NASHVILLE – Welcome to the bye weekend.
I'm going to bang out this mailbag, and then say bye myself, at least for about 48 hours.
Then we'll be back at it on Monday, ready for the final eight games of this Titans season.
Thanks for continuing to read, and write in, during these dark days in Titan land.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Reashad Bradley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: I hope you're doing well. As a devoted Titans fan, I wanted to get your thoughts on the recent management changes. With four head coaching changes and three different GMs, yet Chad Brinker still in place, do you think the current power structure can succeed?
Amy Adams Strunk is serious about winning, but it's concerning how inconsistent the vision has been. It felt like previous coaches didn't get a fair shake given the ever-changing management. Do you believe the latest house cleaning will help us get closer to a Super Bowl appearance, and will the next head coach have the autonomy needed to make a real impact? Thanks for your insights!
Jim: Hi Reashad. You're right – there's been a lot of movement. Chad Brinker was retained to help right the ship following Ran Carthon's departure. I thought he, with ownership, made the right decision in hiring Mike Borgonzi as the team's general manager. I have faith in Borgonzi. He's a hard-core football guy, doesn't care who gets the credit, and is all about the job. If you haven't seen his press conference from Wednesday, you should check it out. Dave Ziegler (assistant GM), Reggie McKenzie (VP/Football Advisor) and Dan Saganey (VP, Player Personnel) have since been hired, and they're solid football evaluators, have been in the business a long time. Let's be honest: This group inherited a mess, a team coming off a 3-14 season with a head coach who was on thin ice when they got here. He's since been fired. At the start of the year, I thought this would be a six-win season, but I don't think that's going to happen now. I do think things will get better, but it's going to take some time. This is a complete rebuild, as we've seen by the moves of late. This group needs to draft well, make good decisions in free agency, and they'd better find the right head coach in January. Otherwise, this game of Whack a Mole will continue.
Harry Prentiss from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Question: Jim it took me a long time to put the game on last Sunday but when I did other than another loss I was more pleased with the team than recent efforts. I have a little different perspective on our Blue than many on here just because I'm a COF (Certified Old Fart) and have rooted for the franchise since 1965. I saw back to back 1-13 seasons in 1972-3 and I was sure as a 15 and 16 year old at that time that was going to be their ceiling. Sid Gilman started the improvement and the Bum and Dante Pastorini and the Tyler Rose Earl Campbell came along and through good drafts this franchise improved. I have hope with this last draft class and I'm hoping with a couple more good drafts and some wise decisions in free agency we will be a very good team again. This front office seems to have a measured plan and if ownership lets the GM go you'll be seeing more positive letters. That's my hope and my opinion and by the way THANK YOU for all you do!
Jim: Hello Harry. A very optimistic take. Appreciate you taking the time.
Will Lobb from Buffalo, New York
Question: A couple of questions. Besides the rookies and Simmons, which players have exceeded expectations this year?
Why don't the Titans employ a tush push like the Eagles on short yardage plays? It seems like 2 tush pushes to gain a yard have better odds of success than a dumb wildcat formation with player pulling. Especially on the goal line when once a player pulls, the gap is immediately filled.
Jim: Cedric Gray, Peter Skoronski, Jihad Ward, Sebastian Joseph-Day are a few in addition to the rookies and Simmons.
I don't know why every team doesn't use the Tush Push.
James Bowles from Pensacola, Florida
Question: Now that the Callahan's are gone and looking at the numbers put up with a comparison between Cam Ward and Will Levis in my opinion I think Levis is equally as good as Ward and think he has a shot at competing for the starting job next year what are your thoughts?
Jim: Cam Ward will be the team's starter next year. The biggest question I have is whether Will Levis will be on the roster, or traded.
Chuck O from Austin, Texas
Question: Hello Jim! Do you think management will be trading Jeffrey Simmons anytime soon. Cause you know that's how they are. I think the players really want to be traded to teams with winning attitudes. You notice most of the players and coach Vrabel for that matter excel on other teams. Been a fan since the Pastorini days. They were pretty bad in 72. Gotta get that winning attitude back.
Jim: Jeffery Simmons isn't going anywhere any time soon.
