NASHVILLE – The Titans didn't have much luck in Vegas on Sunday.
Then on Monday, the franchise parted ways with head coach Brian Callahan.
Yes, it's been an eventful 24 hours in Titan land.
It's no surprise the mailbag is overflowing …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Maximus Freebird from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. I have no question I just want to ask you to please thank Mike Borgonzi, Chad Brinker and Miss Amy for doing what needed to be done. Thank you from a die hard Tennessee Titans fan since May 18, 1995-the day we had the PSL vote to get the Oilers from Houston. I would also like to ask if you would please implore them to take their time with the new coaching hire. Everyone knows how hard this town rocks when things are going well for our teams and we true die hard fans are bursting at the seams to show the NFL who has the best and loudest fans in the NFL. It's time we get back to the days of Adelphia Coliseum when you couldn't hear yourself think! Thank y'all for moving on from a disaster and not making us suffer another week of complete ineptitude. I do feel sorry for whomever is coaching this Sunday (I'm assuming it will be an interim situation) because I have zero doubts Vrabel is getting his guys ready to absolutely destroy us. His defense is undoubtedly licking their chops knowing Cam might be hitting the turf an NFL record amount of times this weekend, I sure hope not for Cam's sake. Regardless this is the brightest day we as Titans fans have seen in a couple of years. Thanks for reading and I hope your day is well and you and yours are also well. Cheers!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Maximus. And, you can be sure they'll do their due diligence in finding the next head coach. For now, it's Mike McCoy as the interim. He's scheduled to hold a press conference at 1 p.m. today. I saw some folks speculate yesterday that the team fired Callahan without having a plan for who the interim coach would be. I can tell you this is 100 percent false.
Ryan Mumaw from NW, Ohio
Question: Tried to give Cally a chance, but I'm glad we're moving forward.. hopefully Mike B. gets to play a big part in the hiring process for our next leader of men. He seems to have a really good sense of what it takes for an organization to win; from top to bottom. He seems to have earned a lot of respect from a lot of people around the league over the years. Also, so far his first draft seems to be very very solid. So, i guess what I'm saying is, I'm optimistic; but as a titans fan, and knowing the way Miss Amy runs this organization, I'm also very leery. We shall see either way.
My question is, do you honestly believe we keep big Jeff after this year? Or do we continue to secure the #1 pick again this year, trade the pick and trade Jeff as well for a ton of draft capital? I mean, he is on pace for a elite level season for an interior D-Lineman and I believe after this year, will be the highest his value will reach through his career. I think it would be smart to trade him and trade our 'almost guaranteed' #1 overall pick, and load up for drafting young talent. As always Jim, thank you and TITAN UP!!
Jim: Hey Ryan. The organization has clearly made some bad decisions, which is why we're here. If Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker don't get the next head coach hire right, then their jobs will probably be on the line. That's the business of the NFL. As for Jeffery Simmons, I wouldn't trade him. There are no guarantees in the draft. Jeffery Simmons is a sure thing, guaranteed to bust his ass every practice, and every game.
Scott Daniels from Satellite Beach, Virginia
Question: Hey Jim. Hope this message finds you well, I've written in a few times over the years, love the way you handle the job and the cranky folks.
I really am not surprised that time ran out on Cally, although I was hoping he could adjust and pull it all together, because it certainly isn't all his fault, but he was the "head honcho" so bang, your out! Seemed like a great dude.
I felt there was a connection with him and Cam that would aid his development, but having all this shock and awe and the mental trauma of the players knowing they added to him getting canned could linger. I hope not, I hope it's a wake up call to many undisciplined actions on the field.
Many wanted his head, many called for his firing over and over, but he really did nothing behind the scenes that indicated he could fix the issues because on Sundays it was the same old story.
It's painful to start over, but it can lead to good things if the players understand the what and why they need to do better, in order to aid this rebuild. You know they say it's tough to play in NY, but damn. There are many critics and writers and fans that are so called Titans that are ruthless and unforgiving! Welcome to Nashville new coach whoever you may be and staff, it won't be easy to gain favor unless you WIN!
