NASHVILLE – The first half of Sunday's home opener for the Titans looked pretty good.
The second half, well, not so good.
The Titans dropped to 0-2 with a 33-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Once again, there's plenty to talk about.
Let's get right to it…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Devonte Reed from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: I wanna start with this: this rookie class has a lot to be excited about. I really love Cam Chim and Elic. I really believe they can become a really good core to this team. Now for the question, who's to blame for all the penalties and poor blocking along the offensive line? I know it's still early in the season but 23 penalties thru 2 games is unacceptable at any point. We have far too much invested along the OLine to be giving up so much pressure!! I understand this is a rebuild, but maybe Cally isn't the guy we think he is. So far thru 19 games his teams haven't shown the level of discipline as the teams led by the previous regime. Now having said that I do feel like some of it is just the zebras messing with the team. What are your thoughts on the matters and current state of this team?
Jim: You're right on the rookies, Devonte. I think all three of the guys you mentioned have shown plenty of promise, and guys like Gunnar Helm and Kevin Winston Jr. are going to be really good, too. So is Femi, who is really talented, but still learning. As for the penalties, it has to fall on the players, and the coaches. To have 23 penalties in two games is unacceptable, and it's one of the reasons the team is 0-2. I agree the o-line needs to be better as well. The Titans need JC Latham to get healthy, and they need the o-line group to settle in.
Ricky Foltz from Harrisburg, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim. Appreciate you letting us fans vent. I just an armchair analyst. I will say the play calling at the end of the first half the past two games have been horrendous. Against Denver, three pass plays inside your own ten yard line when you had no confidence in your QB early in game in scoring position. The game against LA, no pass attempts with 30 seconds left after the turnover. The O-Line is continuing to be the Achilles heel of this team. Sorry but this Father, Son duo won't be in Nashville next season.
Jim: Unfortunately, there's been a lot to vent about of late, huh? The end of the first half in Denver looked bad, and was bad. Just know things didn't exactly go as planned, because of a botched assignment on one play. I know fans didn't like the ending of the first half on Sunday, and I too would have liked to see the team be a little more aggressive in that situation. The team wasn't going to win the football game by kicking field goals. But, I also know what fans would have said if the Titans had been aggressive, and Cam had been sacked and fumbled, or if the team would have picked up a couple of holding calls, and moved out of field goal range. To score 10 straight points to close out the half should have given the team momentum going into the second half. But, as everyone saw, the good vibes disappeared quickly.
Michael Parker from Mount Olive, Mississippi
Question: Jim. I've been following you for a few years now, always tempted to send a message, but never quite found the right words. I wasn't going to pester you with questions I already knew the answers to, and I definitely wasn't going to add to the noise of negativity; there's enough of that in the world.
But today, writing to you from Mt. Olive, Mississippi, home of the late Steve McNair...I couldn't hold back. Sunday's game nearly brought him out of his grave. Watching Cam roll out to the right, hit that little skip step, and fire a strike into the end zone against the Rams...it was pure déjà vu. It was Steve, all over again, flashing back to that final drive of the Super Bowl when he found Dyson just short of glory.
The difference? Steve came up inches shy. Cam put that ball exactly where it had to be. And for a moment, it felt like the past and present collided.
Jim: I'm glad you decided to write in, Michael, and share this thought. I can see it. A real flashback. In some ways those McNair days seem like decades ago, and in other ways, they seem like yesterday. In the shadows of a new stadium being built, it was nice to get a reminder, huh?
Ryan Mumaw from Defiance, Ohio
Question: 2 games in now Jim.. my question is, who you think we're going to draft with our top 5 pick in the draft next year? Wr?? O-line? Best available at ANY position besides safety or QB?
I hope I'm wrong about where I see this season going, but it's not looking like it..
Brian Callahan does not have this team organized or ready from week to week; and i don't know if he, as a head coach, really every could.. we are not focused at all and our coaching is weak at best..
O line got worse somehow. Rookie receiver is still the best on the team.. can we give restrepo a damn chance PLEASE???
Last question Jim! Then I'll give you a break lol..
Dropped passes and sacks allowed, seem to be a major part of our offensive game planning. and I'm wondering if that's like a reverse psychology thing that Cally is doing, hoping pays off for punting stats, or most field goals ever kicked by a team? maybe it's his plan to highlight our only improved unit (special teams)? But could you please tell him that a competent, but, preferably GOOD offense, and some W's in that left column is all the fans really want. The rest of it is getting old way too fast! We have too many years of football PTSD for this Jim..
As always, thank you for your time and for being the main one that has to catch all the heat every week! I don't know what they would do without you! Haha
TITAN UP!
