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Turron Davenport
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Final yr at the moment, Will Levis knew he was the beginning quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. Now, he finds himself in an uphill battle towards No. 1 decide Cameron Ward.
“I believe anybody who’s ever been in my state of affairs can agree that it sucks,” Levis mentioned Wednesday. “I am simply making an attempt to do every part I can to not let it have an effect on me. I am simply being the identical dude every single day within the constructing and being right here for the blokes.”
Levis mentioned he foresaw the Titans drafting a quarterback with the primary decide and began to cope with the emotional side of it in the course of the buildup to the draft. It helped him concentrate on the positives, comparable to being in the identical offense for consecutive seasons for the primary time previously 5 seasons courting again to his faculty days at Kentucky and Penn State.
Levis additionally mentioned the quarterback room, which incorporates veterans Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle, has been nice as a result of the gamers are capable of “maintain it mild” whereas competing for a spot. Levis’ interplay with Ward has been optimistic as properly. Having been in the same state of affairs previously, Levis mentioned he is prepared to be there for Ward as he will get acclimated to the NFL.
“He’s a extremely good child,” Levis mentioned. “We have been capable of discuss loads about simply the totally different installs that we have gone by way of and listening to his perspective, how he sees issues. He is a heck of an athlete, a heck of a quarterback, too.”
“It has been good,” Ward mentioned. “He was one of many first ones to return as much as me within the locker room. It is thrilling to work with any individual who’s performed an precise NFL soccer sport. So I am glad to take a bit of recommendation from him.”
Ward and Levis shared reps with Allen and Boyle in the course of the crew interval and 7-on-7 work Wednesday. Titans coach Brian Callahan cautioned to not put an excessive amount of weight into the present order or rep sharing as a result of it is extra of an educational interval.
Throughout the offseason, Levis went to California to work with private quarterback coach Jordan Palmer. Levis wished to rebuild from the bottom up and concentrate on the fundamentals with Palmer. He mentioned he feels good now after “relearning his stroke” and dealing on numerous footwork enhancements.
“I have been actually happy with the work that he is put in,” Callahan mentioned. “I see an actual enchancment in his footwork and his base. His potential to regulate the soccer has improved.”
Levis was final within the order in the course of the Titans’ first 7-on-7 interval. He accomplished a fast slant to second-year receiver Jha’Quan Jackson and linked with veteran James Proche II on the bottom of the play after his first two reads have been taken away.
Follow ended with security Mark Perry intercepting a Levis cross and returning it for what would have been a pick-six. So Levis nonetheless has work to do as he tries to refind his floor as a beginning quarterback within the league.
Levis intends to remain able to reap the benefits of any alternatives that may come his means if he does not win the job in Tennessee.
“I do not plan on shifting my mindset in any respect no matter what the state of affairs is,” Levis mentioned. “I am simply going to be able to play quarterback at any time when my title’s referred to as.”
