Info and tips on Titans training camp

Training camp opens this coming Friday for the Titans and I can’t wait! I know many of you feel the same way and are looking forward to it. Following is some of the basic info about training camp along with a few tips I can pass on to you.
Directions: Take I-65 to exit 85, Rosa Parks Blvd (formerly Metrocenter Blvd). Go north one mile, then turn right on Athens Way. There should be signs up at that corner to tell you it’s the correct place to turn. Parking is just up the street at the corner of Athens Way and Great Circle Rd. Tip: if you’re already in downtown Nashville, simply take 8th Ave. N. The name will soon change to Rosa Parks Blvd. A shuttle bus, which runs every five to ten minutes, will pick you up at the parking lot and take you the rest of the way. Parking, the shuttle and admission are all free.
The training camp schedule, or at least a tentative one, has been completed but I haven’t seen it yet. As soon as it’s released, I’ll post it or a link to it.
Please remember that the schedule is subject to change. The Titans are pretty good about getting the word out when they do change the schedule, both on their website and their telephone hotline, which was 615-565-4190 last year. I strongly suggest you check one or both of those resources just prior to going to camp. Of course, sudden pop-up thunderstorms are normal at this time of year, especially in the afternoons, so practices may be moved into the bubble (off-limits to fans) without advance notice.
Strongly recommended: sunscreen/sunblock lotion, a hat for sun protection, and plenty of water or Gatorade to keep well-hydrated. There isn’t much shade and it will be hot and humid.
There are usually people handing out copies of the roster but just to be safe, I’d recommend printing a copy of the roster to bring with you. The Titans will occasionally update the roster throughout camp, so I always grab a handout to see if it’s current.
Cameras for still pictures are allowed but video cameras are not. Smoking and alcohol are also not allowed.
Autographs are available after practices. On days with two practices, veterans will only sign following the afternoon practice. Occasionally, a player not scheduled for autographs that day may sign them anyway. Tip: if you want the autograph of a particular player, try to get his attention when he’s not busy. Wearing his jersey will be a big help. Sometimes wearing a T-shirt with his college name and logo works. The players scheduled to give autographs will have pens but you will need to furnish the paper or the item you want autographed.
I like to bring a pen and small notebook for taking occasional notes.
A light folding chair comes in handy many days. So do binoculars, for those times when you want a closeup view of a drill taking place on the other side of the field.
You never know what will be on the menu for any given practice or how the players will dress. It’s really a waste of time to watch the lineplay when the players aren’t in pads, so I watch the receivers and defensive backs on those days. When the pads are on, that’s the time to watch the linemen, linebackers and running backs.
I also like to watch new players and players coming off injuries. And when I say new players, I don’t mean rookies, except for first-round draft picks. Rookies won’t make much of a difference on most teams. I’ll be looking at Jevon Kearse, Jake Scott, Justin McCareins, Alge Crumpler, Dwayne Blakley and Chris Carr, the new veterans on the team. I’ll also be looking at Roydell Williams, Chris Hope and Ryan Fowler, who were all out with injuries at the end of last year. Mookie Johnson and Jacob Ford are also coming off injuries, but they’re basically still rookies.
The offense will wear white jerseys, except for the quarterbacks (red), and the defense will wear blue. When the Titans practice punts and kickoffs, both the coverage and return units will be mixed groups of offensive and defensive players. To differentiate between them, the players on the coverage unit will wear their helmet liners. (I thought I’d mention that, just in case you wonder what’s going on, as I’ve heard some fans do.)
I prefer going on weekdays. Everything’s a lot easier on weekdays than weekends. With larger crowds on weekends come more difficulties with parking, riding the shuttle bus, finding a good place to watch, etc. If you’re one of those people who don’t mind crowds as much as others, this might not matter to you. I also prefer morning practices to afternoons, which are a lot hotter.
If you have any tips from your experiences at Titans training camp, please share them with us in the comments section. Please also feel free to ask any questions you might have.