NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Five practices into training camp with two in pads felts like a good time to check in and have a chat about what's unfolding on the Titans' three practice fields at MetroCenter.

So we had a chat Tuesday evening and covered a wide range of topics, from Will Levis' progress, to what's going on at inside linebacker next to Azeez Al-Shaair, to who's standing out among the receivers after the obvious guys and what lesser names might be worth paying more attention to..

The team only has a closed walk-through Wednesday before resuming padded practices Thursday.

I always look forward to our conversations and this one was as good as ever.

If you missed it, I encourage you to head to the private Facebook page or below to the secret YouTube channel.

And if you want a text notification each time I hold a member chat, the link for that is also below.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The tight quarters of the red zone on Monday favored his quick release. 

Will Levis did well making quick reads and found success on a day where the Titans focused on plays inside the 20-yard line. 

The second-round quarterback followed that up with another strong performance Tuesday, as the Titans were unscripted, playing from a mini-playbook they were given the evening before and reacting to situations and play calls in the moment – a different sort of practice experience for a rookie.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The premise began with a recent mailbag question and sent me on an early training camp quest.

How many 5 year olds do you think it would take to tackle Derrick Henry?

— Matt (@WizardOfLoz) July 19, 2023

There are many variables at play here, of course. 

Is Henry at full speed? Is he angry or is he worried about hurting 5-year-olds? How eager are the 5-year-olds?

But as I asked around, I left these constraints to the people answering the question.

How many Mike Vrabel?

“A shit ton,” he said.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Welcome to the first mailbag of training camp on the first off day of training camp.

We've seen three practices but no pads yet -- some very solid work by Ryan Tannehill, the debut of DeAndre Hopkins, Derrick Henry in a Guardian cap, Arden Key making blockers look bad, the kickers hitting all but two field goals between them and much more.

Things will ramp up Monday, but first, let's hit some of your questions.

DeWayne Gee I keep telling myself that there is no way the offensive line could be as bad as last year. I’m starting to not believe myself. What are your thoughts?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Friday the Titans' pass rush was a major force. Saturday it was a bit less so.

That’s how training camp back-and-forth often works.

But it’s no shock that Tennessee’s defensive front, a team strength, had an overall upper hand over the offensive line, which may very well remain a team weakness but is at the very least in the early stages of figuring itself out.

How much do “sacks” – getting near the red-shorted quarterback and peeling off -- in the first three non-padded practices of camp really mean?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans' offense and defense both did a lot of winning in Friday’s practice. Often on the same play.

In seven-on-seven and in team periods, the coverage and/or the rush often would have ended a real snap, causing him to hold the ball too long or getting to the quarterback or to allow for what ultimately unfolded to happen in a game.

But because such plays are not whistled dead in such situations so that the team can continue to get work, the offense frequently continued on to make quality scramble plays.

In fact, it may have been a record practice in that department.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- One of the top Titans pushed money from this year to next year to pave the way for DeAndre Hopkins. Now Kevin Byard is enjoying the energy a big-time receiver brings to the team at the start of camp.

But he's seen a similar scenario before and knows the Titans need to put in the work and get things done beyond paper in order for it to be meaningful.

That's where I begin the new episode of the podcast, which awaits you on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart as well as YouTube, which is below.

Other subjects I dive into:

💥 The Titans building analytic systems and the wait for examples of what they can do
💥 The Titans' terrible lack of depth and the one position where they might be able to survive injury
💥 I missed the end of Barbie and need someone to fill me in
💥 The training camp schedule and veterans' options to skip hotel life

All Brought to you by Jasper's

The podcast is the front door to PaulKuharsky.com.

If you like what you hear or see here, you'd really love the rest of the site. Come join the fun, which is on sale right now!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the Titans lined up for their first practice of camp, the right tackle wore 73 but it might as well have been a question mark.

Mike Vrabel said a day earlier that Jarmarco Jones had already begun at the head of the line of candidates to replace Nicholas Petite-Frere at the spot. NPF will miss the first six games while serving an NFL suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

Vrabel also mentioned every other available tackle on the roster:  Andrew Rupcich, Jaylen Duncan, John Ojukwu (who is being called O.J.) and John Leglue.