NASHVILLE – The Titans keep signing players.
And, Titans fans keep chiming in about the new uniforms.
I'm here for all of it.
Let's open up another mailbag and discuss…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Clint Richie from Medford, Oregon
Question: Hey, Jim. I read your response in the Weekend Mailbag to the fan who wrote a lengthy email about the uniforms not being meaningful to him since he had no connection to the Oiler days. I myself grew up near Houston as a diehard Oilers fan. I agonized as a 14-year old as they coughed up that playoff game to Buffalo (I still can't stand the Bills to this day). I followed the team as they moved to Tennessee and, obviously, still do. To me, these new uniforms are bringing back so much nostalgia, I can't help but love them.
I completely understand fans who have only known them as the Titans and want something that is unique to Nashville and Tennessee. All I can say is, these are the best uniforms in sports, and I can't wait to see them in action each week. My inner 14-year old self looks forward to the day I see those uniforms being worn by a Super Bowl team (that hopefully beat Buffalo along the way). Thanks, Jim, and keep up the good work.
Jim: Thanks for reading, and writing in, Clint.
Jordan Jones from Wilmington, Delaware
Question: I appreciate what you do. No question just sharing my thoughts. I have been a fan since I was 8 years old nearly 27 years ago. Being from Delaware like a lot of Titans fans outside of Tennessee, I was the only Titans fan I knew. Since then, we've had some rough years throughout (but some good ones in between). In recent memory none more painful than Patrick Mahomes's 27-yard touchdown run before the half in the AFC Championship game or sacking Joe Burrow 9 times and losing in the Divisional round. I was at the game where Josh Dobbs DIDN'T fumble that would of won the division and sent us to the playoffs. That was the last game before we started our spiral. With that being said I love the new rebrand with the new stadium coming next year. The jerseys are clean but I also can see where some fans are coming from. It's bittersweet not seeing the two tone blue and flame anymore. The Titans have a long history of great RBs (EC, EG, CJ, DH) and it would be icing on the cake and the ultimate way to pay homage than for the NFL's greatest franchise at producing RBs to draft another great RB (potentially) Jeremiyah Love (although I like Pollard and Spears). If he is still on the board drafting him 30 years later after drafting one of our franchise legends Eddie George to pair with Cam Ward who the team drafted 30 years after Steve McNair (all 1st rounders). Wishful thinking. Thanks for listening TITAN UP!!!
Jim: Thanks for chiming in, Jordan, and appreciate the comments.
And, I've said before in here, I'm a big fan of Jeremiyah Love. He's a game changer for sure. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi and Co. have to figure out whether there's somebody better when that first round pick comes around.
Rod Peckett from Rockhampton, Qld Australia
Question: Hi Jim. I really respected the comment from Jordan from Denver in the last mailbag about his support of The Titans and how through his upbringing he doesn't have that affiliation with The Oilers side of the Titans story, which makes this rebranding hard to follow or get on board with.
I get it Jordan, I really do.
That feeling is exactly the feeling I had when the the Oilers moved to Tennessee. You see I'm close to 60, fell in love with The Oilers and the Columbia blue roughly 50 years ago. I struggled, no I hated, the move to Tennessee. I remained on board however as the uniforms were the same and the team was called the Tennessee Oilers. Then it was decided to rebrand and move away from the Columbia blue to Navy blue and I felt like the identity of the team was gone and they were no longer my team. I still supported them though but got giddy like a school kid whenever a throwback Oilers uniform was trotted out.
The point I'm trying to make is that The Oilers had 39 years of history - and in my opinion had the best uniforms ever worn in the NFL. This seems like the right time. New stadium, new coach, new era and old colours.
Hopefully the new stadium will become our Tennessee House of Pain for visiting teams and winning will make you truly embrace that part of our history that you never got to experience.
Thanks Jim as always - haven't felt this optimistic about an upcoming season for a long time. Titans up and love ya blue - Titans and Oilers forever.
Jim: G'day, Rod. Love hearing these stories. Thanks for taking the time.