Jim: Appreciate you taking the time, Ryan. Draft questions already? I didn't think the game plan was bad for Sunday. The team ran the ball reasonably well, and Cam had chances to make plays. But this team ends up hurting itself with penalties and mistakes, and it makes things harder. Against good teams, these Titans need to play close to perfect to win, and they've been far from it. But let's face the reality: The Titans have lost back-to-back games against better teams. No one should be shocked this team is 0-2.
Landon Good from Toledo, Ohio
Question: How long? How long do we have to put up with this product? 1 TD in 2 games? Different year same results. How many games does it take to realize this coach cannot call plays? He also has lost this team. No discipline and sloppy play
It would be nice to get some actual insight on this concerning situation. I think the fans deserve better.
The owner should be ashamed of this product. Just have to hope and pray that Callahan doesn't ruin Ward, and the new coach next year can develop him.
I'm a Titans fan through and through, but man does this franchise make it tough on their fans.
Jim: Well, this season has 15 games left in it.
Connie Alinikoff from Hendersonville, Tennessee
Question: Hello Mr. Wyatt. Two positives from Sunday: the Titans finally scored a TD and the Chiefs are 0-2. This 75 y.o. great grandmother can't take another season like last year. I've removed "seeing the Titans win a Super bowl" from my bucket list & replacing it with "seeing the Titans have a winning season". Thanks for giving us an outlet for our frustration.
Jim: Hi Connie. Don't give up hope. You still have plenty of life left!
Tobias Hildesheim from Hamburg, Germany
Question: Hi Jim, after the game against the Rams, I sadly have to write again.
Let's start with something positive: Our rookies are great! Cam, Elic, Dike... they outshine a lot of our vets! Keep on going guys!
Our special teams unit is great as well, kudos to coach Fassel.
But we the fans have to critizise the coaching. Why are there still so many penalties? Why is the oline still so weak and can't protect our qb? And what about the playcalling. I don't want to jump on the fire-Cally-train. I'm sure he is a great guy and knows tons about pro-football. But his record as playcaller is abysmal. Let him be the head coach, but we need somebody with a plan and with some tricks up his sleeves to call the plays! At the moment, it's no challenge to beat us. The other teams outsmart us and know that they can even just wait till we shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties and conservative plays. This has to change!
Jim: The penalties are maddening, Tobias. I know you can see it over in Germany. The o-line needs to improve, that's obvious as well. And, I've heard from a lot of folks unhappy with the playcalling. A lot needs to get better.
Toperasu Chirandu from Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Question: We lost, but I am encouraged by the improvement from last week. Can you kindly ask the head coach to be more aggressive? We had a chance before the half to try to score. We opted for a three-pointer when we had enough time and momentum to punch the line. Why did the coach not attempt a touchdown? Remember, the attitude of a leader reflects in the team.
Jim: Hey Toperasu. I touched on this earlier with Ricky. I'm not sure the head coach would welcome coaching advice from me, tbh.
Bob Leonardi from Pittston, Pennsylvania
Question: Ok time to vent in 63 been a oiler/titan since I saw Billie white shoes johnson do his first touch down dance I've seen the good the bad and the ugly of this franchise im not gonna rattle on but here goes blame the coach blame the qb blame the line it comes down to this this. Team has no winning culture no one cares until we establish a winning culture last time we had a winning culture was under JEFF FISHER he didn't accept losing like this regime does so until we establish that all your gonna hear anymore is WITH THE FIRST PICK IN TVE DRAFT THE TITANS SELECT…
Jim: Hey Bob. You're exaggerating a bit. The Titans have had a winning culture more recently than the Jeff Fisher days. The Titans won the division in 2020 and 2021, and made the playoff three straight years from 2019-201. Unfortunately, it disappeared during the middle of the 2022 season. The question now is whether the current regime can rebuild it.
Jeffery Raney from Pittsburg, Texas
Question: Hey Jim I want to give a shout out to Cam Ward he looks very promising but at the same time I hope he finishes the season healthy because this o-line is terrible especially at the tackle position it's real bad. It appears like the Titans way over paid at tackle. The organization needs to look real close at their process of evaluating talent at this position. The receiver position seems promising as well and if we end the season with the number one pick which unfortunately appears to be a possibility please address the o-line and if they can fix this I think the Titans are going to be very competitive.
Jim: Thanks for weighing in, Jeffery.
Matt Montanaro from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Question: Hey Jim. The score looks ugly but I thought the game was closer than what the score indicates. That being said. I am growing concerned on a few fronts.
The number of penalties, bad ones, is definitely impacting this team and it is clearly a contributing factor to the two losses.
The offensive line is terrible. Dan Moore looked especially weak in this game.
I believe that Callahan and his coaching staff needed to be removed when Carthon was fired. The new management team should have been given the green light to build their own coaching staff. Callahan is 3-16 as a head coach and clearly he cannot fill that position adequately. I would hate to see a talent like Cam Ward go to waste due bad coaching. However, I am not sure a coaching change at this point would be the right route as there is nobody waiting in the wings that could be a viable choice and turn around the fortunes of this team quick step.
