Titans Bring the Fight, but 49ers Win That and More in Joint Practice

The Titans wanted a fast, violent day in Santa Clara. The 49ers were more physical and considerably better in execution.

By PAUL KUHARSKY

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Titans were physical in a joint practice against the 49ers at their facility Tuesday, and two of their better players, Cedric Gray and Carnell Tate, spoke of that as if it proved something.

But fast and violent didn’t translate into precision or execution often enough, and those are the things needed to win such a session or a game.

The Niners were physical too, and better by a good margin against the Titans' offense, which I watched, and against the Titans' defense, which I heard assessed by multiple colleagues I trust.

“I saw one big pile over there,” Cedric Gray said. “It’s a part of a joint practice; you’ve got to love it. I think we all just wanted to come out here and be a little feisty. Let some off on the other opponent. Even the Forty Niners probably do too. I think it was just good to get out here, kind of have that and just create those dog moments and those team camaraderie moments.”

I don’t know if it’s any sort of large reality check or measuring stick for the team before Thursday’s preseason opener at Levi’s Stadium.

It was the hosts who set the early tone on Titans offense-vs.-49ers defense work when early scuffles broke out, with extra-physical play. There was a shoving match involving just about all 22 after the first play, a Tony Pollard carry, and a catch on the left sideline by Carnell Tate that ended with a good pop by Renardo Green that the Titans didn’t like and reacted to en masse.

“We’re always going to rally to that guy and that's the brotherhood that we have in our locker room, and that's what we're creating each and every day with each other,” Ward said. “We all know we want one common goal; we're all bigger than ourselves. We just try to put the team first and win games.”

Brian Daboll told him to ease up and stay uninvolved himself.

“He knows who I am; he knows how to get me, you know, in the right headspace even though I never leave it,” Ward said. “But he knows it's fine. Because in the day, if he were out here, he'd be doing the same stuff. He's one of us….

“Was he trying to settle things down a little bit? Oh, he was for sure. Just because I mean when you do stuff over there earlier, you lose, you know, time, reps, and stuff. …That was his biggest message. He was right, you know. We got under control and have a good practice team.”

As things started to calm down a bit, “Squabble Up” by Kendrick Lamar played on the loudspeakers.

But things still flared periodically. Dan Moore had a second incident with Osa Odighizuwa and was thrown out of the practice, as was Austin Decalus.

The 49ers' four-time First Team All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was on the field against an opponent for the first time since dislocating his ankle against Tampa Bay last year and brought a fire the Titans had to match but often couldn’t. The 49ers flew around and he was the catalyst.

49ers Bring the Pressure on Cam Ward

The edge rush was a huge issue for San Francisco last year and it was without Nick Bosa, Keion White (adductor) and Mykel Williams (PUP, returning from an ACL). The starting ends are third-round rookie Romello Height and Sam Okuayinonu, a one-time Titan with 6.5 sacks in 37 games.

The group, sometimes with help, generated plenty of pressure on Ward, who was under steady fire in the latter sections of practice.

Ward said it was good work against pressure, real-game situations and some scramble drill.

His best two deep shots ended with a diving drop by Elic Ayomanor up the right side and another play where Green simply had Ayomanor blanketed and there was no chance at a completion.

The best passing plays were midrange to the sides, where Calvin Ridley and Carnell Tate found some space. In a red zone period Ridley and Xavier Restrepo looked to pull in scoring catches, but flags on their plays made things unclear. Restrepo had another.

And in line with what Robert Saleh said recently about Ward’s smart willingness to settle for short stuff if that’s what’s given, that’s what he often got.

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“They're going to drop all the way back, and we're going to check the ball down, and they got to come tackle Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard in open space, and that's not easy tackles,” Ward said. “So I don't have to throw the ball 20 yards, I can throw it five yards and let Tyjae and Tony do the rest.”

A Few Notes From Titans-49ers

Nazeeh Jonson picked off Mac Jones and Mario Goodrich intercepted a Kurtis Rourke pass for Deebo Samuel. The Titans defense was at its best against Rourke.

Ward had a great moment when the 49ers jumped offside, and he got them to do it again with a hard count on the very next play. He missed on one of those Ayomanor deep shots on the third play, however.

Brock Purdy had a great day, throwing only four incomplete passes and facing little pass pressure. The Titans defense was good against the 49ers' depleted group of running backs.

Joey Slye missed two of four field goals at the Titans’ scrimmage Friday evening. Here he hit from 33, 35, 38, 39, 41 and 44. He wanted at least one more from deeper, but his plea to an official was for naught as the period was over.

Will Levis had the lone giveaway. Under pressure from Josiah Deguara, he had to have not seen Jakob Robinson who easily moved between the ball and Mason Kinsey.

Fernando Carmona saw some time with the first team at right guard, while Jackson Slater worked at the top and bottom of the depth chart at center.

Injuries: Jacob Martin (knee) and Cor’Dale Flott (precautionary) left practice. Kalel Mullings (hip), John Franklin-Myers (back) and Jackie Marshall (oblique) were out.