NASHVILLE—The Seahawks and Titans were back at it Thursday for their second of two joint practices. Both teams' players were tested not only by each other but by the heat, and after two days of work, both sides feel like they got a lot done.
"Day two down, another good day of work," Macdonald said. "Again, just looking forward to seeing the tape, but the guys came out ready to practice. It's hotter today, we got through it strong and look forward to watching it and it was a good day."
Added Titans coach Brian Callahan, "Good second day of work. We cut the practice down after a really heavy day yesterday in the heat. Got some good situational work in the red zone. It's always hard down there. Particularly against this scheme. Obviously, I've gone against Mike (Macdonald) before and gone against (Titans defensive coordinator) Dennard (Wilson) sort of every day in OTAs and training camp. They make life difficult down there. It's a good, sound scheme in the passing game. So, that's good."
Here are six observations from Thursday's practice:
1. DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba & Jake Bobo all had a productive couple of days.
Early in Wednesday's practice, Geno Smith looked to connect with DK Metcalf on a deep pass down the sideline, but Metcalf was unable to haul in the pass that glanced off his outstretched hands. From that point on, however, Metcalf was a force over the two days of practice against the Titans. His practice Wednesday featured several intermediate and deep receptions, including a long catch that likely would have been a touchdown early in the first team session of practice. The two connected for another deep touchdown late in practice though that was called back due to a holding call.
And Metcalf wasn't alone in standing out for a Seahawks receiving corps that was without Tyler Lockett, who is working through what Macdonald said is not a serious leg injury—Lockett was in pads and did some work off to the side during and after practice. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a handful for Titans defensive backs both in one-on-one drills and 11-on-11 work, while Jake Bobo just keeps making spectacular catches, including a one-handed touchdown grab as well as a toe-tap sideline catch in one-on-ones.
"They had a tough task over there," Titans coach Brian Callahan said of his corners facing Seattle's receivers. "DK is as good a receiver as there as in football. I think Jaxon Smith-Njigba is probably one of the better slots as a young player. So they had their hands full. It was a good test for them."
2. Spoon's big day.
As the true competitor that fans witnessed last season and continue to get to see, Devon Witherspoon is a player that can back up his words, trash talking and chirping with action. On both Wednesday and Thursday's during joint practices, Witherspoon was beat on a few routes, "I don't like getting beat," he said on those plays. Adding "I just got to be better, you know what I'm saying? So competition is always bring the best out you."
And Witherspoon meant what he said because he finished practice with a pass break up on Titans receiver Calvin Ridley, and an interception in a 2-minute drill on which he read the play to undercut the receiver.
"We were playing a little coverage. They ran the same route on me yesterday and then he under threw the ball yesterday. I could have picked it yesterday but I didn't. So today I just left a little bit early and he threw a bad ball. That's the pick, that's how you end two minute [drills]."
"He does not make the same mistake twice and he's doing a great job," head coach Mike Macdonald said about Witherspoon.
Adding, "We love him. He is a great player and we expect great things out of him and for him to make plays on the ball like he did today that's what our team needs and we're happy for him when they make those because he's working his tail off. He's very detail oriented. So just happy for him to have some production on the ball and helps our team too."
3. Rookie guard Christian Haynes is very much in the mix for a starting job.
For most of training camp, Seattle's staring guards have been veteran Laken Tomlinson on the left and second-year lineman Anthony Bradford on the right, but early on Macdonald said that rookie Christian Haynes will factor in at right guard. And on Wednesday, Haynes saw his most extensive work yet with the No. 1 offense. Haynes looked to hold up pretty well in his extended work with the starters, and also had some very strong reps in one-on-one drills, including one on which he locked up Titans defensive tackle Marlon Davidson and drove him to the ground.
"Like I always said from the beginning, it's a competition," Macdonald said. "I wanted to see what Christian could do with the ones."
4. High intensity situations from both sides.
During the practice on Thursday, there seemed to be more of an energy with players than there was on Day 1. The players looked like they were operating a little more freely and felt comfortable. At some points the practice got a bit chippy, but nothing ever crossed over the line.
"Good balance," safety Julian Love said on being competitive without pushing the red button. "Leaders came together before the first day just saying, hey, let's compete, let's do what we do, talk, all that stuff, but let's hold that fine line. Obviously, it got chippy, that's going to be natural when you're competing, but I think we came here and did what we needed to do."
Part of getting chippy was some highly entertaining trash talking that ensued between Witherspoon, Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams.
"It got a little chippy, but we stayed away from overdoing it," Witherspoon said. "But I think that's just practice in general. When you practice against another team, I think things going to get chippy. It's hot out here, so I mean it's just nothing but a little friendly competition."
"We were very clear about what we wanted to get out of this practice," Titans head coach Brian Callahan said. "Mike [Macdonald] was clear with his team, I was clear with ours. I think we got really good work. It's going to get chippy out there, it's two highly competitive NFL football players, that's just the way it goes. But it was good to see the restraint. It was back and forth, there was some talking but at the end of the day, we got out of this two days worth of really good work without any real issues or escalation and that's good to see."
5. Better 'obnoxious communication' from the defense.
The Seahawks defense seemed like they were operating on a higher level Thursday than they were on Day 1, with Witherspoon's pick on Titans quarterback Will Levis on the first play of the 2-minute drill, to Riq Woolen's pick during seven-on-sevens.
"We watched yesterday's tape and there's a lot of good things on tape, but there's a lot of things that are room for improvement on really both sides of the ball," Macdonald said after practice. "But we had a good meeting yesterday, guys came out focused, so it felt like we addressed most of those things. But again, look, can't really tell [without watching the tape], but we were making plays on the football, which was really nice guys. Seemed like we were on top of things in the red zone, which things move faster, especially against the new offense, new schemes, things you haven't seen. So that was encouraging."
Witherspoon noticed the lack of communication between teammates at practice yesterday also.
"Yesterday it was a little bit down, man," Witherspoon said. "We started off a little slow. I think we played down to our level of competition and then today we just picked it up, be got back to our original selves and just did what we normally do was communicate and then we go out there ball, have fun with it."
Early on in training camp Macdonald said that he wants the team to have "obnoxious communication," communication that can be heard from the sidelines, players talking with one another, and the Seahawks saw more of that out of their defense on Thursday.
6. Injury updates.
The Seahawks again practiced without Tyler Lockett, Dre'Mont Jones and Zach Charbonnet. New to the injury list was tight end Pharaoh Brown, who left practice on a cart with what Macdonald said was a foot injury. The injury occurred when Brown took a hard, but clean, hit from a Titans defensive back after catching a pass in the flat. Macdonald said he did not yet know any details on the injury other than that it was a foot injury for Brown.
The Seahawks wrapped up another joint practice with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. on August 15, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and quarterback Geno Smith (7) at practice against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks strong safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Richardson (43) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Willie Roberts (34) and tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Mario Kendricks (92) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry (85) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tackle Raiqwon O'Neal (79) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks def Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks def Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks running back Kairee Robinson (35) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tackle Jalen Sundell (61) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
