LaBoy returns to practice field for first time in camp

LaBoy, the Titans’ top draft pick in 2004 and the 42nd pick overall, had missed minicamps and the first eight days of training camp recovering from surgery to repair a sports hernia. The Titans officially removed him from the physically unable to perform list before Monday morning’s practice.

“He had a rough offseason getting through the injuries,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s worked hard the last couple weeks, and it’s really good to get him back on the field. He was disruptive and made some plays, and it’s good to see that.”

He looked impressive as he broke through the line and batted down a pass by rookie quarterback Gino Guduigli. Fisher said LaBoy will be limited to one session per day over the next week.

Defensive line coach Jim Washburn was happy to have LaBoy back.

“He’s a good player. That’s why we took him with the 42nd pick. That’s why we pay him. He could help us,” Washburn said.

LaBoy missed three games because of concussion as a rookie. He played the rest of the season with two starts, and he had 34 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

The end from Hawaii is very fast and was timed at 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. But Washburn said LaBoy needs to be more physical to enhance his speed around the corner with his biggest challenge staying healthy.

“I don’t think we’ve been together one week during this whole deal,” Washburn said of his line. “Somebody’s been missing this year and last year. I’ve got eight guys who’ll make this team for sure. We haven’t been together yet as a group.”

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TWO-MINUTE CHALLENGE:@ In college, new Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow didn’t have to worry about running a two-minute offense because the clock always stopped with a first down. That is one of the biggest things he’s having to adapt to in the NFL.

Coach Jeff Fisher said Chow had indicated to him that the Southern California Trojans might have practiced the two-minute drill once over the course of a season.

“When I told him how many two-minute drills this club was involved in the last couple years, it caught him by surprise. It is a very, very big part of the preseason and the season is your ability to not only grasp the two-minute concepts …,” Fisher said.

Just how many two-minute drills can an NFL team have? Fisher said the Titans were involved in 32 in 2000, 33 in 2001, around 33-34 in 2002 and 43 in 2003 and 2004 counting both offense and defense.

“Obviously, you have to maintain that emphasis on it,” Fisher said.

Fisher cited Chow’s abilities as a teacher when he announced his hiring last winter, and the coach hasn’t been disappointed even though his coordinator is teaching a new offense to a team loaded with youth.

“It’s going in very well. There’s not an awful lot of mistakes out there. … For the most part, everyone’s in the new system, even the younger players. The first-year rookies are adapting well to the system, and that’s good to see,” Fisher said.

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RESTING:@ Coach Jeff Fisher is determined to make sure his Titans coming back from injury don’t overdo it in training camp, and Monday’s morning session saw a handful of players resting. That included Steve McNair with backup Billy Volek taking over with the first-team offense, and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (back tightness).

A quartet healing from ACL injuries also took the morning off including receiver Tyrone Calico, linebacker Peter Sirmon, safety Tank Williams and offensive lineman Jacob Bell.

Volek took his turn in the afternoon for a break, while fullback Troy Fleming also watched to rest up. Running back Chris Brown also rested in the afternoon.

Fisher said Haynesworth should be back on Tuesday.

Giving players an occasional practice off is working out well for the Titans. Fisher said their muscle pulls were lower than in any year over the past four or five years. He credited strength coach Steve Watterson and the training staff for work on stretching and flexibility.

“And I think the rest and recovery approach is helping,” Fisher said.

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NO NEWS ON PACMAN:@ Agent Michael Huyghue has said he intends to come to Nashville later this week to talk in person with the Titans about his client, cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones. But general manager Floyd Reese said that was news to him after hearing nothing on Monday.

“We’ll be here,” Reese said.

Jones, the sixth pick overall and the first defensive player taken in this year’s draft, now has missed 16 practices over 11 days of training camp.

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NOT SO FAST:@ General manager Floyd Reese tried to make a quick getaway from Monday afternoon’s practice but was held up by reporters asking about Pacman Jones. But he was interrupted by left tackle Brad Hopkins who escorted Reese back to a huddle on their inside practice field where he was serenaded with “Happy Birthday.”

Reese seemed to get off lightly, but not for long.

“His birthday is not over,” coach Jeff Fisher said.

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS:@ The Titans announced they have teamed with Ace Mortgage to provide approximately 750 tickets to Special Olympics athletes, coaches, parents or chaperones for Friday night’s exhibition opener with Tampa Bay.

Athletes will be coming from Jackson, Chattanooga, Maryville, Knoxville, Coalmont and Ooltewah. Another group will come from Bowling Green, Ky.