Post by Free Agent Fan on Jan 16, 2007 14:52:58 GMT -5
Training Camp -- Week 2
-Monday, January 15 2007
With less than a month to the season opener in North Carolina, the Titans' are becoming a cohessive unit! The players all interact as if they are childhood friends. Being away from your family can make you miss them, too. Coach Jackson was out of town for the weekend, not to return until Tuesday. Coach Jackson was in Canton, OH for a ceremony to recieve his Championship Ring. Coach Jackson was the defensive coordinator for the Canton Legends, last years league champs. To the players' surprise, Coach showed up one day earlier than anticipated. When the players asked why he came back early (after checking out his new ring, of course) he replied, "I'm a Titan, it just didn't feel right being up there when I can be down here!"
After the short reunion it was back to business. Today was a change of venue, though. The players were practicing outside at Gene Cox Stadium on S. Monroe. Though the feild was a little slick, the players began doing laps and conditioning drills with no slip-ups. Tonight, DBs' Coach Lewis put in several extra conditioning drills. As the team slowly gets the little things down, conditioning becomes a big part of the team's training. Coach Jackson added at practice, "It's good when you get the little things right, it's great when you get them right all four quarters!"
As the teams broke down into position drills with their respective coaches, I took to the stands. Getting a birds-eye view, and some great photos too (check the photo gallery!) I could see the team from a whole new perspective. The DBs didn't just back-peddle and move with the ball, they are covering each other and helping get interceptions off tips. Our "big horses" on both sides of the line where moving laterally with almost a sense of powerful grace. The quarterbacks and recievers are really exploring every inch of a smaller field to make great cuts and illude the secondary to break big plays. The team has come a long way since the first practice less than a week ago!
During the full team practice, the whole team stepped up the intensity. The defense rarely broke-down and held almost perfect coverage, though the recievers still found a way to make a few plays. This can only happen when a quarterback has a little extra time to make a great throw, thanks to an outstanding offensive line. The Titan's defensive line really made them work, though, with blinding speed. Marlon even showed his ball-room skills, dancing through the defense. The offense didn't always get it's way, though. The defense caused several knock-aways from recievers, and even a tremendous interception as Fisher leaped into the air, taking away what would have been a sure touchdown.
As the practices before tonight, the team ended with some more conditioning. Running wind-sprints and some cool downs, the players made almost a competition of getting some extra conditioning. The wide recievers ran with the secondary, with Cha Cha Berry usually leading the way. Quarterbacks and Full-backs ran hard against each other, as well. The suprising upset was from the linemen and linebackers. Greg Mills and Hagen Mason were looking fit as fiddles (what ever that means) as they led the way in their group.
Tonights practice was ended with a speech by Titan President and owner David Morris. Both David and the coaching staff told the players how much of a joy it was to take the field tonight, with everyone giving maximum effort. The night officially ended with the team coming together for a prayer, and Mr. Morris leading the team in a cheer ... kind of.
-Monday, January 15 2007
With less than a month to the season opener in North Carolina, the Titans' are becoming a cohessive unit! The players all interact as if they are childhood friends. Being away from your family can make you miss them, too. Coach Jackson was out of town for the weekend, not to return until Tuesday. Coach Jackson was in Canton, OH for a ceremony to recieve his Championship Ring. Coach Jackson was the defensive coordinator for the Canton Legends, last years league champs. To the players' surprise, Coach showed up one day earlier than anticipated. When the players asked why he came back early (after checking out his new ring, of course) he replied, "I'm a Titan, it just didn't feel right being up there when I can be down here!"
After the short reunion it was back to business. Today was a change of venue, though. The players were practicing outside at Gene Cox Stadium on S. Monroe. Though the feild was a little slick, the players began doing laps and conditioning drills with no slip-ups. Tonight, DBs' Coach Lewis put in several extra conditioning drills. As the team slowly gets the little things down, conditioning becomes a big part of the team's training. Coach Jackson added at practice, "It's good when you get the little things right, it's great when you get them right all four quarters!"
As the teams broke down into position drills with their respective coaches, I took to the stands. Getting a birds-eye view, and some great photos too (check the photo gallery!) I could see the team from a whole new perspective. The DBs didn't just back-peddle and move with the ball, they are covering each other and helping get interceptions off tips. Our "big horses" on both sides of the line where moving laterally with almost a sense of powerful grace. The quarterbacks and recievers are really exploring every inch of a smaller field to make great cuts and illude the secondary to break big plays. The team has come a long way since the first practice less than a week ago!
During the full team practice, the whole team stepped up the intensity. The defense rarely broke-down and held almost perfect coverage, though the recievers still found a way to make a few plays. This can only happen when a quarterback has a little extra time to make a great throw, thanks to an outstanding offensive line. The Titan's defensive line really made them work, though, with blinding speed. Marlon even showed his ball-room skills, dancing through the defense. The offense didn't always get it's way, though. The defense caused several knock-aways from recievers, and even a tremendous interception as Fisher leaped into the air, taking away what would have been a sure touchdown.
As the practices before tonight, the team ended with some more conditioning. Running wind-sprints and some cool downs, the players made almost a competition of getting some extra conditioning. The wide recievers ran with the secondary, with Cha Cha Berry usually leading the way. Quarterbacks and Full-backs ran hard against each other, as well. The suprising upset was from the linemen and linebackers. Greg Mills and Hagen Mason were looking fit as fiddles (what ever that means) as they led the way in their group.
Tonights practice was ended with a speech by Titan President and owner David Morris. Both David and the coaching staff told the players how much of a joy it was to take the field tonight, with everyone giving maximum effort. The night officially ended with the team coming together for a prayer, and Mr. Morris leading the team in a cheer ... kind of.
