When it comes to physical tools, Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward checks all of the boxes. However, some of Ward's most intriguing traits are ones that can't always be measured.
Ward's spatial awareness, ability to extend the pocket, quick decision-making, leadership, and improvisational skills are all noteworthy, but in the Titans' first practice of mandatory minicamp, he showed off a different skill.
Arden Key is one of the most talkative defenders on the Titans roster, and Femi Oladejo is quickly getting a reputation as a talker as well. However, Jeffery Simmons is still the king of the mountain for trash-talking Titans defenders, so it was when Simmons registered a would-be sack on Ward that the two started jawing at each other.
Brian Callahan recalled the play in Wednesday's press conference, saying both Simmons and Ward were trash-talking back and forth; it wasn't a situation where the veteran Pro Bowler was barking at a shellshocked rookie. It was quite the opposite, with Ward trash-talking so long that Callahan was calling the next play while the rookie signal-caller was still firing back at Simmons.
"I'm not used to calling plays to a quarterback who is still talking while I'm talking to him, and that is great," Callahan said. "So I asked him after practice, 'Just help me out here, do you need for me to wait until you finish?' and he says, 'No, I'm listening.' So he is hearing what I am telling him, and it was pretty remarkable to see all the things going on and how much he is talking, but his brain is still with me. When I'm calling a play he's doing all he is doing, but he is listening to everything that I'm telling him, and he enters the huddle and he calls the play and doesn't screw up the play call. It is pretty remarkable, I know I couldn't do that. That is just who he is, that is his personality, again if it was something that I felt like was detrimental to his ability to manage the offense and call it in the huddle I would probably have a couple of things to say to him, but he didn't miss a beat when it came to calling the play and staying on top of it, and then executing when it came time to execute. That was a new experience for me, but it was fun."
Callahan said all of that with a smile on his face. It's a reminder that Ward's love for the game and infectious attitude is boosting the morale of his coaches and teammates in real time. It also highlights his ability to multi task. This is a fascinating development, and every new bit of information that comes out about Ward seems to emphasize that the Titans made the right decision on draft day.
It took one day at minicamp for Jeffery Simmons to send a loud message
Jeffery Simmons has been a hot-button topic for Tennessee Titans fans this offseason.
You can argue about whether or not he is an elite defensive tackle or whether he consistently acts like a team leader. However, you can't debate his impact when he is on the field, and there are signs pointing toward this being a big season for Simmons.
At Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, Simmons confirmed he's roughly 20 pounds lighter than he was a season ago.
Weeks ago, Simmons made comments about turning quarterback pressures into sacks this season, and Brian Callahan echoed those sentiments, confirming coach and player are on the same page.
With T'Vondre Sweat and Keondre Coburn both weighing 330-plus pounds, the Titans have their big-bodied space eaters, but this team is desperate for pass-rush help. A lighter Simmons who is on he warpath to sack the quarterback more this season would be a nice boost to Dennard Wilson's unit.
It took less than one practice for Simmons to show off the results of his hard work, because he beat high-priced left tackle Dan Moore Jr. for a sack in team period, per reporters in attendance.
What happened after the sack is just as important as the sack itself. After Simmons made the play, he did what he does best, trash-talking the offense and rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Then Ward, who isn't one to back down, snapped right back at the star defensive tackle.
Ward ultimately finished the day 20-of-21, proving he can handle what happens after the whistle in the NFL without letting it negatively impact his performance.
That may not seem like much now, but it is that back-and-forth that builds chemistry, camaraderie, respect, and trust on a football team.
Simmons showed up in better shape, proving that he's committed to the Titans after skipping voluntary OTAs. Then, he took his off-the-field preparation and turned it into production by "sacking" Ward. Finally, he and Ward bantered back and forth to make practice more spirited and engaging, while also giving the rookie QB a chance to prove he's the guy everyone thinks he is.
Simmons made a huge impact in a relatively short practice, and that is why fans should be very optimistic about a big season coming from one of the team's most veteran and decorated players.
