NASHVILLE – After a pair of joint practices, the Titans and Buccaneers will play a preseason game on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium.
In another week, the Titans will wrap up the preseason and turn their focus to the regular season.
But hey, I'm getting ahead of myself here.
Let's just get to this mailbag first …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Ernie Dunbar from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim, it's been a while since I last written in. But that doesn't mean I haven't been reading. I think I last wrote in back during A. J. Brown's rocky year. Now we have a new crop of receivers and my question is similar to back than when we needed the receivers to get up to speed ASAP. Question: "Are the receivers putting in extra practice time on the Jugs Machine? And in particular Treylon Burks? I hope he knows the team, the fan base and the Media will be watching his every step. But mostly how well he run his routes and how many drops he has every practice and game. I only single him out because losing A.J. Brown we really need someone or group to make up that lost production. Receivers putting in extra time practicing routes and catching will help the team Win the AFC South again. After that anything is possible.
Jim: Hey Ernie. Guys are putting in the work, I can assure you of that. And Burks is among them. For some reason, I get a sense at least a small part of the fan base is pulling against Treylon, and I don't get. He wasn't responsible for the A.J. Brown trade, or for being brought in here immediately after A.J. was shipped to Philly. I suspect the overblown reaction to what happened/or didn't happen in May or June is still working against him in the eyes of some. But the kid has been working hard, and he's been getting better. The team needs him to be good. And, I can also assure you his head coach and position coach aren't cutting him any slack, but this is a guy who seems plenty motivated to me.
Jimmy Dee from Battle Ground, Washington
Question: Hi Jim. It was something of a surprise to read that Josh Malone is one of the cuts, especially so early. Sports reporters seemed to indicate that he was doing solid work in camp. The early cut indicates that the Titans had seen enough from him. Any insights as to why Malone was cut so early would be appreciated.
Jim: Hey Jimmy Dee. Josh Malone was solid in May and June, but quieter once camp started. I wasn't surprised he was cut, but maybe surprised it was so early. The reality is five guys were clearly ahead of him – Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips and Racey McMath – plus some younger guys who could help on special teams.
Joe Pinzur from Hartsville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Thanks for keeping us up to date on all thing Titans! My question is this: How confident are we going forward with our defensive backfield? They did not look great in Baltimore; and it has me wondering if our own lack of play-making receivers has our DB's appearing better in practice than they will actually be against the league's top talent. Or am I simply reading way too much into a single pre-season game? Appreciate your thoughts!
Jim: Hey Joe. I think you're a little premature on a couple of theories here, from your take on the team's receivers to the DBs. Plus, keep in mind Kevin Byard, Malik Hooker, Roger McCreary, and Elijah Molden didn't even play in Baltimore, and it was Caleb Farley's first game since his ACL surgery last year. So yes, you're reading way too much into a single preseason game.
Ronnie Chunn from Lewisburg, Tennessee
Question: Jim, Thanks for all you do. I only have one question at this time, is Jim Schwartz still involved with the Titans this year?
Jim: Yes, I see him on a daily basis on the practice field. He remains a senior defensive assistant.
Albert Gardner from Highland Village, Texas
Question: Hello Jim, I am a big fan of yours and the mailbag.
My question is: How much is Amy Adams Strunk involved with the team. Does she help make personnel decisions? Coaching hires? I know JRob is the GM and Coach Vrabel runs the team but just curious what AAS does on a day to day within the team. Thanks as always.
PS. Please tell Mrs Adams Strunk we can't wait until she breaks out those LoveYaBlue throwbacks @Houston next year 😀
Jim: Appreciate it, Albert. Well, she's very involved. She's involved in the big decisions, green lights the spending. She goes to all the games – home and away – and is in town for the draft. She has regular conversations with the coach and the GM, along with other top executives. But, she lets the folks she hires do their jobs. She hired Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel, and she lets them make their hires. … I'll let her know about the Oilers unis…
Luis Linares from Mexico City, Mexico
Question: Hola, Jim. Un gusto saludarte. Mi pregunta es: despu�s de ver varias sesiones de campos de entrenamiento y un partido de pretemporada, para ti, �qu� jugador novato no drafteado har� el equipo de 53 jugadores para el inicio de temporada?
Jim: Buena pregunta Luis. Necesito más tiempo. Me gustó la apariencia del liniero defensivo Jayden Peevy en la temporada baja, pero necesito ver más. Pude ver a Julius Chestnut quedarse en el equipo de prácticas. También me gusta el apoyador Jack Gibbens y el receptor Reggie Roberson Jr.
Anthony Malgiero from El Paso, Texas
Question: This is more of a statement for those people who think Treylon Burks had a poor showing in the preseason. He actually played quite well. Him not catching a pass had more to do with Malik Willis being a work in progress than anything else. And let's not forget that Willis only completed 6 passes to begin with. That's not a whole lot of opportunity for any receivers in the offense. Treylon IMO looks like he's going to be a good player, but like any rookie, there's going to be a learning curve once the game speed picks up.
Jim: Hey Anthony. I've seen the videos of him running wide open, too. I'm not going to say he played "quite well," not after his coaches said he was inconsistent and he didn't have a catch. But I do agree if Willis had found him several times, the conversation might've been a little different after the first game. I do agree with you that I think he's going to be a good player once he settles in.
Antuan Randle from Rialto, California
Question: California's Biggest Titan fan, wanted to congratulate the entire organization for all the hard work and dedication it's taken to bring our team back to competition. Tough loss last year should be the awakening for us just to work better towards not being PREDICTABLE IN THOSE TIGHT SITUATIONS. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW SAFTEY ADDITION FROM THE RAIDERS THIS WEEK? HOW CAN STRENGTHENING OUR depth at this position prove we have what it takes? Any updates on Hooker returning? Derrick, YOU'RE MORE THAN an inspiration keep up the good work...can we say 3-peat AFC SOUTH CHAMPIONS 💪🏾👍🏾
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Antuan.
Luke Williamson from Andover, Massachusetts
Question: Hey Jim! I'm a usual reader of your stuff and I love the Titans but I also loved the first season of the USFL. Are Terrell Bonds and Shakur Bonds still on the team and, if so, how are they doing?
Jim: Hey Luke. Terrell was released last week, but Shakur is still on the team and he's been scrappy – had an interception earlier in camp. With Elijah Molden sidelined a good chunk of camp, he's also gotten extra work in the slot.
Franky Markle from Dyersburg, Tennessee
Question: Just a statement. Jim thanks for your help, support, and keeping us in the loop. I have complete trust in our owners, GM, and Coach & his staff. I think big things can happen this year.
Defense wins championships!! TitanUp!!
Jim: Good to hear from you again, Franky.
Have a great weekend everyone!
