. And that’s a path that the Titans are not-so-secretly trying to find another route towards filling. If somebody like Chimere Dike proves themselves a worthy returner, it renders Proche’s services unneeded.

But if he keeps performing like this on offense, his special teams ability might have little bearing on his roster status. It’s been that impressive. Here’s what Proche had to say about adjusting to Brian Callahan’s offense after Wednesday’s practice:

“I learn conceptually, so whether I’m here or somewhere else, it’s all the same concepts. You can’t really get too crazy. (Coach Callahan) just does a good job of making sure we know what to do. He verbalizes things, makes sure Cam knows. He’s a great communicator. He’s an amazing communicator, and I appreciate that. Whatever he wants the offense to be, he lets us get on the same page. He communicates that very well.”

There’s still a ton of work left to be done. Joint practices and preseason games haven’t even begun. But out to an early lead, rather decisively in this race, is James Proche.

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