Tom Montesion from Roseland, New Jersey
Question: Hey Jim. Been a bit since I've written in last. Hope all is good with you & yours. As always thanks for always keeping us fans, especially outside of Tenn. up to date on all things Titans. Lot of excitement around the team for a change. New coaching staff, lot of new players, #4 draft pick. And of course the rebrand which is the basis for My questions: I've been a a since the love ya blue days in 72' so of course I love the look but It looks like there are more fans that dislike the new look being so close to the Oilers & the move away from the two tone blue / Athens of the south identity than like it? Is that accurate or do you see otherwise? Just curious, did the franchise conduct any kind of "test the waters" research with Liam Fan opinion so to speak before deciding on all of this? Here's to a new chapter. Being on the draft. Stay well Jim
Jim: Hi Tom. As more time passes, it's very clear to me more fans like it than dislike it. I'm basing that on the comments I get in here, and on social media. Make no mistake, I know there are fans who are not on board with the change. I've heard from them, too. But most of the feedback I've received has been positive. As for "testing the waters," the organization did a bunch of research, fan surveys, etc. This is a project that was years in the making.
Raymond Farrar from St. Louis, Missouri
Question: Hey Jim! So, anything interesting happening with the Titans lately? JK. Talk about a major overhaul! New uniforms, new players, Chig, Sneed, Jefferson, Joseph-Day all gone! And we still have the draft to look forward to! I haven't been this excited about the Titans in a long while. Yes, I know they haven't played any games yet, let alone OTAs or mini camp. But you gotta feel good about the attempts that are being made, right?
Jim: Hey Raymond. So far, the team has signed 14 players and traded for two others. The roster is changing. I like the moves, no doubt. But in time, these guys are going to have to prove themselves, and prove the GM right.
Cheyenne Brigance from Arlington, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Hope you've had a little down time to rest! Wanted to say two things, first, Love the new uniforms and second, someone please tell all the moronic Houston people that Mr. Adams would have never left their precious city if said city would have approved a new stadium!!!!! So let all of them keep whining and crying ! LOL... Titan Up Let's Go
Jim: Hi Cheyenne!
Nick Price from Spencer, South Dakota
Question: Just wanted to say I love the new uniforms! I'd watch the games just to see them, regardless of how they play! Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Nick. South Dakota in the house!
Reuben Alvear II from San Francisco, California
Question: Hi, Jim. A few weeks ago I told a friend of mine that this next head coaching hire for the Titans is very important. I hope that Robert Saleh does well. I do like the hiring of Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator.
And in college basketball my beloved Arkansas Razorbacks currently have bragging rights over Vanderbilt for SEC supremacy ;-)
Jim: I think this real purpose of this email was to rub in the Arkansas win ☹ … Congrats on your Razorbacks, Reuben.
Chase Wood from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. Hope all is well. Always enjoy reading these each week, but this is my first time making a submission. Do you think there will be any other starters acquired in free agency this offseason? Center and offensive guard seem my top concerns. I am sure they want Zeitler back.
Jim: I think signing another guard is still in play. Cordell Volson was signed, and he's a contender – he was a three-year starter for the Bengals before sitting out last year after shoulder surgery. But I expect him to have competition from others, including Jackson Slater, who has worked at guard and center since being drafted. I get the sense Austin Schlottman has the inside track to win the center job, but he'll also have to earn it.
Brian Spotloe from Proctorville, Ohio
Question: Hello Jim, thank you for reading my comment. I say comment because I realize this is a forum for questions typically, but I'd just like to make a point if I could. There's obviously been a lot of debate and concerns over the new uniforms. I don't understand why Tennesseans are so prideful. They were given an NFL team which they seemed to want, and immediately scoff at the idea because it reminds them that the team used to play somewhere else. This doesn't seem to be a problem in other cities around the country in similar situations. St. Louis loved the Rams before they moved again, we know Indy embraced the Colts, etc. These teams were not pressured into changing their identity to help erase the memories of their pasts. Why can't Nashville just be greatful that they got a team? As far as the uniform change, the overwhelming popularity of the Oilers throwbacks is what inspired Amy to make this change. She likely feels that the original hesitation to support the team if name wasn't changed, was a thing of the past. I was an Oilers fan originally, though not from Houston. I did travel there to see them play in the Astrodome and also watched many games closer to my home in Cincy and Cleveland. The move in '97 was hard to fathom, and then the name change was even harder. However, I stuck with the team and tried to get used to the new identity of "my" team. This Oilers like refresh is a Godsend to fans like me, it reminds me of my youth and the original identity of my team. I just wish all Titans fans could accept the team, regardless of how they look or what the history is. Thanks to Amy for the nostalgia and beautiful uniforms, and to you as well Jim for reading my comment.
Jim: Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brian.
Gregg Kushel from Jacksonville, Florida
Question: Love the way our free agency period has gone so far. Any idea where they might go in the draft? Looks like we still need lots of weapons on offense. Hoping we get Love.
Jim: Still hard to say. I'm thinking edge or running back, but will have no say on this (except for what's in here 😊).
Have a great week everyone!
