NASHVILLE – Now that was a nice conversation, and mood, changer.
The Titans rallied for a memorable win on Sunday against the Cardinals, and if nothing else, it quieted all the doom and gloom in here.
At least for a week.
No one is celebrating too much after one win, not when the record is 1-4.
But the rousing victory did provide reason for more optimism, and now the team has to keep the positive vibes going.
Let's check the pulse in here in this Tuesday's mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Steven Tilton from Safford, Arizona
Question: Hi Jim! Due to a combination of circumstances, the ability to go to a Titans game is usually fairly impossible for me. So when the Titans were coming to my state of AZ, on the beginning of my fall break (I am a school teacher), on an afternoon game, my wife surprised me and we got to go to my FIRST Titans game ever! Likely won't be able to go to another one for a long while as cross country travel is out of my league. What a fun experience being in Glendale to see the Titans in person! And what a game!! People may call it ugly, or lucky, or whatever, but man it was great to be there! We have a very large number of problems as a team, but those last 7 or 8 minutes of the game sure looked like we put them aside and got to work!
I suppose my question stems from my complete ignorance coming to games, but I was AMAZED to see all the Titans jerseys in State Farm Stadium! I'm not claiming we took over the place or anything, but I was impressed with the Titan fan turnout. Two toned blue (and many oiler colors!) were scattered throughout the stadium! Is it normal for the Titans fanbase to turn out so well at away games? Or is it normal for most NFL games to have such a mixed crowd in attendance? I thought I'd be in a significant minority, but I felt like I was around Titans fans at every corner.
Oh, and I think I saw the team buses pass us by on the interstate heading to the airport on the way home, which was also a really special treat lol. The whole experience was fantastic, and even more so because they were able to pull through with a win.
Jim: Hey Steven. You picked a great first game! You sure owe your wife after this. And, I have to say I noticed a lot of Titans fans at State Farm Stadium myself. It was an impressive turnout. There was a ton of blue behind the Titans bench, and throughout the stadium. I think part of it is the Titans aren't out west a whole lot, so it provided a great opportunity for fans like you to see the team in person. The Titans have several west coast trips this season, so it's a great chance for the west coast fans to see the team. And, they're destination trips for fans from Nashville (my son-in-law and his family made the trip to Arizona and made a long weekend out of it). I know players and coaches noticed it as well, because they talked about it after the game. It was great to see so many loyal fans sticking with the team during tough times, and on Sunday, they were rewarded. Now the Titans need to find a way to win more often.
Emma Fyfe from Glasgow, Scotland
Question: Hiya Jim. Good morning from Glasgow, where Titans fans are certainly thin on the ground. I don't have much of a question, just wanted to get some thoughts off my chest.
I was delighted to wake up this morning and see we had squeaked out a win last night, as I never get to see the second half of the "late slate" games. However, I was discouraged to see commentary from the fanbase around how the win wasn't good enough as we won through Arizona's mistakes and detailing how bad we actually were, particularly the OLine and WRs. I shudder to think what the comments would've said had we not capitalised on AZ's errors!
I appreciate we have had a rotten couple of years of it, but from spending a lot of time in Titans spaces on the internet (the only way I'm able to be part of the "fandom" from across the pond) it seems this fanbase delights in being miserable, and can often focus on the worst rather than looking for the wee chinks of light. Unfortunately this is particularly evident with our fans being particularly vocal about their displeasure in the comments areas of Titans social media posts.
While I know the players have bigger fish to fry, they will of course be able to see these comments on the Titans instagram, facebook, etc pages - they can be seen liking and sharing the social media posts, so they're obviously interacting with them.
I'm chuntering on, but I just feel it's so important in this day and age especially to be mindful of the impact our words can have on these young men who are trying their best to be good at their job. I know I'd hate to finish a shift at work and find comments all over the internet stating how dreadful I was.
Be kind and Titan Up!
Jim: Great message, Emma. I admit, I've noticed a ton a negativity from the fan base myself, especially on social media. The Titans have caused it by losing so many games, there's no denying that. But it's also the world we live in. Heck, there are probably some Chiefs fans who want Andy Reid fired and Patrick Mahomes traded after a 2-3 start. The best way to turn the negativity into positivity is by winning. I know the team has a lot of loyal fans -- I see them in here, and at games. And it's great to see and interact with so many fans across the world, like yourself.