I guess as a diehard Titan fan, we wait it out again and hope for winning ways to shine upon us.
Thanks and have a great week Jim!
Jim: Appreciate you taking the time, Matt.
McKeeg Russell from Elkhart, Indiana
Question: Good morning, Jim
I swear there is a question in here.... Another game, another batch of "what was he thinking?" Moments from coach #firecallahan... I just cannot understand how he still has a job. This is 20 weeks, 19 games and we are seeing the same mistakes over and over. Team is undisciplined and getting penalties, operations issues are abundant, players unclear on assignments, play calling is baffling. He calls plays for FGs, not to win games, he didn't trust Levis everyone said, now he openly admits he's holding Ward back. He doesn't know rules. It's a lot... I cannot abide the continuity or "it takes time" mantras any longer. He should be fired today and we should beg Gruden or McCarthy to come in with an experienced hand to actually get the most out of this young team. Players have shown some serious potential and skill, but they are clearly being held back by coaching. ST looks so much better, D has had some solid play if inconsistent, Ward showed us while he is a rookie he has some fight and can make some amazing plays. The question.... same as last week... How long should we be willing as fans, how long should the players be willing to tolerate this subpar coaching display? Can we put a time on it or are we supposed to go through a whole new season with the same mistakes as week 1 last year and say "maybe it will get better". Luv Ya Blue!!!!!
Jim: Hey McKeeg. Let's keep it real here: I thought the team would be 0 and 2 at this point, and I think a lot of other folks did as well. Frankly, the team just isn't very good right now. Does that mean this team can't win games? No. But so far, the Titans have lost two games to teams more talented than they are. Yes, I know it's frustrating. The team has lost eight straight games going back to last season, and 16 of the last 19. The vibes around the fan base, and in here, aren't good. But I'm not anticipating any big changes in the first month of the season, so your best bet is to root for improvement. It's fair to expect the team to get better, and to clean up some of the mistakes. Again, this year's version of Titans are capable of winning games, and Sunday's game against the Colts provides another chance. But if you were expecting a complete turnaround this season, you probably had your hopes up to high. That's my opinion, and my opinion only.
Joe Arcudi from Merrimack, New Hampshire
Question: Jim, been sitting here for 30 minutes pondering everything that I want to say, but I have to admit at this point it just does not make sense. At this point we are just looking for moral victories and that is said. As you know I watch a lot of football and have been a fan of this franchise for 45+ years. We are in the middle of one of the worst stretches in along long time. There is very little to be encouraged about. I don't think Coach Vanillahan is getting us out of this mess. My only question at this point...we will have the number one pick again. I know, I know it's only been two weeks....but it does not take a rocket scientist to see this is a very bad football team with very questionable coaching at the top.
Jim: Hey Joe. Too early to make any predictions on the draft pick.
Steve Boswell from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question:
Hello Jim
From Texas
Longtime oilers and titan fan.
Always appreciate your input.
Unfortunately we're doing the same as last year
No protection for the Quarterback
6 sacks from Broncos & 5 sacks from the Rams
Poor Cam Ward.
The Titans organization should have drafted
At least two offensive Guards for protection.
Believe it's not going to get any better.
For temporary fix bring in 2 tight ends to block
Or get backup nose guard and big defensive back to block and protect Cam Ward
Otherwise the season is over.
Cause if the sacks continue at 5 or 6 per game
They will never win, Cam is sitting duck.
So next year number 1 pick offensive guard
2nd pick offensive guard
At least 6ft 5 300 pounds or 350
Needs some beef up front for protection.
Even Patrick mchomes could not do any better.
The coach cannot design any plays that work
If the Quarterback doesn't have time to look the field over and throw.
Please add protection for Cam he is our future.
Thank You Jim
God Bless
Jim: When I see this format, I always think this is going to be a poem, Steve. I thought you were maybe a poet and didn't know it.
Ryan Sadler from Greensburg, Kentucky
Question: Hey Jim. It feels like we can't quit shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties, drops and sacks. it's frustrating because our young quarterback is playing well and not turning the ball over and we are not doing him any favors by silly mistakes and play calling. My question is how do we get past it and try and salvage the season.
Jim: Great question, Ryan. It seems simple, but it sure hasn't been.
Pat Spray from Mason, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Frustrated, but not defeated. First, my observation. It seemed Cam was way more effective calling plays from the line. When receivers did get open Cam had to run for his life. When he had time in the pocket, receivers couldn't get space. Like I said, frustrating. All things considered, do you think the Titans should just play fast and let Cam call from the line?
