NASHVILLE – We're now just a week away from the NFL Draft.
A week from today, in fact, I'll be on my way to Pittsburgh.
I know Titans fans are ready.
Let's dive into another Titans mailbag while we wait, but not until we acknowledge what a great man the Titans, the NFL and the world lost in coach Dave McGinnis.
Coach Mac was a friend to many, including myself, and he'll be missed.
It has been amazing to see the outpouring of love shown to his memory since his death on Monday.
Here's the story I wrote about the life and death of Coach Mac, in case you missed it:
Rest in peace, Coach Mac.…
Here's the link to submit questions, and if you have a Coach Mac story, feel free to share for the weekend mailbag: CLICK HERE.
Trevor Hepburn from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Question: Hey Jim, there's never a day where I don't check in to see what's going on with the Tennessee Titans and it always begins with you and the information and quality of reporting that you bring. You have always done a phenomenal job.
That being said, here's the question that I hope you can dig and find an answer to lol.
I'm curious if Coach Daboll is going to be spending his time calling plays on the sidelines or up in the booth? In Buffalo I believe he was in the booth. I bet the new stadium will have a nice view overlooking the field from the booth but my guess is that he will be in the sidelines.
Jim: Appreciate you following, Trevor. And, thanks for the kind words.
Daboll hasn't said what he plans to do in Tennessee yet. In the past, he's functioned from both the sideline and the booth as offensive coordinator, saying it's a matter of "individual preference." He has also said he prefers to communicate directly with players on game days, and his presence on the field would allow him to have more conversations with QB Cam Ward and other offensive players. But Daboll has also acknowledged there are pros and cons for both. We'll have to wait and see what he decides. I'm betting he won't decide on this until August or September, but we'll see how things play out.
Patrick Sweeney from Roselle Park, New Jersey
Question: Hey Jim, I want to paint my back porch Titans blue. Does the new color have a specific name besides Titans blue? (I'll buy the beer if you want to help). Put me down for Arvell Reese if he falls to #4. Thanks. Luv ya Blue.
Jim: Hey Patrick. Well, you came to the right place, because I got your answer. I'm told you can find a match by using the pantone code: PMS 279C. If you're using Sherwin Williams, for example, you could probably use ChatGPT or Google to find a match, or ask someone at the store to help match that code. I don't have a great history with painting: I fell off a ladder painting back in 2007 and broke both my wrists and nose! I'd probably be safe on a porch, but I have a life-long excuse to get out of painting jobs! Good luck, and I'll put you down for Reese.
Eli Decko from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim. The draft is fast approaching and I'm sure you know my pick by now, Jeremiyah Love if anyone was wondering. In the event he is not there Carnell Tate would be my immediate #2 option. Defense is such a hard transition into the NFL, especially with these "hybrid" players like Reese and dude from A&M. I feel like making a trade to get a guy Saleh Drafted, on top of the kid from UCLA we got last year, and others in Free Agency, our defensive line had better be improved. I think Joey Bosa needs to come to Tennessee as well. He is much healthier now than he has been and him being a part timer could really optimize him on the field. Considering the team has openly talked about rotations and multiple fronts, it is a win to have him. Then we can push defensive end to later rounds. I think offense is the biggest need on this team. RB, Love is easily better than what we have. WR, I like Concepcion at Rd 2 Pick 3 or Center Logan Jones from Iowa. We whiffed on Linderbaum so we may as well go for a Big10 lineman and a Hawkeye at that. Round 3 should really be a WR if we go Center at 2 and Love in th3 first. I think Luther Vanderdoss is that guy from University of Toledo. He is only 5'8 or 5'9 but isn't Smith from the Eagles super tiny and a top WR? I just feel like, if this team and fans trult love their QB like they are proclaiming then building this man's offense his first 2-3 years is the most important and smart philosophy. Cam has a good one in Ayomanor. Helm will eventually be a true starter. But he has nothing outside of that. Dike needs to be strictly a returner. He is perfect for that role. Like Marc Mariani was and Mariani was a legend. WanDale will be decent as well, but he is not a #1. The Titans have a golden opportunity to make things right with the fan base and for the City it has under represented these past 3 years. You know I'm an OG fan and I look back at our few glory years and draw comparisons to those often, I see a possible turn coming, but only if they do what is smart. Ignore defense this draft. Go all in on offense. Prove to US, to Cam, to Nashville, and the NFL that you wanna score points and win games. Cuz more possessions means nothing if your punter is out there every 4th play.
Jim: Appreciate the feedback, Eli. I wouldn't say the Titans whiffed on Linderbaum, who had a say on his landing spot as well. I also think at some point you also have to decide whether you really want to pay a center $27 million a year, making him the highest paid center in league history. As for the pick, I hope the GM doesn't get into a habit of making decisions based on what fans want, or to "make things right with the fan base." Borgonzi was hired to make the best decisions based on his expertise and knowledge, not on what you or I or the majority of the fan base thinks. If that ends up being Love, it'll be because he thinks that's the best player at 4, not because a lot of fans want him. See ya in Pittsburgh.
Eli Patnesky from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: Hi Jim! I hope you're doing good. I don't have a question but an opinion. I really think we should go with Love at 4, I think Coach Saleh would really like a young, talented QB with an also talented young RB. We saw Saleh do it with CMC and Brock Purdy back in San Francisco. I just think this idea is a good one but obviously the scouts know what they're doing and they will make the good decision. Have a good week and TITAN UP
Jim: Back-to-back Elis from Pennsylvania! What are the odds? A lot of fans are on board with his Love pick.
Juan Bueso from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, so for the draft, do you think Jeremiyah Love is the better option? I mean so far for rbs we've had good luck I mean look at Derrick Henry, the guys a beast, and Jeremiyah Love could be even better mixed with Cam Ward, now im not saying Bailey or Rueben Bain arent bad options but what this team needs is a good attack offense yk an offense that can let Cam get the ball off his hands fast and smartly, and Love would be perfect for this, which is also why we should target Wr's, our defense is good as of now with Simmons leading the line and our free agency and im sure coach Saleh will whip them into form in no time
Jim: Hi Juan. I want to see who is there at 4 before locking in on anyone. I haven't tried to hide the fact that I like Love. It's not outside the realm of possibility he's not even there at 4.
Scott Johnson from Greensburg, Indiana
Question: What do you think we should do with our 1st round pick? I feel we need to help Cam - either by drafting him someone to get open down field or an offense lineman to help protect him. Or, do we trade our first pick for multiple later round picks and try to draft both?
Jim: Hey Scott. I'm going to lean on what I responded to Juan – I need to see who is there at 4. I like Love, but what if he is gone? I don't hate the idea of a trade, depending on what transpires on picks 1 through 3. It's going to be interesting…
Simon Pipkin from Bradenton, Florida
Question: Hi Jim. First off, this offseason and current FA period has me more excited about an upcoming season than I have been in a few years. I have a question about the current Nissan Stadium. Will fans have the opportunity to bid or purchase items and memorabilia from the stadium prior to it being demolished?
Jim: This is a good question, and the answer I think is TBD. A lot of folks ask me about the stadium seats, and whether they could somehow remove them after the 2026 regular season finale. Depending on the schedule, the Music City Bowl could be after the team's last home game this season. And, what if the Titans are hosting a playoff game, or the AFC Championship Game, in January 2027? Hey, there's always a chance. … Stay tuned on all this but I know folks in the building are discussing all these things.
Have a great week everyone!
