FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The story of the day actually became its own story of the day.
Intensity flared at the second joint practice between the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans on Wednesday as a new, fiery side of Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed itself. We've fully detailed that story already, and the full account can be found here.
Now, we switch gears to the most notable moments of practice aside from the scuffles that stole headlines. On Tuesday, Terrin Waack documented the day for the offense, while Tori McElhaney did so for the defense. On Wednesday, they switched responsibilities.
TRAINING CAMP REPORTS: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10
Here's everything they observed from an interesting second, and final, day of joint practice.
Open practice count: 11 of 11 for fans | See all dates
Most notable player (offense): Kirk Cousins.
I know what you're thinking: "Tori, you just wrote 750 words on Michael Penix Jr. and yet you're saying Kirk was the most notable offensive player?" Yes. Yes I am.
And it's because of what Cousins did after the heated moment with the first-team offense. Once the team was pulled off the field following the scuffles, Cousins and the second team went out and dominated the Titans' defense. The offensive line set up a long run for Jashaun Corbin before Cousins connected on his next three passes. One was a perfectly placed long ball to David Sills V on a corner route drawing him to the right sideline. The other two were first-down passes to Dylan Drummond. In his own way, Cousins — with the poise of a veteran who's been there — got the period back on track, and that was notable.
Most notable player (defense): Dee Alford. The cornerback had a great all-around practice Wednesday, but he put an exclamation point on it during the final period of full-team work with his first (if I'm not mistaken) interception of training camp. Titans quarterback Cam Ward was under pressure by both Falcons defensive linemen Ruke Orhorhoro (behind) and Brandon Dorlus (in front) and attempted to throw the ball away. Issue is, Ward didn't chuck it hard enough. So, as the ball sailed toward the right sideline, Alford jumped up and picked it. In the process, he was also conscious enough to ensure his feet landed inbounds before going down.
Alford's awareness was also on display earlier in practice during split 11-on-11 work. Ward tried to send a dart of a pass to wide receiver Tyler Lockett up the middle, but Alford reacted quick enough to bat the ball down. It was yet another great play worth highlighting by Alford.
Say what now (offense): "I was somebody else," Michael Penix Jr. on the fight breaking out with Tennessee with him in the middle.
Say what now (defense): "I'm off on the sidelines. One of the guys comes up to me and is like, 'Dude, our quarterback is different. Our quarterback is different.' I was like, 'What happened?' He said, 'He was the one fighting, and everyone jumped the dude.' I was like all right, Mike, I love you, dawg. That's my dude. That's my quarterback. QB1," said Falcons inside linebacker Kaden Elliss on Penix being involved in a mid-practice fight with the Titans defense.
Song of the day: "won't stop" by Gunna. Neither Waack nor McElhaney noted a song, so our editor Will McFadden is coming in here with the assist and would like to note the piano at the top of this track is excellent.
Roll call: The only unexpected absence after Morris' recent injury updates was offensive lineman Tyrone Wheatley Jr. Otherwise, linebacker Caleb Johnson, who Morris said recently missed practice due to a personal reason, returned to work Wednesday.
Offensive observations (McElhaney):
– During the opening 7-on-7 period for the first- and second-team offense, it was a bit overshadowed by a little too much physicality from the Titans secondary. Of the 10 total plays in the red zone throughout the period, a Tennessee defensive back in coverage was flagged for defensive pass interference or holding four times. Still, there were some key moments that stuck out regardless:
- Penix was 3-of-5 in the period, connecting with Drake London for two touchdowns at the goal line and Kyle Pitts once. The toss to Pitts was the most impressive as Penix put the ball way out in front of Pitts — a place only Pitts could grab it — as he was streaking towards the left side of the end zone.
- Cousins was also 3-of-5 during the period, though I'd imagine many will only remember the interception thrown in the period despite it not being Cousins' fault. In the dead center of the end zone, Charlie Woerner bobbled the pass that hit him in the hands. It ricocheted high enough that Titans cornerback Amani Oruwariye was able to get his hands under it. Beyond that, like Penix, all three of Cousins' connections during the period were touchdowns.
– The Falcons and Titans got a lot of red zone work Wednesday morning compared to more situational third-down work Tuesday. Here's how the period went for the first-team offense.
- Ball on the 15-yard line going in: A handoff to Bijan Robinson got the series started. As we've noted before, truly judging the run game in moments where there isn't live tackling to the ground is difficult. Still, I'd say Robinson picked up about 6 yards on that carry as he cut back to the A-gap. After a short check down to Ray-Ray McCloud on the next play, Penix went over the middle for a would-be first down to London. London dropped the ball and the Falcons did not convert.
- Ball on the 10-yard line going in: Another handoff to Robinson started things off. He tried to cut back like he did previously, but the hole wasn't manifesting so he bounced it to the outside and picked up a couple yards. Two plays later, Penix tried to hit Pitts in a similar way that he did in the 7-on-7 period but the throw was a bit too out in front of Pitts for him to get to it. The series ended as Penix tried to go to London in a one-on-one in the back corner of the end zone. Penix didn't get the ball high enough for a leaping London, hitting the Titans defensive back in coverage on the helmet and bouncing away incomplete.
- Ball inside the 5-yard line: A direct handoff to Tyler Allgeier put a hypothetical six points on the board as Allgeier followed Matthew Bergeron into the end zone.
