Weather sends Titans indoors for first time
The temperature felt like 96 degrees before thunder and nearby lightning had coach Jeff Fisher sound the horn sending everyone but fans inside. The cooler temperature was a nice change for the Titans, and Fisher said they got everything scheduled completed.
“Actually, we picked up about a five minute walk-through while we were waiting on the cameras. That’s what we have, about a five- to seven-minute transition when we had to come in. We could’ve gone right ahead, but we wanted to wait to get the cameras set up. It was good,” Fisher said.
They also concluded with a two-minute drill, and Steve McNair looked very sharp. With Terry Bradshaw of Fox Sports watching practice, McNair completed a pass past linebacker Keith Bulluck to rookie tight end Bo Scaife.
McNair also found Drew Bennett across the middle for another completion. Bulluck nearly had a chance for an interception to end the drive, but the pass deflected off him and safety Donnie Nickey couldn’t pull in the ball. McNair finished with a touchdown toss to rookie tight end Gregg Guenther.
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WELCOME VAN VADER: Linebacker Keith Bulluck has a nickname for new defensive lineman Kyle Vanden Bosch — Van Vader.
Bulluck said the four-year veteran, acquired as a free agent from Arizona this offseason, has another level of intensity that he hadn’t really seen around Tennessee in a long time.
“Kyle brings a lot to the table,” Bulluck said. “At first, it’s like, `Who’s this guy whose had all these surgeries, this and that and the other and bringing him in here?’ Once you get out there and see him go, he goes and doesn’t stop going.”
Vanden Bosch was the 34th pick overall in 2001 out of Nebraska by Arizona, but his rookie season was ended by surgery on his right anterior cruciate ligament. He started all 16 games in 2002, then tore his left ACL and missed the entire 2003 season.
He played in each game last season, and the Titans were happy to pick him up in April.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Vanden Bosch said. “I really haven’t been 100 percent healthy since I’ve been in the league. I just feel good now. I’m excited to see what I can do when I’m not limited or not held back by injuries.”
Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said he thinks Vanden Bosch’s heart actually is just a motor.
“He fuels up for every practice. He never gets tired. He’s always running, always downfield trying to strip the ball. He’s going to be great for us. I can’t imagine not having him here for us. He makes so many plays just by hustling,” Haynesworth said.
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WHITHER PACMAN: Linebacker Keith Bulluck isn’t worrying about Adam “Pacman” Jones until the Titans’ top draft pick finds his way to training camp. But the veteran does have a message for the cornerback who is expected to compete for a starting cornerback job.
“I just hope he’s taking care of business, keeping himself in shape and be ready to play football when he gets here. We aren’t cutting him no breaks,” Bulluck said.
Jones missed his seventh day of training camp Thursday for a total of 11 practices. Both sides exchanged proposals Thursday, the first real negotiations for a contract.
“I agree with anybody trying to get their money, so I hope his contract negotiations go well, but just keep your game tight,” Bulluck said.
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION: The Titans worked again with an officiating crew throwing flags and explaining to players why they called penalties on them. Coach Jeff Fisher said they asked the officials to also explain to the player how to avoid incurring the penalty in the future.
“We had a very productive meeting last night, going through the rule changes, so it’s worked out good. We even had an incident yesterday afternoon where defensive pass interference was called on Tony Beckham, and after they looked at the tape, they felt it was not. It’s been a good exchange of information,” Fisher said.