Rocky Menard from Paris, Tennessee
Question: Do you think that Cam Ward can improve or is he just a soso qb?
Jim: Hey Rocky. I think Cam will improve, as the team improves around him.
Randy Martinez from Altadena, California
Question: Hello Jim. I hope you and your family are well. How's Will Levis coming along? Thanks for all you do!
Go Dodgers!
Jim: I'll be honest, Randy: I haven't see Will or heard much about him of late. Last I heard is he's in California, rehabbing. I hope he was able to watch the parade. Go Dodgers!
Clint Phillips from Fletcher, North Carolina
Question: So, do you think next season will be an all out QB battle for the starting position between Cam and Will? Or do you think Cam is solidly entrenched as the starter?
Jim: I think Cam is entrenched as the starter.
Bob Easley from Austin, Texas
Question: Jim, a couple of thoughts on our QB situation that I haven't heard others say…
Cam has a great arm and work ethic and more, if I have a concern about his ability - it's not that he isn't fast - it's just that when he tries to break from the pocket to avoid a sack, his first step or two seem to be slow whereas many other QB's escape the rush with a quick first step or two.
While on the QB topic, I get that Levis is out for the year and rehabbing. However, with him under contract through 2026 and receiving millions of Titan dollars, I don't understand why our management does not insist that he rehab in Nashville and be in meetings and at home games for the following reasons:
- If Cam should have a significant injury later this year or early in preseason next year (hopefully not but hey, this is football) that keeps him out of the lineup for the first 5 or so games next year…Levis could get a 2nd chance and who knows, if he does well…he could help us or his trade value could skyrocket.
- We won't get much in trade for him until he is proven healthy, so let's keep him until he can prove it next pre-season.
- Being at the home games this year and in meetings while rehabbing his shoulder (he can still walk etc.), he could be experiencing some real game situations even if our offense changes next year.
- I know, I know, Levis made 2 bone headed turnover mistakes last year, but he's got an arm and athleticism and I'm hopeful he has learned from them. Let's see if we need him next year and in the pre-season, if he proves he is healthy…his trade value might rise.
The insider stuff I don't and can't know is that management might be concerned he would add some negativity to the team chemistry.
Other than possible negativity, next year, we might find we have a talented guy (2nd round draft pick) who learned from his turnover mistakes AND learned never to dive and land on his throwing shoulder! If so, possibly he can help the team or possibly we have a significant trade that can be had.
And since this is "Ask Jim"😀, Jim, surely you agree, right?
Jim: A lot of Levis love in here today. I like Will myself, just not sure what the future holds for him here. I think we'll get more clarity on this during the offseason.
Raymond Farrar from St. Louis, Missouri
Question: Hi Jim! As I type this, it's the trade deadline day. Dre'Mont, of course, is gone as well as McCreary, & Brownlee. My question is: How do you think the Titans will do, record wise, for the remainder of the season?
Jim: You've been in here a lot over the years, Raymond. 😊 You know I don't like to make predictions.
Costa Babalis from Montreal, Canada
Question: Hi Jim. I received a gift from my boss at the beginning of the season. He surprised with an early retirement gift and got me tickets to come down to watch the Titans and Chiefs play at the end of the season. Still looking forward to it even if the season is not going well. A fan has to be a fan when it's good and when it's bad.
I know we are not a good team but I feel the play calling and time management has been dismal. I do not understand why they tried a direct snap on 4 occassions and failed all 4 times. When we had a back like Henry I can understand but nothing against Pollard but that is not the right call. As a defensive coordinator when I see that I am playing the run and let him try passing. I really think we could've won that game if they didn't do that on 4th and goal at the one. I didn't like the firing of Vrabel and McCoy is not the answer and hope we go get an established NFL coach for next season. What do you think?
Jim: Hey Costa. Congrats on the upcoming retirement.
I'm with you on the direct snaps – after the first one, and the second, I would have canned it.
McCoy is doing his best to make the best of a bad situation. And I would also like to see an experienced coach hired in January. I suspect that will be the case, but we don't know who the candidates will be – or what the other openings will be – yet. And, of course, that could impact things. I hope you have a great trip here in December!
Have a great weekend everyone!
