The Tennessee Titans are set to take the next step in their offseason when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the pair’s preseason Week 2 contest on Saturday.
This is the second straight year in which the Bucs and Titans are practicing together, and if you remember last year there were no shortage of fireworks after multiple fights broke out on Day 2.
Unfortunately, the Bucs will be without some of their biggest names for the two sessions, as quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Mike Evans won’t take part. However, former Titans wideout Julio Jones will be present.
“I think going against some other players is going to be really good for all of us, especially the offensive and defensive linemen,” Vrabel said, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “Defensive backs covering new receivers and receivers trying to get open against new defensive backs. It’s a great scheme that we’re going against on both sides. This should be great work for us.
“I hope [the reps are] as competitive as we can, and I hope that we are able to focus on the things that we’re trying to focus on, improve, play with our techniques, with our style, but also play smart, make sure that we’re staying up and taking care of them. I would imagine that they would do the same for us.”
Here’s a look at what other Titans had to say about the upcoming practices.
CB Elijah Molden
“I went back and watched those Tampa practices, and I was terrible. I was awful,” Molden said. “But I think that is part of being a rookie. I think I came a long way, and the secondary has come a long way as well. We’re going into our second game, and I think there is a lot to clean up. First and foremost, we need to get communication right, we all need to be on the same page. And that is when it starts to get fun.”
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
“Really looking forward to it,” Westbrook-Ikhine said. “It’s always good to go against someone else. You get used to going against the same guys every day in practice. So, it will be good to get some new faces. We had them last year for joint practices, so we know what to expect, too.”
LG Aaron Brewer
“Whenever you are going against someone of their caliber, even their defense as a whole – they have a great defense,” Brewer said. “Competing against them, and then the game, will make you better every time.”
