I’m a sucker for a good joint practice deep into training camp. I don’t know what it is exactly…it seems to always remind me that real football is just around the corner. It’s a taste of actual competition. I know there are several advantages of it on the field, too. You’re breaking up the monotony of training camp. You’re getting a gauge on where your team is at compared to another team as opposed to just compared to itself. I get all that. But, it’s usually one of the initial indicators you get about where a team is at, and it means the season isn’t too far away.
That’s why I was stoked to see Jim Wyatt report that the Seattle Seahawks would be coming to Nashville in August for joint practices on 8/14 and 8/15 ahead of their preseason game against the Titans on 8/17. Word on fan attendance is yet to come, but if you get the chance to actually get out there and watch some of this, I’d suggest taking it. So, the Titans have a dance partner this summer, and I like the Seahawks being that dance partner for a couple of reasons.
For one, Mike MacDonald taking over the Seahawks is awesome for Seahawks fans. That dude is a football savant, and he honestly probably would’ve been my top choice for the job if Brian Callahan had said no to it. While we don’t know how much of his hand he’ll tip in joint practices, it’ll be cool to see the Titans offense going up against a defense I’d think will be similar to the one Dennard Wilson will be running here, but with different personnel. I’d imagine you get used to going up against the same guys every day in camp, but when the players change on you, that might require a little change-up of your own, and that’s where the litmus test transpires.
Then, there’s all the individual match-ups between these two teams. They seem to stack up pretty well in where their strengths and weaknesses are. Just to name a few off the top of my head:
- The Titans receivers vs. Seahawks secondary – Devon Witherspoon is a force of nature, and again, you want to tamper expectations because they’re not going to be smacking the shit out of each other on the practice field, but it’ll still be a good gauge of where the receivers are and I anticipate that physical presence will ramp up the intensity out of DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and the Titans receiving corps.
- The Titans secondary vs. Seahawks receivers – Likewise, this will be a good test for the Titans revamped secondary – DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, and of course, the incomparable Jake Bobo, make for a formidable group that will push the Titans defensive backs.
- Titans linebackers vs. Seahawks running backs – The Seahawks have a stable of running backs that is four deep with intriguing guys. Kenneth Walker III has established himself as a weapon in the NFL. Zach Charbonnet showed some promise during his rookie season. Then, there are guys like Kenny McIntosh and George Holani that have some potential in their own right. I’m interested to see how the numbers shake down among the Titans linebackers, and while linebacker vs. running back drills are among the hardest to truly evaluate, it’ll be good to see who rises from the pack against this good group of backs from Seattle.
- Titans defensive line vs. Seahawks offensive line – The Seahawks, when healthy, have a sneaky good offensive line. Bookended by Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, with the reliable vet Laken Tomlinson at left guard, they have a strong foundation to build upon. I’m not sure what’s going to happen at center. ESPN lists Nick Harris as the starter on their depth chart, but I was a big fan of Olu Oluwatimi coming out of Michigan last year. They needed an upgrade at right guard, and they may have gotten the best right guard in the class in UConn’s Christian Haynes. I won’t be surprised if this develops into one of the best young offensive lines in the league this season. It’ll be a quality workout for Jeffery Simmons and Sebastian Joseph-Day, but it’ll be a good test for T’Vondre Sweat and the depth players along that Titans defensive line.
It’s gonna be a good one, and remember, while we’re entering the DEAD dead part of the football calendar, about a month away from the game before training camp starts, the season will be here before you know it.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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