Former Miami standout Cam Ward showing chemistry with Calvin Ridley as rookie QB gains momentum

Cam Ward did not throw a touchdown pass Friday. But the ball placement said enough.

The former Miami standout opened the final team period of practice by dropping back and launching what might have been his best throw of camp. The ball traveled close to 50 yards in the air and hit Calvin Ridley in stride with perfect touch down the middle of the field.

The only problem? Ridley dropped it.

Even so, that one play told the story of Ward’s day. The Titans rookie quarterback looked poised and in control throughout team drills. He dropped back 21 times in 11-on-11 action and did not have a single pass tipped, batted or intercepted. That is a major improvement after Ward threw five picks in three practices earlier in the week.

He completed 16 passes on the day, with a few others wiped out by penalties. Of his five incompletions, most were the result of safe misses, dropped passes or miscommunications. Only one came close to a defender.

That kind of decision-making is a good sign for the former Hurricanes star as Ward's arm talent has never been in question. What the Titans need is a player who can take care of the football and lead sustained drives.

Even without the completion, Ward’s deep shot to Ridley flashed everything the Titans hoped for when they took the first overall pick in this past year's NFL Draft.. The chemistry is starting to show. The confidence is building. Ridley is creating separation and Ward is trusting the route.

Once those plays start finishing the way they are drawn up, this connection could take off.

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Ward is not perfect yet, but this was his cleanest performance of camp. And for a rookie learning on the fly, that is exactly what matters.

The former Miami quarterback is beginning to turn heads in the Titans organzation. If he keeps trending upward, it will not be long before that buzz turns into something bigger.