Ok my question, Jim, Since Cam is young and such a talented thrower & player, yet raw and sometimes undisciplined do you think our offseason coach search should be an older veteran coach CEO type or a young successful coordinator who will take him into the future and build a system around him ? (I understand we need to add talent around him to help, because the pool is shallow now) I really like what the Colts coach has done with Daniel Jones, so many boots and roll outs killed us and others, because the opponent can't tee off with their rushers. I feel sure Cam can use his athleticism to show us much more that what they are calling. As always thanks for all that you do, peace be with you all
Jim: I appreciate it, Scott. It's a results-based league, and 4-19 led the team to the decision on Brian, just like 6-18 contributed to Mike Vrabel being replaced. It's hard for me to say who the right fit might be for Cam moving forward, because I don't know who all the candidates will be. Mike McCoy now has his chance as the interim head coach. After that, it's going to be a process in finding the next guy. I agree the new coach needs to be able to develop Cam, but this is a team thing. The coach has to be able to guide the entire team, and get results. I went through this when Mike Mularkey replaced Ken Whisenhunt, so I know what in-season coaching changes look like. It's hard to believe it's October 14, 2025, and we're already talking about 2026, but that's where we are right now.
Jeremy Strickland from Covington, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, hope all is well. There should be a different energy in here this week, I'm sure all the Callahan haters are happy. My question is do you think the players stopped buying in to what Callahan was trying to do? I read somewhere that Simmons said they had a bad week of practice. Just curious what your opinion is of how the players feel about this situation.
Jim: Hey Jeremy. Coach Callahan wasn't getting the job done, and the record speaks to that. But firing him shouldn't necessarily get everyone else off the hook for 1-5. After the game, Simmons did say the team had a bad practice on Thursday. For those who follow the team closely, you know Simmons talked about this last Thursday – after the practice in question. But is that all on the coaches? I think not. These players are getting paid pretty well themselves. So, in my opinion, everyone deserves some blame for this.
Joni Daniels from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: I just heard the news about Brian Callahan. It seems like this team has been in constant turmoil since before Callahan got here. I won't say that I'm knowledgeable enough to say that this was the right decision or not. I firmly believe that I am not the only Titans PSL/Season ticket holder that feels this way. My opinion (not that it matters) is that management often doesn't have a clue or the patience to know what's best for this team. Whether the coach would have been successful or not had not been determined but the owner decided she didn't have the patience to wait it out. This is a young team that was still rebuilding.
Jim: Thanks for weighing in, Joni.
Joe Arcudi from Merrimack, New Hampshire
Question: Boy Jim -- just one of the worst offensive teams I have ever seen. The Raiders are not a very good defense and the Titans made them look like the 85 Bears. At this point you just want to see some progress, but this is just painful to watch. Outside of a complete collapse and gift from Arizona.....I think this team could have gone 0-17. Revolving door Moore and Lathom could not block a 12 year old girl.
The one thing I REALLY hope I am wrong about is Jaxson Dart. Months before the draft I wanted the Titans to trade back and get some picks and then take Dart. I thought then he was going to be a better NFL QB and I still think so. I just hope I am wrong. The real question to ask at this point Jim --- is Brian Vanillahan going to survive the bye week? I personally doubt it!
Jim: Hey Joe. It was bad, there's no getting around it. I've seen a lot of chatter from folks praising Dart, and dogging Cam. If you want to base it off one week, yeah, I get where they're coming from. But six games into their rookie years is way too early to make a definitive statement on either one. Dart looked great Thursday night, and Cam played poorly on Sunday. But let's give it more time.
Wes White from Montana
Question: Hey Jim.. howdy from the great white north! It's been a while since I've been moved enough to chime in on the status of our team. Losing or not, I'm a Titans fan now until I can't say the word football anymore :-) (Hopefully that's a few years down the road ) Thats what being a fan is right.. for better or worse, til death do us part(?) something like that anyway.
I could rag on everything that's happening on the field right now but that's the easy part.
