Titans training camp draws attention to Saleh and Ward
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Titans coach Robert Saleh. Photo: Camden Hall/Getty Images
For NFL fans, training camp is supposed to be a time for hope, but Titans fans have seen this movie before.
- Since Steve McNair left the franchise in 2005, the team has had 16 starting quarterbacks.
- After 17 years of stability provided by Jeff Fisher, the Titans have employed seven head coaches in the last 16 years.
Why it matters: This year's training camp boils down to the same old questions: can new coach Robert Saleh and second-year quarterback Cam Ward stabilize the franchise.
Driving the news: The Titans hold their first training camp practice Wednesday at 10:15am at the Vanderbilt Health Football Center.
- Tennessee finished in last place and won just three games last season.
What we're watching: It all starts with Ward, who showed durability and glimpses of playmaking ability as a rookie, but struggled overall.
- He threw for just 15 touchdowns and 3,189 passing yards.
Yes, but: Ward's defenders point out he lacked offensive weapons and played behind a poor offensive line.
- To address this, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi invested heavily in the wide receiver position. He signed Wan'Dale Robinson to a four-year, $70 million contract.
- Borgonzi also made Ohio State's Carnell Tate the team's top draft pick, bypassing highly regarded prospects on the defensive side of the ball.
- A key training camp storyline will be how Ward meshes with his new receivers.
By the numbers: Ward played his rookie season under siege of constant pass rush.
- Ward was sacked a league-high 55 times.
The intrigue: That means, the offensive line will once again be a focus this training camp. Two starting positions are spoken for: Dan Moore at left tackle, Peter Skoronski at left guard. Austin Schlottmann has the inside track to start at center.
- Former first-round pick JC Latham is penciled in to start at right tackle, but due to injury he was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.
- That leaves a camp battle between a group of young players to figure out the starting right guard.
The other side: On defense, the focus will be on Saleh, the defensive guru who's installing a brand new scheme.
- Titans fans will have a close eye on pass rusher Keldric Faulk, the team's other first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Saleh has a track record of developing pass rushers.
- Go deeper: Follow live Titans training camp updates at the Tennessean.