Jim: Hey Pat. You'll see tempo, and you'll see the team huddle up and take its time. I expect to see a combination moving forward.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Great first half offensively. They moved the ball, had a good rhythm, Cam looked comfortable. Snead was just out played by Adams. That was a a lackluster performance by Snead. Two holding penalties, beat 4 times, I get he's getting back to 100%, that's on Callahan to know he is not ready for a whole game. Now gotta get ready for Indy. Have a great week Jim and as always TITAN UP!
Jim: Always good to hear from you, Jeremy. Hope the grilling has been good.
Richard Robles from Springfield, Tennessee
Question: Hi, Jim. I should have known that the Tight Ends Coach Luke Stocker and Special teams coordinator John Fassel are the ones to blame on this game.
We're suppose to win a game. The fans are suppose to care about winning. We need positivity going forward. We need a win. The referees are bad. We need to win a game.
We need a new rule for game interviews: The Titans needs the most interviews in during games and before and after the games.
The Titans need to win games with Cam Ward winning games.
The Titans needs to find a way to win. So WE NEED A WIN!
Jim: I don't know what a lot of this means, Richard. But it's provocative, it gets the people going.
Eli Decko from Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Question: I said it before and I'll say it again, Dan Moore is a horrible player. Most of the line is atrocious. Moving Skoronski to guard is still one of the biggest blunders this team has ever made from an offensive line standpoint. Only the Titans would move the best tackle in the country, when he was drafted, to guard, due to his "arm length''. Analytics continues to be a shot to the foot regarding team evaluation and game planning. Numbers and actions are different things, what the league does and what the Titans attempt to do are vastly different. 11 sacks and counting for Ward, which I previously stated, is going to ruin this kid like it ruined Mariota, Tannehill, Levis, and so many others. Offensive play calling is still very woeful. The best coaches tend to become self aware and check themselves and realize they hire coordinators for a reason. "Cally" doesn't have it in him to lead a group of men. The defense was not very good either. Like, what happened to them in the matter of 1 week that they looked like they have never played together before? In your 6 Things That Stood Out segment you said people expected the Titans would be 0-2, yet so many "professionals, had the Titans winning the AFC South. I may seem like a Debbie Downer, however, I've watched every single snap of every single game the Titans have ever played multiple times and I see their issues and continued issues before the team even lines up and I'm just a fan. The old phrase goes something like "If we don't learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it." I can say this, this guy right here has been spot on for some time now. This team is going to have serious problems for as long as toughness and smarts aren't part of the regiment. Call it Karma for doing Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin the way they did them, as far as botching surgeries and mismanagement of recovery, and making Skoronski a Guard but this team is doomed at tackle until they learn to listen. Thanks again Jim. Here's to 0-17 and hoping Jeremiah Smith decides he wants to go pro.
Jim: I know the team is giving you a lot of ammo, Eli. I am curious: Aside from Mike Tannenbaum, who are all the professionals who had the Titans winning the AFC South? I'll hang up and listen.
Cliff Stephens from Smyrna, Tennessee
Question: Good morning Jim. Hope this mail bag isn't just loaded with hate mail. I watched the game yesterday and I saw a lot of improvement over the Denver game. I know everyone wants a winning team but as long as I can see improvement week after week the wins will come. I just hope Mrs Amy and the powers to be are willing to ride this out. The penalties are still high or higher than they need to be but the coaches can only control so much then it's up to the players. I don't have a question but just wanted to share a patient perspective. Rome wasn't built in a day and a rebuild takes more theme than people want to give. Thanks again for listening
Jim: Well, it's loaded with a lot of pessimism, which you can see if you've made it this far. It is always interesting to me, the differences of opinions from those who want to fire everybody, and those preaching patience.
Gary Corley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Instead of focusing on negatives i am going to try to stay positive with this one(Try) but with the first two games out of the way I truly believe we have found our franchise quarterback and yes I know what we've been shown hasn't translated into a win yet but what I see is a guy that doesn't let the moment get to big no matter the situation and yes he missed some open guys but he is still a rookie going against veteran players and play callers so I'm excited about the future seems like defense took a step back but we got another turnover this week so that's back to back weeks special teams I believe is our most improved part of the football team besides quarterback position so I want to take the time to give them a shout out it's obvious we need JC back so I'm hoping on a update on when he will be ready to return. We knew this season was going to be rough so I think we should take the glass half full approach and find the positives when we can Thanks for listening and as always TITAN UP!!!!!
Jim: This was the most positive submission of the mailbag, Gary. Congrats!
Chuy Cano from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: They keep playing like this.......# 1 2026 draft pick here come!!!. Has there been a team to have back to back #1 picks? ;-(((
Jim: The Cleveland Browns in 2016 and 2017 … But it's too early to go down this road, Chuy.
Have a great weekend everyone!