I've had the fortune and misfortune of being a part of a great organization and team that was great until it wasn't. After 22 years I figured out that when things get weird, go south and stay south for a long time, decisions are being made on a daily basis by management/leaders and OWNERS that dont make sense to anyone anymore. At that point its time for the previously mentioned to do a serious self assessment of why they are doing the job they are doing and if it makes them happy and they do it out of passion for the business and the people that depend on them to be leaders or if it just makes them money. And in some case A LOT of money regardless of the quality of work they are putting out into the world.
I feel thats where the Titans organization is at present. Serious self reflection needs to be taking place. And for the good people of Tennessee I hope the right decisions are made sooner than later to justify a 2 billion dollar + burden they inherited to showcase the dysfunctional family its become.
As always, cheers! And keep up the good fight my friend
Jim: Hey Wes. Montana, huh? What a beautiful place. It took me way too long to discover the beauty there, and now I want to keep going back. Well, it's been a mess of late, there's no doubt about it. In some ways it seems like decades ago since 2021, when the team was the No.1 seed in the AFC South, and a contender. The franchise was in the AFC Championship Game a few years before that. The reality is it was just a few years ago. The past 3 ½ seasons have just felt loooooooong. Believe me, the decision makers around here want to win. Decisions have been made to try and change things, including the decision to part ways with Brian Callahan. Now, have the right decisions been made? That's certainly fair to question because obviously some of the hirings/firings haven't worked, and the team is preparing to start over at head coach once again. In both Arizona and Las Vegas, I saw a ton of Titans fans at the games, and I continue to be impressed by their passion, and their loyalty. They're supporting the team during the worst of times. I see them in here on a regular basis. I know fans are frustrated, and they deserve better. I can't make any promises on how long it's going to take to get this franchise back to relevancy again. But be sure no one around here is happy with the state the team is in right now.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! A couple positives from this weekend:
The Road Rally at Ole Red was a very well run event on Saturday. I especially loved catching up with one of my all time favorite Titans---Jurrell Casey, while enjoying camaraderie with plenty of other die hards.
Also, This was perhaps the best showing I've ever seen from us as a fanbase at a road game. It was great to see so much two tone blue in the stands.
The negatives:
Everything else. Going to be a tough year if we can't find a spark.
Jim: Hey Joe. Hope all is well. Sorry I missed the Road Rally – I heard the turnout was great. I ended up going to see the Eagles at The Sphere on Saturday night. It was outstanding btw. I did see Jurrell on the sideline in pregame on Sunday. But you're right, it was a bad game for the Titans, in what is shaping up as another bad year. I give credit to the fans who continue to show up and support the team, because I know it's not a cool, or fun, thing to do right now.
Richard Rodriguez from Miami, Florida
Question: More of a few observations than questions. Things that are less painful than watching a Titans game: having all of your teeth pulled with a pair of pliers and without novocaine, a proctologist exam, stubbing your big toe on a rock without wearing shoes, and nails on a chalkboard for 45 minutes straight. I think now we can admit that the Titans cannot win a game unless the other team collapses in historic fashion in a way never before seen in NFL history.
Jim: I'd take the nails on a chalkboard over all the others. It's not painful, just irritating.
Mike Petroka from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Back to life. Back to reality. Another Titans loss.
My question. Are there ever interviews with the other team's players and coaches and ask what weakness they see with our team?
I think they would be able to give some valuable information. Is coaching weak? Are the plays predictable? Are players just aren't talented enough? Is the offensive line weak? I mean, what are they scheming for the game. It would be interesting to see what they are seeing on film and during the game.
Titan up!!
Jim: Have you been listening to Soul II Soul, Mike?
Brock Martin from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Question: Wow this team needs a complete overhaul. This has become embarrassing to be a lifelong fan.
We need new ownership, coaches, players and a senior writer. Coach would struggle with a high school team. Shows we are desperate. I hope they have other plans for the new building besides Toilet tank Titans .
