How the Titans are integrating Cam Ward as their franchise quarterback

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In simply two practices with the Tennessee Titans, large receiver Elic Ayomanor is already bracing for change with Cam Ward, his new quarterback. The No. 1 decide, Ayomanor mentioned, 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 fallacious.

“You recognize that he’s going to be on time each time,” defined Ayomanor, a fourth-round rookie from Stanford. “If you happen to’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 durations — a byproduct of coach Brian Callahan’s orientation-style strategy for integrating rookies into the staff — Ward spent the day working via 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 means. He is had the playbook since he was drafted. However like all their rookies, the Titans need Ward to start out small, give attention to each day enchancment and study the total operation — from the set up and the huddle to the assembly room. The concern is the day’s follow, 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 mentioned, “and I feel that persona will begin to present as he strikes ahead and will get extra snug and understands extra. Clearly, he has to fret about himself first. He’s acquired to verify he is aware of what to do, tips on 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 snug and also you study individuals’s personalities. I don’t put an excessive amount of stress on him to do this. I’m extra involved with him ensuring he is aware of what to do and tips on 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. Figuring out 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 generally wanting forward within the playbook, however the Titans are rooting him within the current set up.

“They’re probably not pushing all the things on me directly,” he mentioned. “However I’ll proceed to look forward, proceed to arrange the best way that I understand how to arrange.”

Like Ayomanor, Helm and Dike have gotten sturdy first impressions of Ward.

They praised his management. They raved about his presence.

“He’s precisely what individuals suppose he’s,” Dike mentioned. “He simply does issues the suitable means. 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 arduous to enhance, and I feel that rubs off on all the things 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 12 months and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You’ll be able to observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

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