NASHVILLE – One preseason game down, two more to go.
But first, more practices to get ready.
The Titans are off Sunday, and this week will be a busy one with the Seahawks headed to town later in the week.
In the meantime, here's the latest Titans mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
John R from Las Vegas, Nevada
Question: Hey Jim! Hope you are doing well. I didn't get to watch Cam play because of the Pittsburgh game, but I followed it on my phone and saw some highlights. 5 for 12 for 57 yards on 3 drives doesn't make me feel great. I want to know the whole story. Was he missing throws or were the receivers in the wrong position? Were we holding back on play calling to not give away everything before the season? Also, did the offensive line hold up or did he throw a lot under pressure? I understand this is the first preseason game but not being able to see the game plus the stats and highlights I saw made me panic a little. Thanks again. Titan Up
Jim: Hey John. Well, if you missed the game, here's the Cliff's notes version: Cam engineered a beautiful 95-yard scoring drive to start the game, and if his night would have ended there, folks would be talking today about how great he looked. The next two possessions were sloppy, and he was off. It looked like he hadn't played a game in … over seven months. And that's because he hadn't played a game in over seven months. The good news is there's still nearly a month before the season starts, including two more preseason games. And, the starters are going to play more in the preseason compared to years past. So Cam and everyone else will get a chance to work off the rust. I get that Cam didn't look great, because he did miss some throws. But he played 22 snaps, and like you said, threw 12 passes. Let's give this more time before panicking. By the way, I thought Cam had his best practice of training camp on Saturday, when he completed 21-of-25 passes, with five touchdowns.
Tim Worthington from Utah
Question: Hey Jim!! been awhile since i wrote in, love that you give us this place and really do love the insights you give. There i was, thursday night, watchin preseason football. The only "primetime" game we get this year. Starting at the end of the second quarter!! (not when i began, thats the broacast, saw mendoza begin though, first round pick and all🤔)what do i see?? normal preseason football. However, lacking our starting quarterback former first round selection playing because espn apparently doesnt think anyone needs to see that. Then what do i see at half time??? a breakdown of every single starting qb play except for Cam Ward!! and then!! what!!!! a Shedeur Sanders warm up being showed!!How many times can they disrespect theTITANS like this without bein called out. i get it we aint played the greatest ball lately but g$d d!mn..pretty hard to turn our heads to that bro!!
Jim: I wouldn't worry about this kind of stuff, Tim. The best way to get attention, and to gain respect, is by winning. The team needs to start winning more than three games a year to make this happen. Another opportunity begins on September 13.
Lucas Wright from Atlanta, Georgia
Question: Hey Jim, first time writing. Titan Up! What positives can we take away from the game Thursday? I've seen a lot of negatives on social media and I'm trying to give the titans a little grace because it's the first preseason game. Also, do you think everyone that played on Thursday should have to play the second and third preseason games? I know there is risk of someone getting hurt but man we look like we need the reps. Thanks again!!
Jim: Some positives: I thought the o-line held up well. I thought the running game was impressive. Joey Slye had a great night. … As for how much guys will play moving forward in the preseason, head coach Robert Saleh said the plan is for the team's starters to play roughly 25-30 snaps against the Seahawks, potentially until halftime. Saleh said the plan is for the starters to play over 30 snaps in the preseason finale against the Bears. "We're going to build up," Saleh said. "It's all a numbers game at this point."
Eli Decko from Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim. You said I was in mid-season form last time I wrote. I didn't dream up people talking about Hooker on trade block. Some morons legit wrote about it and I found it hilarious. Hook is a really good player and it would be a bad idea to get rid of him. Anyway, the real reason I emailed was the preseason game. Now, you and many other Titans writers have spoken so highly about Cam Ward and how he has improve and how he is a leader and all that. Where was it at vs all the 2nd and some 3rd string guys for SF? I mean he gift wrapped an interception but of course it waa dropped by a 3rd string guy. 5/12 50 passing yards and a grounding penalty was pretty pedestrian. But it was a reflection of what we saw from him last year. Cool, he is confident, likes to talk shit, and is vocal. None of that matters when you are not performing. Cam is not performing. He was late on several throws, like almost all of them actually. The offensive line is truly terrible too. Outside of a few big run plays, the line was mediocre as well, let's not be fooled it was a shade over 3ypc if you take away the big runs. The defense didn't really look too good either. Big money spent on some corners who weren't very good. Big money players should be able to just go out and perform, not have to rely on writers bailing them out with excuses like "new team new scheme, new coaches" etc. Didn't they learn their lesson about corners already? I mean, remember the Nick Harper signing way back when? Or the little dude from Houston or even Snead? Kicker looked good though, there is at least that. Is there any chance we see more Trubisky?
