Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) defends against New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett during a combined NFL football training camp Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. ▲

NASHVILLE – Logan Ryan was lined up in the slot, but he started to creep toward his defensive line before Tom Brady was snapped the ball. The Patriots quarterback didn't hesitate to let his former teammates know exactly what he was going to do.

This happened every time Ryan attempted a cornerback blitz on Brady in Wednesday's Patriots-Titans joint practice.

"He told me every play I was blitzing today," Ryan said. "He was pretty much right on most of them. I got him on one. I do want to say that one the record, but he's sharp as ever."

Ryan would know. The Patriots 2013 third-round draft pick spent his first four years in the NFL practicing against Brady and the Patriots offense. He wasn't the only one with some familiarity during Wednesday's practice. Now in his third seasons in Tennessee, Ryan is one of several Titans with Patriots connections.

Starting with former Patriots edge rusher and current Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, the Tennessee-Foxboro bond runs deep for multiple players and coaches. Ryan joins former Patriots players Malcolm Butler, Dion Lewis, Cody Hollister and Frank Herron on the Tennessee roster. The Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees held the same title in Foxboro from 2006-2009.

Although not all these players departed from Foxboro on good terms, it was evident that the group took all the lessons they learned in Foxboro with them to Tennessee.

"It meant a ton. They believed in me. They drafted me out of Rutgers," Ryan said. "Gave me a chance to start in this league, won some Super Bowls. Was around Hall-of-Fame people. Saw how they worked. Saw how Tom Brady got the facilities, how Edelman got to the facility and kind of worked that into my routine of waking up early and working hard and taking it one day at a time. Those things, those years, I can never take for granted. They molded me a lot to be who I am today."

"I've learned a lot," Lewis added. "I learned a lot from James White. I asked James questions literally every single day. We sat right next to each other in meetings. He's one of the smartest football players I've ever played with. I try to take what I learned from him in the past and put that into my game."

Lewis looks back on his time (2015-2017) with the Patriots fondly, but he admits that he still carries a chip on his shoulder with how things ended. After signing with the Titans in 2018, he told reporters that the Patriots didn't think he was "good enough to be there." After the Patriots lost to the Titans last year, Lewis blasted the Patriots, saying they "got their ass kicked" for being "cheap."

On Wednesday, Lewis admitted he'll always have the chip – it's what fuels him – but backed off his 2018 comments.

"Just got done talking to those guys. I still love those guys," Lewis said. "It's fun seeing those guys. It still feels like I'm still there. the relationships I built with those guys has been great. I love everybody on that team."

Butler, who wasn't available to the media on Wednesday, didn't have the best exit from Foxboro, after famously being benched in Super Bowl LII. The cornerback, however, always said it wasn't personal when it came to Bill Belichick's decision, which many believe cost the Patriots a championship.

On Wednesday, Butler looked fired up on the practice field. During the first 1-on-1 drill, he allowed a catch to Phillip Dorsett, but quickly forced a fumble. On his next rep, Butler blanketed Dorsett before celebrating on the sideline.

The fun continued after practice. When session ended, Ryan was playfully being mocked by Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon before being interviewed. It made the cornerback smile and he was quick to fire back.

"I won two championships with those guys. Blood, sweat and tears," Ryan said. "I've known the McCourty twins for eight years. Duron Harmon was my teammate for eight years... I'm extremely grateful for those years in New England. I'm extremely grateful for my teammates in Tennessee. It's a big homecoming for me. As much as I want to be locked in every play I'm going against 12, I hear Jason over here and hear Devin over there. I see my man Brandon Bolden. It's hard not to smile when you see those guys with great memories."