Where Malik Willis can grow – plus other takeaways from Tennessee Titans training camp Day 6

The Tennessee Titans held their sixth day of training camp Tuesday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

Here’s what stood out:

Malik Willis feels ‘light years’ ahead of rookie minicamp

Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis said he’s “light years” ahead of where he was on the first day of rookie minicamp, but he and offensive coordinator Todd Downing acknowledged that timing is something he needs to work on.

The third-round pick has had his ups and downs in training camp. He’s flashed the arm strength and improv that made him a potential first-rounder, but has held the ball in the pocket too long and been late on throws at times.

Downing said the 6-foot-1, 219-pound Willis is physically gifted and on a “good trajectory,” but must work on tying his footwork to his progressions.

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“It means I’m processing faster than what I’m used to going within my footwork,” Willis said of Downing’s remarks. “I’m processing the information and knowing what I need to do, but in order to throw it on time and be able to throw with anticipation, I need to help my feet get up to where my processing is. It’s knowing what to do, but getting the reps where you’re able to do it without thinking.”

Downing said Willis is just going through the natural development of a young quarterback.

"I think he’s starting to figure out some of those tight window throws or if you’re a little bit late on something, you can’t necessarily jump make up for it with ball speed. The DBs are going to close that window a little bit faster," Downing said. "There’s certainly some new types of concepts that he’s seeing for the first time. There’s some new defenses that he’s seeing for the first time.

"I think where Malik’s development will take off is once he’s able to say, ‘Oh, yeah. I’ve seen this before,’ he can react a little bit sooner. He’s on the right path.”

Strong showing from Racey McMath, offense

Second-year receiver Racey McMath had at least three receptions, including two touchdowns during the early team period.

He first scored after cornerback Kristian Fulton collided with safety Amani Hooper on a deep ball, then beat Caleb Farley on a post route to make a diving catch in the end zone. A sixth-round pick last year, McMath had to leave practice after the hard fall but later returned.

McMath’s dominance highlighted a strong day for the offense. The starting unit completed a number of first-down catches in situational drills. A couple standout plays? First-round pick Treylon Burks winning against Farley, who was in position to make a play against an in-breaking route, and third-year pro Nick Westbrook-Ikhine running a beautiful out route about 15 yards down field.

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was short in his assessment of the defense post-practice, saying it has to be better and was not good enough.

Physical practice

Beyond a pre-practice confrontation between offensive linemen Jamarco Jones and Taylor Lewan, outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi and offensive tackle Jalen McKenzie had a brief scuffle, too. Adeniyi won a rep in team drills against McKenzie, who was holding. Adeniyi pushed McKenzie after the whistle and was sent inside before returning at the end of practice.

Backup offensive lineman Daniel Munyer and defensive back Chris Williamson also left the field during team drills with apparent inj.

Randy Bullock stacking good days

Place kicker Randy Bullock continued his strong training camp, going 8-for-8 on field goals. He hit from 40, 33, 37, 43, 47, 49, 52 and 33 yards.

With undrafted rookie Caleb Shudak on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, Bullock hasn’t had any competition since the beginning of training camp.

No Bud Dupree, ElMolden

Outside linebacker Bud Dupree and nickelback Elijah Molden were not spotted on the field. Molden missed his third straight practice, while Dupree was absent for the first time.

Defensive lineman Denico Autry was present during team stretch but left mid-practice and did not return.

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans training camp Day 6: Where Malik Willis can grow