Howard Turner from Atlanta, Georgia
Question: Yooooooooo JDub!!!! #WeFinallyGotADub!!!
1. The half where all three phases played out of the MINDS had me running through the house! I declared us DONE in quarter 2!! #HowSway?!! #TheShotgunFumble #TheTouchback #TheInterception/Fumble/Touchdown #TheManyCamDots
2. This has to be the wildest win since the Music City Miracle!! #You'veWitnessedThemAllFirsthand.
I know nothing tops January 2000, but where do you rank this comeback in Titans lore?
3. Can you describe what this one felt like in person? Allow those of us at home to live vicariously through the visor. Could you see it coming, did you feel things falling in place, the tension in the building, Cams resolve? #MailbagShowAndTellTime
PS: Shouts to the coordinators #DenardAndBo
Jim: I think it was a relief for a lot of people for sure, and yes, the plane ride back to Nashville was more fun for a lot of people. I actually thought the Titans would win on Sunday – I told this to several people before the game. I also thought the team would get blown out in Houston in the week before. Both happened. So what do I think will happen Sunday? 😊
Owen Barron from Milton, Delaware
Question: Hello again Jim. So I went for a run and the Titans were losing 6-21 to the Cardinals. I come back an hour later, and it's 19-21 and I watch Joey Slye kick the game winning field goal. It was wild. Then I started wondering, we built a lot of momentum off of the frustrations, and determination to win. So my question is: How do the titans keep this momentum going? Are there things to improve on or do we just keep the 4th quarter momentum going against the raiders? By the way, Tyler Lockett's touchdown was hilarious.
Jim: Sounds like you need to go for a run more often during Titans games, Owen!
Hopefully Sunday proved to a lot of guys this team is capable of playing better than it did in some previous weeks.
Alf Ritter from Munich, Germany
Question: Hi Jim. Thank you for navigating the fanbase through the dark weeks of losses and 3-and-outs!
Sunday's win feels great!
(even though the Cardinals offered some support)
Especially encouraging to me were the late drives with the offense getting into a flow.
Of course football is a team sport - but Big Jeff deserves MVP consideration!
Not a serious question but interesting nevertheless: How many of this week's mailbag messages even dare to include the word "playoffs"? (not counting mine ;-) )
Jim: Hey Alf. Aside from your mention, I haven't seen that word in here yet …
Michael Parker from Houston, Texas
Question: Jim — here's my question for Tuesday:
Tell me what you liked better on Sunday — a Sloppy Joe or a Manwich. Because that answer says a lot about how you viewed the game.
See, a Sloppy Joe is that kind of Sunday where everything spills ,the sauce runs down your hands like a bad read on a run play, or that moment you shake your head over a dropped ball or a missed extra point. It's messy, unpredictable, and you're just trying to hold it together before it hits the plate.
Then there's the Manwich ,still a little messy, but controlled. You might get a bit on your fingers, but you just lick it clean and keep watching, locked in. It's got structure, balance, flavor, and a little grit.
So was the Titans-Cardinals game a Sloppy Joe Sunday or a Manwich Moment? Because one left sauce everywhere… and the other held its shape just long enough to finish the bite. TitanUP!!!
Jim: Now this is an interesting question, Michael. 😊
I'll go with another: It was like an In-N-Out, animal style. The Titans got in and out of Arizona with a win, and it was a little messy.
Jack Walker from Calabasas, California
Question: Hey Jim, a good old fashioned ugly win. I love it! Cam's best game of the year... Defense stepped up when it counted and frankly the Cardinals aren't very good! But I'll take it!! Woohoo!! Game ball Calvin Ridley!! Still a highly, highly flawed team but all smiles this week.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Jack.
Neil McGeehan from County Derry, Ireland
Question: Jim! A win! A road win!
Team showed a bit of guts, OLine looked good, defence was strong, big Jeff fantastic & Cam getting better every week. Reasons for optimism!
Jim: Happy to hear Ireland enjoyed it!
Eric Meyer from San Lorenzo, California
Question: Hi Jim. What a win. I'd almost forgotten how good Sundays and the subsequent Mondays can be when you get to watch your team win (0-10 previously?). I know that the problems haven't magically disappeared but it was nice to see that extra fire from everyone on the team as the Titans were making that comeback. Callahan looked quite fired up when the defense was getting those stops and the offense was making plays. It was a welcomed sight. Only one question for you: What source Should I keep my eye on for finding Titans related pregame festivities for this week in Las Vegas. I'll be at the game with a friend of mine. I'm looking forward to it. Anyways, hope you have a good week. #Titanup
Jim: Hey Eric. The night before the game the team is holding a Road Rally at Ole Red on the strip in Las Vegas from 5-8 p.m. Titans alumni will be there, and there will be giveaways. You should check it out!
