NASHVILLE – Rookie minicamp is now a thing of the past.
The NFL schedule release is on the horizon, set to be released on Wednesday.
This Tuesday's Titans mailbag is here now.
Let's go…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Anthony Gray from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, It's been great seeing the videos of the rookies at rookie camp that you and other media members have posted. I'm ready for football NOW - why does the offseason have to be so long!? My question is - some coaches have a system they prefer to run and try to get their players to fit into their system. Others tailor a system to their players to play to their strengths. I understand having a system you believe in and want to run, but if your players don't have the skillset to do what you want/need them to, sometimes it may be better to try and create a system that plays to their strengths I know coach Callahan has a specific system he runs, but if it doesn't fit the new rookies like Cam Ward, do you think he will be flexible and install plays that he's comfortable with that fit his skillset?
Jim: Glad to be back at practice again, Anthony. It'll be Brian Callahan's offense, but I think the Titans will try and play to Cam's strength, and install things offensively, that are comfortable for him. But at this point, it's all about learning the Titans offense, because the team has four quarterbacks – Ward, Will Levis, Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle – currently in the mix, competing. Once we get into the regular season, I'm sure coaches will design some things based on who's the QB, and the opposing defense.
David Jenkins from Ashland City, Tennessee
Question: Appreciate all you do! With all the questions surrounding Restrepo's 40 time, why wouldn't the Titans have him rerun it at camp? And if they have, do you know what his time was?
Jim: Hi David. After Miami's Pro Day, the Titans met with Restrepo again at a private workout for Cam. I think everyone around here feels the same way about this: Restrepo's game tape, and how he performs here in the offseason, is more important than his 40 time. The guy was fast enough to set the Miami records for receptions (200), and receiving yards (2,844) and was fourth all-time in receiving touchdowns (21). And he was playing against good competition. Moving forward, he'll be judged more on his ability to get open and catch the ball against NFL defenders than his 40 time.
Quinn Lefkovitz from Brentwood, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim. My name is Quinn and I am 12 years old. My question is: Why do the titans have so many good RBs? We have Tony pollard, Tyjae Spears, Jabari Small, Kelel Mullings, Julius Chestnut and Micah Bernard. Other than the 2 rookies all the other guys have proven themselves to be great RBs in the NFL and the rookies might be able to prove that they are also able to fulfill that job of being the number 1 or 2 RB on the team. So what will we do with all those RBs? Will we keep all of them or will it be an all out battle in training camp to get the starting job? Thank you Jim for everything that you do!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Quinn. Well, the Titans won't keep them all. Tony Pollard has surely proven himself, with a long career of success. Tyjae has had his moment, but I know he's wanting to do it on a more consistent basis. In my mind, those are the only two locks. The rest of them are going to have to make themselves valuable on special teams, and show they can get it done if needed at running back. Staying healthy is also a big part of it. I suspect the team will keep three, maybe four, on the 53-man roster, with Chestnut and Mullings the favorites behind Pollard and Spears. There's room on the practice squad, too. But not all these guys will be around when the season starts.
Marcus Banag from Singapore, Singapore City
Question: Hey Jim. Greetings from Singapore! Firstly, I would just like to know what else do you do on the job other than write articles or maybe doing interviews and what do you enjoy most about it?
Secondly, it's nice to see the Titans make great moves in free agency and the draft in the past two seasons. The team is definitely taking a step in the right direction. I feel that Elic Ayomanor was a great steal, he has the tools and talent to be something great in the league while assisting Ward in his growth too, the other players the team drafted are dawgs as well! In your opinion, which position group would you feel is the most likely to take a step forward this year? I personally think our Offensive Line, with more reps together and hopefully health on our side, could really be a much better unit this year. Skoronski is very steadfast, Latham is in a more familiar position and will have learnt lots from his rookie season, Cushenberry brings stability at the center position assuming his healthy, Zeiter has proven to be a really reliable guard and Dan Moore is very experienced on the Left.
Jim: Hi Marcus. Well, I love just about all aspects of the job, from writing to doing interviews. Covering an NFL team in my hometown, I feel pretty lucky. And, I enjoy the interaction with the fans, from Nashville to Singapore and beyond. I appreciate you writing in.
I think you're right on with Elic, and he certainly made a great impression on me. He's big, looks explosive. And, I'm with you on the offensive line. I think the revamped group will be better across the board, with all the reasons you mentioned.
Alejandro Contreras from Jupiter, Florida
Question: Hello Jim.
New season, new hope!
