"Moments after his first workout as a Tennessee Titan, Matt Hasselbeck made it clear that the process of learning a new offense would not be a speedy one.

He discussed the mental gymnastics of sorting through new terminology. He talked about throws that could have been better had he more familiarity with his intended targets. He even owned up to the one time "that anybody noticed, anyway" he went the wrong way.

When he was on the field, though, it was equally apparent to his new teammates that they ought to be in a hurry when Hasselbeck runs the huddle.

"You have to get used to his cadence and get used to how he calls the plays because he's real fast and real energetic," fullback Ahmard Hall said. "He's quick, man. He's a professional. He's been doing it for a long time and he's used to doing it.

"So we have to get used to that, and get back to the huddle - run back to the huddle … and move, move, move."

The recertified NFL players union ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the league on Thursday, which was the final step necessary to begin the new league year.

With that, free agents finally were allowed to practice with their new teams. For the Titans, that group included Hasselbeck, signed to be the team's starting quarterback, defensive tackle Shun Smith, linebacker Barrett Ruud and eight others, including returning players such as Hall and right guard Leroy Harris.

"It felt great," Smith said. "I'm not tired. I'm not breathing [heavy]. … It was so good to be out there. I signed here to do a job, and I wasn't able to do a job."