– A couple standout names to take note of as the Falcons' next preseason game looms is Sills and Chris Blair. Over the last two days of joint practices, Sills has actually gotten a longer run with the first-team offense. There have been a couple occasions in which Sills either 1) took reps in London's spot, or 2) took reps alongside London, with the two acting as the Falcons "big receiver" look. With Darnell Mooney's status remaining ambiguous, can Sills establish himself as WR6 or WR7 on this roster? Can the Falcons even carry that many on the 53-man roster? Those are questions I'd like to know seeing as someone like Blair would also benefit from knowing that answer. Blair was a trusted target for Cousins with the second team Wednesday. In one of the final move-the-ball, 11-on-11 periods, Cousins connected with Blair on three plays of big gains (consisting of completions of roughly 8 yards, 10 yards and 25 yards).
– Overall, the day was better for the Titans' defensive front. They seemed to come with more energy, particularly after the scuffles that began team periods. Jeffery Simmons, Arden Key and James Williams Sr. all caused problems at one point or another, putting pressure on Penix in the pocket. From my note taking, I believe they all three had a sack (or at least what I would assume was a sack in a normal, game-like situation).
– The final period of practice was simulating an end-of-game situation. With 48 seconds on the clock, both first- and second-team offenses had a chance to put points on the board. Here's how the Falcons' offensive units did:
- First team: Penix came out of the gate guns blazing, pushing the ball down the field. He connected with Drake London for a 20-yard gain before finding Pitts on an out route that stopped the clock. Another 10-yard completion to London coupled with the Falcons offense quick snapping and clocking the ball gave the team one – maybe two – more plays before time ran out. An incompletion by Penix intended for London down the right sideline ended the momentum.
- Second team: The Titans defense was making things uncomfortable for Cousins from the first play. He was able to get a quick ball off to Woerner for an 8-yard gain before trying to hit Blair deep. It was a near perfect throw by Cousins to put the ball right on top of Blair, but a good play by Titans defensive back Marcus Harris caused the pass to be broken up and fall incomplete. A coverage sack by the Titans on the very next play ended the series for the second-team offense.
Defensive observations (Waack):
– There wasn't anything all that notable from the 7-on-7 period. Falcons safety Ronnie Harrison, who signed last Sunday, was super close to getting his first interception in Atlanta when a pass from Titans quarterback Brandon Allen hit Harrison's hands rather than those of a Tennessee teammate in the end zone. The ball fell incomplete, though.
– During the first 11-on-11 period, Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught a deep touchdown pass down the left sideline from quarterback Cam Ward. Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell Jr. was beat in coverage. Upon crossing the goal line, Ridley spiked the ball and was yelling toward the crowd. Much later in practice, Terrell low-key got his revenge, breaking up another ball intended for Ridley during full-team work.
– Ward later threw a touchdown pass to Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo. It looked almost too easy, as Okonkwo was clear by the time he reached the end zone and the ball came his way. Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes and safety Xavier Watts were the closest defenders, but without knowing the coverage call, it's unknown whether it was really their fault. Inside linebacker Kaden Elliss was seen chatting with Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich immediately after the play concluded. What was good to see, however: Two plays later, the Falcons' defense had great coverage on a likely pass play that forced Ward to throw the ball away. Almost like a quick lesson-learned moment.
– Titans running back Tony Pollard had a really good, long run into the end zone prior to Ridley's touchdown. Judging any type of run is difficult during training camp because players aren't actually ever tackled to the ground, but still going to give credit where credit is due, and that is to Pollard in the moment. He got by Falcons safety Jordan Fuller.
– Watts spent what seemed like the majority of 11-on-11 work opposite fellow safety Jessie Bates III with the first-team defense. Fuller mainly rotated with Watts, while DeMarcco Hellams stuck primarily with the second-team unit. The battle for the second starting safety spot may be one of the most highly contested this preseason, as the trio of Watts, Fuller and Hellams have shared reps at the position.
– Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. received reps with the first-team defense, rotating with nickel Dee Alford. Ford flashed in special teams, too, showing off his speed and ability to reach a punt returner upon catching the ball. Really, noting Ford here more so as someone to keep an eye on in the remaining preseason games as he makes a push both on defense and special teams to make the 53-man roster.
– Overall, I personally did not watch the Falcons' defense during Tuesday's joint practice. But from what I read of McElhaney's coverage, the defense didn't have nearly as flashy of a day Wednesday. Whether that's because the Titans cleaned things up or the Falcons weren't as productive is tough to say. Either way, even without watching both sides of the ball both days, I can confidently say the vibes from Day 1 to 2 were very different.
Special teams observations (Waack):
– The Falcons' offense wasn't the only unit to cause a scuffle. Special teams did, too. After Titans wide receiver James Proche II fielded a punt, Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington was on him for the stop. Washington, who may have still been hot from his offensive skirmishes, appeared to have played through the moment because soon enough, he and Proche were jarring, each grabbing the other's face mask. It was enough to draw teammates over. Washington eventually walked off without his helmet on.
– There was another close call with Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley earlier, when the punt responsibilities were flipped. A fight didn't ensue, but Ridley was clearly chirping on the Titans' sideline to a point where Falcons head coach Raheem Morris spoke to him. Between that and the offensive outburst, it's safe to assume Ridley came into the second joint practice with a chip on his shoulder from the first.
– Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams got banged up on punt coverage. He walked off slowly holding his left shoulder or collar bone. Hellams was later seen active with the defense, though, so he's presumably OK.
What's next: The Falcons host the Titans for their second preseason game on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Countdown to kickoff: There are 25 days until the Falcons' Week 1 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 7 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | See full schedule