Jim: Still in midseason form, Eli! 😊 Hope all is well.
Luke Shaw from Naples, Florida
Question: Hey Jim! Excited football is back. Positives from the game, we can run the ball. Negatives from the game, passing game and defense. I'm purely going off of stats because I couldn't watch because of the Steelers game. Can you tell me what you thought about Cam? I know it's the first preseason game but 5 for 12 on the 3 drives doesn't make me optimistic. Our defense with a lot of starters getting picked apart from San Francisco's back up QB made feel worse because I thought we'd do better. Was there a particular player on defense that did well and one that underperformed? I know we are only predicted to win 6 games but I would like a little more of a step forward. I've been a titans fan my whole life and I'm tired of the average at best. I'm staying positive! Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Luke. I touched on Cam right out of the gate. Yes, he needs to be better than he was on Thursday. But again, it's early. I agree the pass defense was shaky, and it wasn't great in the joint practice either, tbh. But there's time to get better, and keep in mind no one is game planning in these preseason games.
Jason Vesely from Mosinee, Wisconsin
Question: Although it is only preseason, however nonetheless to get a win on the road it sets tone. The Titans have been thin in the win department, so any win it's take it. I don't know what some of those pundits were saying and overreacting about how the offense looked, and how Cam Ward looks saying how lackluster his game is. I saw some of the highlights of the game, and that opening offensive series, where it was a 96 yard scoring drive, there is a lot of good in that: this is what the offense has to be able to do...start out deep in the hole and move it down the field and put points up on the board where the first offensive play started on the four yard line there were some real nice positive yard runs out of Pollard so getting the ground game going staying with it and setting up the pass it looked like something productive. It showed progression from Cam Ward as this drive showed the maturation I see him taking a huge step up and when it is all said and done he is going to be great.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Jason.
John Barrera from Concord, North Carolina
Question: Jim, I like to know how the Titans will fare in the AFC South and how will Cam Ward played this year as he has Robert Saleh and a new offensive Coordinator and is the Titans schedule better than in 2025?
Jim: Time will tell on all this, John. The team's strength of schedule is ranked as the eighth easiest, but that's based off last year's results, and the .0476 win percentage from a year ago. Teams are always better, and teams are always worse, than what people expect. So we'll find out over the course of September through early January on how much better, or worse, the schedule is.
Dennis Utterback from Louisville, Kentucky
Question: I just want to say. It's going to be another long season. I know it was the first game, but the Titans looked like they had never practiced. This team looked ridiculous, pitiful, sorry and the all above. The offensive line pitiful and the defense totally ridiculous. They can't tackle sorry. Season prediction 4 games. The uniforms are off the chain, they look awesome. If they could play as good as their uniforms looked they would win the Super Bowl, but we know that's isn't gonna happen.
Jim: Mr. Utterback, this is utterly ridiculous. Sorry couldn't resist. 😊 But c'mon, making a judgement after a few series, you're beginning to sound like my guy, Eli.
James Essary from Memphis Tennessee
Question: So do you think Bricillo can do it? They had pads on for a week now and other then 2 reporters, one big Jeff almost demolished last year, everybody has pretty good things to say about Ward. So is Ward doing magic or is the Line actually doing their thing and keeping him safe. From the coverage I believe it's Ward doing magic and if that's the case it's cool but opposing defenses are not gonna pull their punches. And if that's so how much of that is the defense playing great and the Line has to deal with that?
Jim: Hey James. I think Carmen Bricillo is a good coach, and players like him. But they're going to have to play well for him and some of these guys have something to prove. I thought a lot of guys looked solid on Thursday, but you can't ignore the fact the 49ers didn't have a lot of their key defenders out there. So, good or bad, all these questions need more time to provide real answers.
Kiera Williams from Collierville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim, this is Kiera a huge fan of the Titans been one since birth. I was wondering if there is any chance the Titans cut Will Levis? Also was wanting to express my thoughts towards Chimere Dike amazing guy got a selfie with him and his autograph at the Blue and White scrimmage.
Jim: Hi Kiera. Will is going to have to earn his spot like everyone else. If he doesn't perform well, sure, he could be released. He could also be traded. But he's not the only one in this boat. As for Chim, he is a good guy. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great Sunday everyone!
