NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In simply two practices with the Tennessee Titans, huge receiver Elic Ayomanor is already bracing for change with Cam Ward, his new quarterback. The No. 1 decide, Ayomanor stated, will get the ball out “actually quick” — so quick that he’s decided he simply must be able to catch it. In any other case, because the receiver, he’s within the improper.
“You recognize that he’s going to be on time each time,” defined Ayomanor, a fourth-round rookie from Stanford. “When you’re late, you’re late. As a result of he’s not going to be late.”
Ward showcased the zip and accuracy of his passes at Titans rookie minicamp Saturday. With no 7-on-7 motion or staff intervals — a byproduct of coach Brian Callahan’s orientation-style method for integrating rookies into the staff — Ward spent the day working by means of particular person drills and constructing rapport with the rookie go catchers, together with Ayomanor and fellow fourth-round picks Chimere Dike and Gunnar Helm.
The Titans are beginning at “sq. one” with Ward, in keeping with Callahan. The previous Miami star brings franchise quarterback expectations, however Tennessee isn’t approaching his acclimation course of that method. He is had the playbook since he was drafted. However like all their rookies, the Titans need Ward to begin small, deal with every day enchancment and be taught the complete operation — from the set up and the huddle to the assembly room. The concern is the day’s observe, not September.
Callahan isn’t thrusting management expectations on Ward, both.
“We’re not asking him to do something exterior of what he’d usually do,” Callahan stated, “and I believe that persona will begin to present as he strikes ahead and will get extra comfy and understands extra. Clearly, he has to fret about himself first. He’s obtained to verify he is aware of what to do, learn how to do it.
“The management factor comes naturally,” he added. “These issues present up organically since you’re round gamers extra and also you get extra comfy and also you be taught individuals’s personalities. I don’t put an excessive amount of strain on him to do this. I’m extra involved with him ensuring he is aware of what to do and learn how to do it. From there, that stuff grows.”
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What’s Ward specializing in? Sustaining his base contained in the pocket. Feeling the pocket. Realizing how deep to get in his drops. Limiting pointless shuffling. The Titans’ route ideas are just like what he had at Miami, however there are variations within the footwork he’s studying to understand. He acquired pointers from quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree between reps Saturday.
Ward admitted that he’s typically wanting forward within the playbook, however the Titans are rooting him within the current set up.
“They’re not likely pushing all the pieces on me without delay,” he stated. “However I’ll proceed to look forward, proceed to organize the best way that I understand how to organize.”
Like Ayomanor, Helm and Dike have gotten robust first impressions of Ward.
They praised his management. They raved about his presence.
“He’s precisely what individuals assume he’s,” Dike stated. “He simply does issues the best method. He comes within the constructing early. … He has that confidence. He is aware of the work he places in and what he’s able to.
“On the similar time,” he continued, “he is aware of he has to proceed to work laborious to enhance, and I believe that rubs off on all the pieces else.”
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You may comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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