Instant Reaction: Cam Ward makes Titans debut in preseason game vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Titans fans were likely wringing their hands after Ward and the Titans started with a 3-and-Out.

A five-yard run by back Tony Pollard was followed up by two Ward incompletions. On 3rd-and-5, Ward appeared to leave the pocket early to his right before throwing it away. We won't know what the read for Ward was supposed to be, but it appeared Ward had options that were open.

Drive No. 2 provided an opportunity to settle in.

After only three offensive plays in the first frame, Ward ripped a ball to receiver Calvin Ridley for a 27-yard gain to get the offense across midfield on 1st-and-10. Ridley gave 10 back on the following play for offensive pass interference, but Ward found the veteran again for back-to-back completions for 10 and 13 yards respectively. Notably, Ward had plenty of time to operate behind an offensive line unit that was missing starters Kevin Zeitler and Lloyd Cushenberry.

Ward should have been intercepted on a 2nd-and-9 target intended for fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor. Bucs defensive back Josh Haynes had two hands on the pass, but dropped it.

Eight plays later, Pollard punched it in for a score from the Tampa one-yard line.