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NFL training camp notepad: Titans' young cornerstones on offense taking extra steps to succeed

charles robinson
Senior reporter
·2-min read

Yahoo Sports Senior NFL Reporter Charles Robinson is out on the road covering training camps. Today's stop: the Tennessee Titans.

When the Titans' new coaching staff met for the first time with Will Levis in the building, he took it upon himself to go find the meeting in the complex and introduce himself to the staff and shake their hands one by one. His on-field performance is going to be the main thing, but he’s being intentional in his effort to lead as a QB.

My first thought when I saw second-round defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat on the field: “Holy [bleep].” It’s hard to quantify how scary his good snaps are when he’s next to Jeffery Simmons. Keeping his conditioning up will be vital, but if that happens, interior offensive lines will be in trouble with Sweat and Simmons.

(J'Kel Anderson/Yahoo Sports)
(J'Kel Anderson/Yahoo Sports)

Third-year WR Treylon Burks reported to camp at his lowest weight since being drafted and the staff feels like he has turned a corner with his approach and conditioning. Now he must take advantage of the added looks he’s getting with DeAndre Hopkins sidelined with a knee injury. This camp is make or break for Burks’ future in Tennessee.

In terms of touches, I don’t get the sense there’s a true No. 1 running back between Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. They both do some similar things, so it could be a hot hand or situational opportunities that set them apart. Clearly, both will get plenty of looks. It just doesn’t seem like one has a dominant edge over the other right now.

New head coach Brian Callahan ran a good practice Sunday. Not only did it go the full two hours — in pads — the tempo was consistent and the competition between offense and defense was spirited. Frankly, camp practices aren’t what they used to be. You know when you see a good, physical day of work.

Rookie first-rounder JC Latham is settling in nicely at left tackle thus far, showcasing a lot of polish that elite Alabama players usually have coming into the league. He spent a week of the offseason training with San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams — a move Latham sought on his own. If he can settle in as the Titans’ cornerstone tackle, the line will take a big step forward in a dedicated multi-year build.