Robert Saleh Identifies Key Area Cam Ward Must Improve After Preseason Debut

Titans head coach Robert Saleh believes second year quarterback Cam Ward needs to establish a strong connection with his teammates.

Robert Saleh Identifies Key Area Cam Ward Must Improve After Preseason Debut

Cam Ward and Robert Saleh inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Cam Ward‘s first game under the new Tennessee Titans regime, headed by Robert Saleh, looked lackluster. But Saleh is not ready to pay much heed to Ward’s struggles.

Following the Titans’ preseason victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Saleh gave his honest thoughts on Ward’s performance. Saleh admitted that the second-year starter needs more time to establish a connection with his teammates.

[Cam Ward] was making the right decisions. And he was throwing the ball where it needed to be thrown. But, again, it comes back to time on task, trusting yourself and trusting your teammates. Get your feet in the ground and throw an accurate football.

Robert Saleh said on August 14

Ward started for the Titans against the Niners. He completed 5 of 12 passes for 57 yards and finished with a 56.6 passer rating before passing the baton to Mitchell Trubisky. Hendon Hooker and Will Levis took some reps as well.

Running back Tony Pollard scored the Titans’ only touchdown of the fixture. Kicker Joey Slye went 4 for 4 in his kicks. The Titans won 19-13. Up next, they face off against the defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks, before hosting the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium.

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Cam Ward is excited to work with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll

In the offseason, the Titans hired Saleh as head coach and Brian Daboll as the new offensive play caller. While Saleh’s appointment raised ample questions, experts were generally happy with the Titans bringing Daboll in.

Robert Saleh Identifies Key Area Cam Ward Must Improve After Preseason Debut
Cam Ward (Image via IMAGO)

Before his difficult spell with the New York Giants, Daboll made his name as the Buffalo Bills QB coach and OC. Josh Allen’s growth as a quarterback compelled the Giants to take a chance with Daboll. The Titans are hoping Daboll would have a similar impact on Ward.

When asked to describe his relationship with Daboll, Ward revealed that they are “a perfect match.”

We’re both hotheads. We both get to that point. But he’s taught me to be [more] calmer. And it’s just how I handle stuff, you know, on the field.

Cam Ward said on SiriusXM Radio Show

How was Cam Ward’s first season with the Tennessee Titans?

Ward beat out Shedeur Sanders to become the first overall draft pick. Tennessee selected him, and with Will Levis undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, Ward was named de facto starter from the get-go.

Ward finished his rookie year with a 3-14 record. Sure, it was a bad year, but it’s okay to give a rookie some grace, given the fact that he was thrown into a bad situation. Brian Callahan was fired after six games, leaving a coach with no head coaching experience to manage the team the remainder of the campaign.

Ward completed 59.8% of his passes for 3169 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 80.2.

What can fans expect from the new Titans?

Saleh and Daboll, along with general manager Mike Borgonzi, splashed $325.7 million during the offseason on 23 free agents, according to Spotrac. However, most of the new additions are from Saleh and Daboll’s old teams, the Jets and Giants.

Then again, the biggest addition came courtesy of the NFL Draft. They took former Ohio State star wideout Carnell Tate fourth overall and Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk at 31st overall.

Tate will serve as Cam Ward’s number one in the new season. Besides Tate, the Titans also have veteran Calvin Ridley, Wan’Dale Robinson, and second-year man Xavier Restrepo fighting for the starter’s job.

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