Nicholas Price from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: In my opinion, I think it's safe to say that if Joey Slye misses that game winning field goal, he's out of a job today. I wasn't real happy when the Titans let Nick Folk go, and I believe the Titans should continue to look to upgrade the kicker position. I think they should do everything they can to acquire Justin Tucker once his suspension is over. What is your opinion?
Jim: He made the kick.
Andy Rao from Arlington, Virginoa
Question: Observations On This Season's First Win.
Hi, Jim. This team needed a W in the worst way, and luckily the Cardinals were more than happy to oblige. There is a solid a quarter and a half of the Titans not doing anything on offense, so I'm not going to go into what that was all about. Only going to mention the positives here. Finally, a WR #1 type game from Ridley. From start to finish. His play in this game finally justified his game check. More of this please!!!! I've heard it said that since the pre-season has been shortened, teams look at the first four games of the regular season as kind of pre-season-ish, except that they count. That being said, after having four games under their belt, it looked like for large chunks of the second half, this team had it together. The O-line had a few hiccups early during the Cards onslaught, but once that second half rally was on, they locked it down. Ward had a pocket he could trust for the most part. And Pollard had nice choices for running as well. Ten more carries in the game, and he probably has 100 yards rushing. Not going to blame that fumble on him. Martin-Robinson's foot getting caught up in Pollard's ball carrying arm didn't help. I still don't understand how that happened. But it did. Demarcado's goal-line fumble was obviously the turning point for this team. They came right back and scored. And then were on their way to score again, when that A-B-A fumble recovery in the end zone happened. About the only positive play that Lockett had on Sunday. He seems to be floundering. Ayomanor showed up on the second half after being MIA for most of the first half. A concerted effort to get Dike the ball more. Now, I know why I like him. He reminds me of when the Titans had Kalif Raymond. A good returner and someone who you could use to stretch the field. He had a nice 61 yard kickoff return in the second half to set the Titans offense up with great field position. Even though the Titans didn't hit with any of their Dike deep routes, they should keep doing that at least one a every three drives just to keep the field stretched for Ridley and the rest. Bo finally figured out how to get the best from Chig and Gunnar. For Chig, get the ball to him quickly and let him pick up yardage in RAC fashion. Helm is a polished route runner and you can be more surgical with him. Best use of the TEs so far this season. This could be the two-headed TE monster that carries this team far from here on out. Cam missed a few throws here and there, but was money when it counted. He does have the arm- there is no question about that. Ward was much better in either getting out of the pocket and scrambling for yardage, or throwing the ball away. No coverage sacks. He's learning. Baby steps. There were couple of instances where he was trying to jam the ball into a tight space in a zone either to Ridley or Ayomanor. Balls that could have been picked off. His interception was on a tipped ball so he gets a pass and a football gods get out of jail free card with that end zone fumble recovery. Now for the defense. It says something that over the course of a game, you shut a team out during a complete half of football. Almost unheard off in the pros. So even though the defense got pummeled for a 21-6 halftime lead, making those half-time adjustments, and just playing better has to count for something. Sneed running down Demarcado and maybe goading him to taunting Sneed by holding out the football and then fumbling it out of the end zone for a touch back is something. Actually, just impressive speed running him down. Armour-Davis improved his play in the second half. Overall, the displayed tackling was exceptional. Lots of gang tackling. The D-line, and not just Big Jeff, but Key, Jones, and the rest were a force all game long. Big Jeff had a monster game. This game has to go on his video campaign for NFL Defensive Player of the Year of 2025. Barton and Gray were solid. Hooker strung together a couple of nice plays in the second half. He was active. Overall, a B+. Well, we're grading on a curve. The first win on this season makes that B+ and A-. The Cards helped a lot by turtling up on offense in second half. Plus, something was off with Murray after that fumble recovery by Jones. Special teams. Slye is still problematic. Missing that XP doesn't inspire confidence. One wonders if the Flying Callahans going for it on 4 and 10 at the end of the first half instead of letting him try a 58 yarder to end the half reflected their lack of trust in Slye's leg. But when he had to, he snuck that kick just inside the right upright to secure the win for Titans. Dike is money on those returns. Even the kick coverage was good with one punt being downed at the ten yard line. And for as much grief as the Flying Callahans get about end of half miscues through these five games, the head coach should get plaudits for the way that they handled the last two minutes of that game on Sunday. Perfect. So, as I sat in my basement wearing my CJ2K jersey and listening to my brother (Cowboys fan) make fun of me for the most part of this game, even he was in shock about what happened at the end. Of course, I got to yell 'Have SOME!!!' at him and the TV! This is what makes the NFL hard to beat even for fans of a team that still has lots of work to do. That being said, at least for this Sunday, my patience was rewarded. And even though, it's in Vegas, the Raiders are a very beatable team. If these Titans take two of three on this road trip swing…Fingers crossed.
