NASHVILLE – Welcome to the Fourth of July mailbag.
Hope everyone in Titan Land is doing well.
We still have some time to kill before training camp begins, but we'll keep things fresh here on the website, and position previews are coming soon.
But for now, another mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Kevin Hamner from Berkeley, California
Question: Hey Jim. As the Titans finished up their minicamp, I've been pleasantly surprised with how this young WR group has come in and shown flashes. I read your article about the 10 things that impressed you most about this offseason and you had the 3 rookie WR's Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor and Xavier Restrepo who have impressed you up to this point. My question is, have the Titans ever had such a talented group of WR room? I get pads haven't come on yet.. but it's hard not to get excited for this group moving forward. Thanks for you time. Titan Up!
Jim: It's definitely a solid group, Kevin. I hate to make comparisons, or project too much without seeing them in pads. These guys are going to have to really prove it soon. But I think Dike and Ayomanor are guys who could potentially make a pretty nice impact as rookies, and it's going to be fun watching Restrepo compete.
Tom Reynolds from Madison, Tennessee
Question: First time with a question but long-time reader. My question concerns a cornerback with a history of having an excuse to not practice with his teammates and misses far too many games due to injury. It seems to me the two are related. Is this due to too much confidence but not enough pride in his performance? From a musician's perspective it is akin to a member missing all of the band rehearsals then showing up for gigs only to find that their timing is off. Curious.
Jim: Thanks for jumping in, Tom. I know you're talking about L'Jarius Sneed here. His absences have been frustrating for everyone, there's no doubt about it. I said in here recently, based on how things have gone so far, it's hard to get your hopes up too much about him because he hasn't been able to practice much, and be available. I'll consider anything the team gets from him to be a bonus until he proves otherwise. With that said, I know folks are counting on him, and based on Sneed's comments recently, it sure sounds like he's motivated and ready to prove himself again.
Ross Stevens from Delaware
Question: Hey Jim. I know this time of the year can be hard to evaluate without pads, but how would you compare what you've seen of Cam in his impressiveness and how would he rank amongst the first impressions of rookie quarterbacks you've seen in your years covering the team? I know you've seen every rookie QB here besides McNair, so it would be a very interesting viewpoint!
Jim: Hey Ross. Good to hear from you. Once again, I hesitate to make comparisons this early. Cam will face a much bigger challenge in camp. I was around for McNair, but later in his career, when he got to Tennessee. Mariota is the rookie QB who lit it up early in his first training camp – he threw 230 straight passes at the start without throwing an INT until his 231st pass. We'll find out how Cam gets going later this month.
Micah McKamey from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I hope this finds you in good health. I was just wondering about Dan Moore and how he's been in camp because I haven't heard much about him from anybody and I'm just curious if it's because of the lack of pads or if something else is going on. Also, what's your favorite food?
Jim: All is good, Micah. Thanks. Been impressed with Dan. He's had a good offseason. I think his performance was probably overshadowed by JC Latham's weight loss, and progress. I'm looking forward to seeing Dan when the pads come on. … Favorite food? Oh man, this is a tough one. Love pasta, and Asian cuisine. Love a good burger, and steak. Love seafood, and Mexican. Heck, I guess I like pretty much everything.
Thomas Ledford from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: How is Gunnar Helm doing? One of my favorite picks of the draft and just wanted to know how he's getting along. Thanks!
Jim: Gunnar has been impressive, Thomas. Seems like he made a play in every practice this offseason.
Steven Crosio from Toms River, New Jersey
Question: Hey there Jim, was Taylor Swift's appearance at Tight End University a distraction to either Will Levis and or Gunnar Helm?
Jim: Not sure, Steven. If so, I guess they'll have to Shake it Off.
Tommy Henley from Cookeville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. I know it's still early, but how do you feel about Xavier making the roster you hear a lot bull on some of these sites. I know he's not got the speed that a lot of coaches want, but from what I've heard he had a awesome minicamp. What is your take on this? Guess I'm having hi hopes for the guy, they say he works is butt off, catches everything that's thrown to him.. anyways hope you an the family is doing well Jim like to hear from you, cuz I know your out there you see what's going on .. thanks again Titian up Fans!!
Jim: Hey Tommy. If you're talking about Xavier Woods, he's been good. Barring injury, I'm expecting him to be the starter opposite Amani Hooker this fall.
Tauna Tonks from Meridian, Idaho
Question: Rumor is Jeff Fisher is to return to the team as GM!!! True?
Jim: This is really a rumor? It's a bad one if so.
Pamela Saldana from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. It's been a minute since I contacted you. I hope all is well...I will certainly understand if I don't see my take on your site, as it isn't exactly enthusiastic or hopeful, for that matter.
Here's my questions: Why do we get rid of every good or better (especially better) receiver that we manage to draft or acquire?
Case in point: Derrick Mason...like AJ Green, we got rid of him in his prime...and like Green, Mason was a huge talent who (unlike Green) was almost as good of a returner as receiver. In 2000 he had over 2,600 all purpose yards. Not only that, but during his eight seasons with the Titans he went four straight years with over a thousand yards receiving.
So what did the Titans organization do? They traded him to Baltimore where he went on to four more 1,000 yard seasons.
Here are other noteworthy Titans receivers the organization traded--not due to injury-- at their prime. Ahem...the list is short.
Corey Davis...traded after 4 solid, promising seasons the last of which 2020 was his best, 16 yards from the 1,000 yard marker.
Justin McCareins...traded the promising young bruiser of a receiver, who flashed Anquan Boldin like traits, after his best season with 800 yards...solid returner too.
And now there's Nick Westbook-Ikhine, coming off his best season where he rode the bench most of the time before finally being thrust into the line up where he scored a whopping 9 TD's and is seventh on the season's receiver TD list.
Jim: Sounds like some pent-up frustration here, Pamela. :) I expected to see AJ Brown when you started this list, not Corey Davis and Justin McCareins. And, I really like NWI. But we can't forget the fact the team made him a competitive offer, and he took the deal from Miami. And, I think the Titans are in pretty good shape at the receiver position, with some promising young players and a few solid veterans.
Frank Huerta from Kyle, Texas
Question: This is not really a question but more of a message. A message to our fans. I've never been to see the Titans in Tennessee but I've seen the Ooilers in Houston and also Titans in Houston and against Dallas. So I don't really know the atmosphere but we need to be loud and obnoxious as Popovich would say. We need to build a fan base where no one wants to play in like Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. The Steelers have the Towel, Bills nation. Let's start TITANS COUNTRY!!! Let's Go Titans fans be louder baby! Titan Up this is our year .wooooohooo!!
Jim: Way to close us out, Frank!
Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone!
