City Paper Camp Confidential

CITY PAPER CAMP CONFIDENTIAL

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

OFFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY: Titans receiver Justin Gage made a nice grab of a pass tipped by the Rams David Macklin from quarterback Vince Young. Gage gathered the ball, and then managed to get both feet down toward the side of the end zone for the touchdown.

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE DAY: The Titans just missed two interceptions on defense, one that Cortland Finnegan dropped, and another where defensive end William Hayes dropped into coverage and had the ball hit right in his hands.

That left Albert Haynesworth’s slicing tackle in the backfield of Rams running back Travis Minor as the Titans top defensive play of the afternoon practice. It was vintage Haynesworth, or at least reminiscent of his play last season.

TOPIC OF CONVERSATION: With all sorts of battles during the morning practice, the afternoon work was relatively tame by comparison.

The only incidents even resembling a fight was a brief shoving altercation between Titans safety Calvin Lowry and Rams receiver Derek Stanley at the end of a play.

Other than that, the highlight was a reception by Rams tight end Joe Klopfenstein, who was in the open down the middle and was hammered to the ground by Titans safety Donnie Nickey. After Nickey knocked him the ground, Klopfenstein came up and gave Nickey a shot with his back turned.

WORTH NOTING: Vince Young had back-to-back strong practices on Wednesday, leaving Titans coach Jeff Fisher pleased with his performance against an unfamiliar defense.

“He was decisive and made plays,” Fisher said. “When you’re a young quarterback and in a relatively new system, when you step on the field and you’re up against a completely different defense, and you’re completing passes, it means you’re improving.”

INJURIES: Tight end Dwayne Blakley left the afternoon practice early with a groin injury and was being evaluated.

Running back LenDale White missed both practices on Wednesday because of soreness in his back. White will be re-evaluated to see if he can practice Thursday.

Receiver Biren Ealy also missed the afternoon work because of what Fisher termed as “tightness.”

Jevon Kearse missed the morning practice, but worked in the afternoon. Kearse will be on a one-a-day practice program for the remainder of camp.

Cary Williams (quad) missed both practices, and Tony Brown was rested during the afternoon work.

Rob Bironas and Josh Miller were again out with groin injuries.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Rookie receiver Lavelle Hawkins had a drop early in practice, but later made a couple of dazzling catches. But just so Hawkins can be reminded that one good play does not mean the heat is off, he incurred the wrath of offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. After a diving catch on the sideline, Hawkins got up, and Heimerdinger screamed at him to run and complete the rep, saying, “Finish, finish.”