Jim: Looks like you were locked in Andy! Well done.
Charles Stanford from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Finally! A win by default!! This is embarrassing for the state of Tennessee!! Why aren't Callahan and Cam Ward being replaced immediately?!? And how about a new kicker too… wow! Can't even make an extra point? I sure hope Taylor Swift is touring when that new stadium opens because no one is going to come to watch the Titans unless something drastic happens very soon.
Jim: There are no such things as wins by default. Show me that category in the standing.
Richard Robles from Springfield, Tennessee
Question: Hi! Amazing win! We need another win to actually stretch more wins! Titan Up! Tyler Lockett pulled off a miracle! Now we need to focus on winning another game!
Thanks! Titan Up!
Jim: Good to hear from you Richard.
Gary Corley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim I'm writing in the Saturday before the game and not with a question but I'm writing with a affirmation Titans get there first win tomorrow I see a big game from Big Jeff and company and I see our Offense stepping up and us getting our first W Cam will have a good game and show us he is our future
Hopefully this makes the mailbag this week after we win to show it's still some believers in our team thanks Jim TITAN UP!!!!!
Jim: Great call Gary!
Matthew Dively from Greeneville,Tennessee
Question: hey Jim been a titans fan for years my question is when the Qb is sucking it up why not put in the backup to see if he can do better who can make that call ?? I'm sorry but looking to be a long long season if we don't do something TITAN UP
Jim: Hey Matthew. I guess I got this email around halftime. Glad it didn't go to the head coach.
Murle Kenerson from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: This is not a question, but a request. Coach Callahan needs to be fired immediately. It's quite likely that the Titans will go 0-10 before they win a game and that's optimistic. They fired the general manager for his poor performance, last year I believe, and it is now time to part with Coach Callahan. It's extremely frustrating and painful to watch them week after week.
Jim: I got this email around the third quarter. Glad it didn't go to the head coach.
Bill Holmes from Fairport, New York
Question: Happy to get the "W", Jim, without a doubt. I hope the winless monkey being shaken off their backs lets the team play with more confidence (although it's not like they haven't been fighting through the last play regardless of the score).
But let's be real here - Arizona lost that game more than we won it. Long run for a TD gets turned into no score and a touchback. Back-breaking interception turns into a fumble and a TD for us on the recovery. And even with these anomalies we eke out a one point win. We've lost so many games in this manner that winning one seems like karma. But we are still a rebuilding team who is going to lose a lot more games this year. I think maybe we can beat the Raiders and grab one of two against the Jags; maybe beat the Browns and Saints. 3-4 wins sounds realistic.
I like most of our rookie performances - Cam seems to have the right mindset, Dike is a great returner and Ayomanor will prove to be a steal. But we need to shore up the OL and DL through draft, trades and signings and buy Cam reasonable time to create and execute.
I guess no question this week, Jim. Just glad we won and hope everyone stays healthy and keeps playing more as a team as all the new guys get to learn each other's tendencies. We'll get there, but patience and smart management is needed.
Jim: Hey Bill. Thanks for chiming it and for following along.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Happy Monday Jim!! A win is a win and it's been a long time! I wish we could bottle up the energy each player had in the 4th qtr. You saw the tide turn, you felt the want to win. I hope they keep that energy because 1st-3rd qtr, this team was down. See you in Vegas!!! Be safe Jim and as always TITAN UP!!!!
Jim: Hey Jeremy! Give me a shout!
Have a great week everyone!
