Titans training camp observations: Will Levis and offense improve, NPF returns from injury

NASHVILLE - After one day off and one private practice to end the week, the Tennessee Titans were on the field at Saint Thomas Sports Park for training camp on Saturday morning.

With just one week remaining until the Titans' first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, thing are really heating up on the practice field.

Titans fans will be happy to know that quarterback Will Levis and the offense looked much improved on Saturday. The pass protection had been noticeably been to begin camp, even after the pads went on, but Levis had more time to throw on Saturday and was pushing the ball down the field more frequently than he was before.

Levis opened full-team period with a deep completion to Chig Okonkwo on a layered pass across the middle. A little while later he connected with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on a deep shot up the sideline (Tre Avery beat in coverage) for a long touchdown.

In 7-on-7, Levis completed two consecutive passes to Calvin Ridley. The first was a back shoulder throw with great touch and Ridley demonstrated fantastic body control to bring down. It was the type of play that is unguardable for a defensive back. On the very next snap, Ridley ran a twitchy stick route cross the middle and crated five yards of seperation before hauling in the pass.

I watched Ridley very closely on Saturday and left practice blown away by his speed and route-running technique. He is undoubtedly the fastest Titans wide receiver I have seen in my time covering the team, but possibly even more impressive is how quickly Ridley is able to stop and get into his break.

There is nobody that Ridley cannot outrun. Levis has had trouble throwing accurate deep balls to him so far in camp, largely because Levis is not used to have how fast Ridley is. When the two are able to figure out the timing and these throws become muscle memory for Levis, it's going to be an explosive play clinic.

More Notes

- Third-year linebacker Chance Campbell had a good day today. Campbell recorded a sack, a goal line PBU, and a near INT during the team period of today's practice.

- Both Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis threw touchdown passes during the red zone period of practice. Rudolph connected with Mason Kinsey for a score while Willis threaded the needle to Jha'Quan Jackson.

- Nicholas Petit-Frere returned to the practice field after a long hiatus. It was the first time NPF has put on a helmet since October. In speaking with the media after practice, Petit-Frere was more comfortable and confident than I have heard him in quite some time, likely because he is so relieved to finally be healthy and playing football again.

- "I already did in twice, why not a third time?," said Petit-Frere when I asked him about trying to win the starting job at right tackle. As of now, I think I'd still have NPF as the favorite in that training camp battle.

- Jamal Adams did not practice on Saturday, The cause for his absence is still unknown, but Adams has not been seen on the practice field for a full week now.

- Saahdiq Charles did not practice on Saturday. Head coach Brian Callahan said Charles was out for "personal reasons."

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