As always we start with high expectations for the team. It's a rebuild process so we might not go all the way yet; but I honestly believe we'll win the south this year!
Very excited about Cam and the rest of our rookie class.
Titan Up!!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Alejandro.
Been to Jupiter many times, by the way.
My top three restaurants there: Hog Snappers, U-Tiki and Guanabanas.
Jeffery Busby from Terrell, Texas
Question: Good morning Jim how are You doing? You do great work following the Titan's everywhere they go and what they do. I have been a Oilers / Titan's fan all my life. I can remember the days when the Colts, Browns, Steelers, Bengals, and Oilers were in the same division. Going on to my question, because I could go on an on about the team because I have been a fan for 50 years. The question I have is: In your opinion, and I know you don't know because it's up to the coach, but which QB will be leaving the team this year?
Jim: Well, a lot to be determined here, Jeffery. Even more than the coach or GM, it's up to the QBs, and how they perform.
Frank Byrne from Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania
Question: I heard that Will Levis has been working with some QB coaches in the off season. Do you know who they are? Is there any indication that he has improved enough to be good competition for Ward in training camp? Or possibly as the back up? I have been an Oilers / Titan fan since 78 and would like to give Warren Moon a shout out for his classy decision to allow Ward to reactivate his retired number, dude was always top notch.
Jim: Hey Frank. Will worked with Jordan Palmer this offseason out in California. It's my understanding he also worked with him leading up to the NFL Draft. Will has looked good to me in offseason work so far. … Warren is a cool guy for sure.
Mitch Wilson from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: I am not emotionally tied to any of the QBs who played for the Titans over the last 10 years. I just don't get the excitement over picking Ward as pick 1-1. His scouting report score (6.39) is almost identical Levis (6.34) and Levis was playing hurt. Ward and Levis' NFL projection was exactly the same (starter plus in 2-3 years) Tennessee picked Levis up as the 2nd round pick because he had fallen in the draft due to his performance while playing hurt (turf toe and shoulder). Levis is tough, has heart and can make all the throws that Ward can make. The mental side of his game and Ward's are very similiar in that they have the same weakness....both get rattled under pressure and make questionable decisions. QB play in Nashville has been victim to a poor offensive line over the past few years. If you don't think bad performance by the O-line has a big impact, you need to go back and watch Mahomes during the superbowl. The O-line play should improve drastically this year based on moves during FA and the draft. QB play improvement should improve proportionately. None of that changes the fact that if Ward had been in the 2024 or 2026 draft, he would have been the 6th QB pick at best. I think any of the QBs over the past three years have the talent to lead the Titans deep into the playoffs if they have an o-line that allows the running backs to get to the line of scrimmage before they get hit, the QB has time to get through his progressions without a lineman hanging all over to him and receivers catch the ball when it hits them in the hands. Here's my question: If Levis outplays Ward throughout the preseason, do you think he will get the nod to start or will Ward get it because he went 1-1 and management is trying to save face????? Do you think the Titans made a wise choice with Ward at 1-1 when next years QB draft class is much better and the Giants offered this year's (1-3) and next year's (TBD) first round draft picks and several unspecified down ticket draft picks for 1-1 this year? Will it take a Ward injury for Levis to get a start or will they play the best QB even if it makes it look like they wasted 1-1 on Ward? I wish Ward (and all the rookies) luck. If everything I've read is accurate, he has a great attitude. He is the type of young man who should succeed if life was fair (but then again so are Levis and Willis). I hope Ward continues his record of improving on past success after ever move he has made and sets the field on fire. Nothing would make me happier than to be proven wrong but looking at everything, I think Titan's management took a bigger gamble on Ward than they have with players with mental health and physical issues in the past. At the very best, they over paid for Ward because he was the best in a weak QB class. They paid for a Mercedes (1-1) and got an Opel (2-3 round pick if he was in either the 24 or 26 draft). Mgmt better pray he performs..... I don't think they did a very good job of balancing short, medium and long term team goals. You don't gamble the teams performance in the mid and long term for one questionable pick. They could have done more to create the conditions for success and manage risk by taking the NYG trade, giving Levis a chance behind a decent O-line and picking up a better QB next draft if Levis fails. Now all their eggs are in one basket...Ward's.
Jim: A lot in here, Mitch. My reply will be short and sweet. Yes, I think the Titans made the right decision to pick Cam Ward first overall. Personally, I'm not going to waste any time wondering who the team could/could have potentially pick/picked in the 2026 draft. We have no idea where the 2025 team might finish, or be scheduled to pick.
Have a great week everyone!
