Ward takes Canes Culture to Tennessee and the Titans have to get up early if they want to experience it

At the University of Miami, early morning workouts are the norm. It’s a culture set by the head coach. Mario Cristobal sleeps a handful of hours a night and is known to be the first through the door on most mornings.

Cam Ward bought into that mindset in his year at The U and taking that work ethic to his new job as quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.

Ward, the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, has been arriving at the Titans facility at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park by 5 a.m. to watch film, and get treatment.

“I am always energized – I am playing football,” Ward said. “I am doing what I love, and not a lot of people can do that in this world. So, I am always going to have energy when I’m on the field.”

Ward’s approach was so startling that Coach Brian Callahan spoke with him and cautioned against him burning out. The NFL season is long and demanding, especially for a rookie who has never been through it.

“Everybody always starts out of the gate pretty hot, you know?” Callahan said. “But you start to get into the actual routine and you understand how long of a season it is and the marathon that it is for young players from the time they finish their college season to the time they finish NFL season. I’ve made that point.

“I’m not telling him what to do, I’m just making the point that there’s a lot ahead of him that he’s not aware of yet when it comes to this, the length and the week-to-week-to-week grind that comes up for these guys. It is a marathon. I mean, this is a long run for these young players and all of them have to have the same sort of mindset that you’re trying to get better every day and trying to put the work in that’s required. But there’s also that element of this is going to go all the way into January every day for the next however many months. And there is a bit of pace that’s probably required. They learn, they figure it out, but you try to help them and give them advice and point it out when you can, but I have no problem with guys trying to get the work in.”

But Ward doesn’t know any other way, feels the life altering opportunity he has made for himself with that kind of work ethic.

He has gone through six off-season workouts now and a three-day minicamp is on the horizon. Ward has captured the attention of his teammates beyond the simple reality that as a No. 1 pick he is being looked at to be the future of the franchise.

“From Day 1 I met him, I knew he was going to be in the (play)book, and here,” receiver Calvin Ridley said. “It’s easy to relate to him, fun, (he’s) easy to talk ball with. … You have to have that (expletive)-it mentality, and he’s got that. I see a great arm, a great mind, someone who knows he can make the throws.”

“I think he’s a great player, has an immense amount of talent,” tackle JC Latham said. “He shows up every day, ready to work with the right attitude. He holds himself accountable, and he holds himself to a standard that a lot of people can learn from. In that regard, I think he’s a great player and was a great pick for our team.”

Ward has been progressing well on the field as he has become more comfortable with the Tennessee offense.

“I think I am making strides in the protection game, I think that is the biggest thing I have to improve on every week,” Ward said of recent work. “Just trying to get with coach Callahan as much as I can, get with (QBs) coach Bo (Hardegree), get with (o-line coach Bill) Callahan. Just trying to get better with my protection game.”

“It’s just the recognition part, understanding what’s being thrown at him from a defensive perspective,” Callahan said. “The protection game is always really important, so you’re getting reps at that. Happy with that process so far.

“And then he’s seeing different types of space and field defense that—throws that maybe he might’ve made in college that don’t show up in the NFL the same way and he’s learning from those. I think it’s been great. He’s had a lot of learning that has occurred from just the act of doing and things that he’s maybe used to doing that are different at this level and that’s always for young quarterbacks the case, it’s always going to feel different. So pleased with where he’s at, he’s picking it up pretty quickly as far as the mental part goes and we’re learning every day he’s out here.”

During the two open OTAs last week, Ward completed 23-of-38 passes on the 7-on-7 and team drills combined, with no interceptions. He impressed with his arm strength that allowed him to make tight-window throws.

“I can’t really make crazy plays in practice,” Ward said. “Practice only tells half of the story, the game has to tell the other half. I am more trying to be better on first and second down, and I have to get to third down. Try to keep the chains moving, every play we get. The more time the quarterback position can put the ball in play, let his receivers, tight ends, running backs make plays, the more successful our offense is going to be.”