For those of you who are attending the opening of training camp, please post your thoughts in this thread. If you take photos, post them here:

http://www.gotitans.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=79

Let's go campin'!

Two sessions today?

By the way, shouldn't it be diamond in the rough (rep comments)

Just the p.m. session. 40% chance of thunder boomers. The first sign of lightning and they'll go into the bubble.

Might be a good idea to check the radar before heading out.

Figures. Hasn't stormed in a month in the Nashville area and decides to start today. Greeeaaaaattt.

Since I haven't been before, I don't know... when they go into the bubble, are spectators not allowed?

Since I haven't been before, I don't know... when they go into the bubble, are spectators not allowed?
Nope. The fans are sent home.

And if the field is real wet, I wonder if Fisher will want the guys on there. We don't need a "hammy" on the first day.

They may release an announcement by 2.

http://www.titansonline.com/news/newsmain_detail.php?PRKey=5830

SUMMARY: The Tennessee Titans opened training camp to better than typical late July weather and a big crowd. The team wore shorts and shells as practice started out with the punting units. I noticed Brandon Jones, Chris Davis and Chris Carr handling the return duties. A number of players were working at the gunner spot including Michael Griffin, Paul Williams, Cortland Finnegan, Rey Hill, Eric King, Justin McCareins and Biren Ealy.

View full article (http://www.gotitans.com/artman2/publish/article_00_2625.shtml)
What do you think about this story? post your comments below.

The Tennessean report:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/SPORTS01/80725137/1027

NCP Report:
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=61687

Great report Jeff. Clearly better than the tripe the official outlets serve up.

Thanks.

Thanks Jeff! Great stuff.

I found this...

Titans Radio Podcast (http://www.titansradio.com/audio08/podcast.mp3)

Great stuff. Thanks Jeff.

When I woke up from my nap this afternoon, it was storming and raining. It reminded me of the opening of camp in Clarksville when it was a complete downpour!

So anyway, perhaps it was just me, but there was no excitement today. Maybe it's because they made the playoffs and they aren't quite so hungry this upcoming season. Maybe Vince's confidence in the new offensive scheme has calmed the rest of the guys. Maybe it's because there are so many old guys on the team now.

need mo'thugz!

Appreciate the report(s) Jeff, especially since I can't make it down for camp this year. Was Tricia out there yesterday too?

Nope. They are on the road to Michigan for a wedding this weekend.

But the Titans have given us three days to cover the team so plans are to be there on Tuesday for the first two-a-day and full pads session. Tricia will get some great shots. I'll do a report after each session.

I'm hopeful to talk to a couple of players as well.

Good stuff then. Enjoy it as always...

TJ, what do you mean by "the titans have given us three days to cover the team?" Do you and Tricia get more access, or are your reports going to be put somewhere besides this site?

From talking to Trish last year, if I remember right, they get to go behind the scenes of BSP....be on the practice field.....eat with the guys....stuff like that. Feel free to correct me though Jeff!

I mainly watched the WRs and RBs throughout the practice yesterday. Ealy and Hawkins both were pretty impressive. Hawkins will be a legit WR on this team within a short period of time. Antonio Johnson also caught my eye a few times during 11 on 11 drills. You can tell by just looking at him that he's EXTREMELY strong. He was pretty disruptive, but he was mostly playing against the 2nd team O. As TJ mentioned, I heard Washburn getting on Hayes' azz a few times. I think Wash sees a huge diamond in the ruff with Hayes and is going to do all he can to get it out of him.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, BMW looked like crap (and I'm a big BMW supporter obviously). Davis and BJ didn't exactly light it up either. BMW just looks like he could care less. He seems to be out there to socialize and run his mouth instead of working to make the squad. In team drills he had 2 balls thrown his way, 1 was broken up by Rey, and the other was underthrown by Collins. He could have caught both, but didn't. He didn't even make contact with the underthrown ball. I know it was only the first day of camp, and hopefully he gets a little better, but I'd say he was outplayed by every WR on the team yesterday...including Ed Williams.

Davis and BJ just don't bring much to the table IMO. I think both of them had 1 catch and 1 drop. Nothing terrible, but nothing productive either.

Vince wasn't very accurate throwing the deep ball yesterday, he overthrew a couple of routes down the sideline, but he looked pretty good within 15 yards. He made a couple of nice passes to Alge across the middle, threading the needle both times. He wasn't hesitant to run the ball either which is a good thing.

LenDale looks a little slimmer and a step quicker. He's still on the portly side of the scales but he did look a bit more trim. He also had his usual bulky long-sleeved undershirt on, so it was hard to get a good look at his midsection. Chris Henry made a couple of nice moves on some runs, but I'm not going to put too much stock into that. Chris Johnson was there watching with the team, but wasn't dressed out or participating in anything obviously.

All in all, it was a decent practice. No-one really stood out, but it was the first day. I posted some pictures. Nothing too special since I don't have much of a camera, but they will do.

TJ, what do you mean by "the titans have given us three days to cover the team?" Do you and Tricia get more access, or are your reports going to be put somewhere besides this site?
For the past few years, we've ask for the site to be an accredited media source. This would allow use the same access as the newspapers and radio/TV.

Each year, we're declined but it doesn't stop us from asking. ;) They do give us three days of training camp which allows us to go onto the field and get a bit closer to the players. Sometimes, I get into the locker room and ask a few questions.

Thanks for the report and the photos.

I plan on watching the WRs more today.

Who is BMW?

Who is BMW?

Big Mike Williams

That's the first time I've heard that nickname for him. I'm glad Hoffa asked. Clearly, however, you're all over it. Sad to hear that he didn't look good, but hopefully he'll make some substantially better showings. However, what you described is exactly what I've feared about him from the beginning.

That's the first time I've heard that nickname for him. I'm glad Hoffa asked. Clearly, however, you're all over it. Sad to hear that he didn't look good, but hopefully he'll make some substantially better showings. However, what you described is exactly what I've feared about him from the beginning.

Sorry I didn't clarify. I heard someone call him that once and it's just kind of stuck with me.

I've been a big fan of his since his days of dominating at USC. I was glad we picked him up in November but didn't expect too much. After hearing he'd dropped close to 30 lbs in the off-season, I got my hopes up thinking he could be the guy that he was drafted to be. But after seeing him yesterday, I'm really losing hope that he'll make the team. I kept a close eye on him and he really didn't do anything. When it wasn't his turn to participate in drills, he would be standing around nonchalantly like he really didn't care to be there. Now, I realize that yesterday was the first day and everyone was just easing back into things but I just got a bad vibe from watching him.

I hope, for he and his family's sake, he at least gives an effort in his last attempt to make it on an NFL team. If not, then I guess it's off to sacking groceries somewhere in the Tampa area. I doubt ol' wifey will be too happy with him at that point. Only time will tell, and it shall be an interesting ride.