Jim: And I thought Canadians were supposed to be nice…
Ben Wright from Auburn, Kentucky
Question: Since the day it happened, I've been telling everyone who would listen that firing Mike Vrabel was a huge mistake. Nearly two years later, I'm more convicted about it than I've ever been. Callahan was brought in to fix the offense, and in his second year the Titans have six touchdowns in six games. At least half of those scores have been either garbage time or complete luck. I've been a Titans fan my whole life, and this has been the most consistently poor offense I've seen them play. And the Callahan Titans don't just lose - they get blown out. I've left the stadium or turned off the game earlier this year than ever before. The Titans have gotten worse in just about every area under his leadership - most notably in the areas he was specifically hired to fix.
Meanwhile, boring, stubborn, old-school Vrabel, the coach we had no use for anymore, has the same number of wins (4) in six games with the Patriots, as Callahan has in 23 games with the Titans. Vrabel is doing this with a team that won four games last year and still has holes all over the roster. While the Titans are making the lowly Raiders look like world beaters, our former coach is beating the then-undefeated Bills in primetime as a big underdog. It's hard for me to understand how anyone can look at the state of things today and feel like the Titans made the right call in January 2024.
I know all the rebuttals - the Titans lost 18 of his last 24 games, and the 2022 and 2023 versions of the Titans weren't great. Those teams were in salary cap jail, had several expensive, aging veterans, and had very few young draft picks contributing meaningfully. Getting those teams to seven and six wins, respectively, plus remaining competitive in most of their losses over those two years, took better coaching than I think we realized at the time. This current staff would be the worst team in the league with either of those rosters, just like they have been in 2024 and 2025. I think Vrabel masked some of the problems with the roster and the organization, and firing him allowed everything to unravel. The Titans weren't a new coach away from getting better - they were a new coach away from the house of cards across the entire organization falling in on itself.
I've rooted for the Titans in every game for 20+ years, but I'd be lying if I said I won't be rooting for some poetic justice this Sunday (with) Mike Vrabel … sprinting to the tunnel to meet his players as they head to the locker room, would be the perfect visual to summarize the last two years of ineptitude around all things Titans football. This season ticket holder isn't going to waste his time making the trip, but I'll be tuned in about 3:00 pm to see coach Vrabel pick up his new favorite win at Nissan Stadium.
P.S. - If the organization can't give us a competitive team, can they at least make the season ticket member discount work at the concession stand? Like most things connected with the Titans, it's been a mess for a second year in a row. 25% off my soda and pretzel seems like the least they could do for making us watch this football team every week.
Jim: Hey Ben. I must admit, until today I didn't know there was an Auburn in Kentucky, and I should have, because I used to take my dad to Franklin, Kentucky, so he could place bets on the horse races at Franklin Downs, formerly Duelings Grounds. When my kids were younger, we'd sometimes make the trip up and go to the drive-in movie theater there, and I know that's only about 15 miles down the road. I know you're not alone with your feelings about Vrabel, and how that whole situation played out. I hear it from a lot of fans. I always tell people just because it didn't work with Callahan doesn't mean the decision to part ways with Vrabel was the wrong decision. I liked Vrabel myself, and think he's a good coach. But, as you said yourself, the Titans lost 18 of 24 games under his watch, and things were going in the wrong direction. Unfortunately for Titans fans, they still are. Now the important thing is to get it right moving forward.
Jack Walker from Calabasas, California
Question: Hey Jim, at this point I just don't know what to say or how to react. The team is just bad.
I actually wrote another couple paragraphs but deleted them, don't want to tee off on you. It's not your fault . Bad GM, bad HC, bad draft and I hope Jeffery Simmons is traded to a contender.
Jim: Heck Jack, if you write it, send it.
Brian Garvey from Charlotte, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim. Just watched the press coverage and I'm disappointed by the media's questions. It's no secret, the fans, media & arguably some of the players (speculation) wanted Callahan fired for under performance. Upper Management seemed to listen and agree so they made the decision. Great news!
I am disappointed by the media not pivoting to supporting the team entrusted in building a winning roster. We had better draft in 2024 than the previous 5 drafts which shows scouting has improved. Our rookies are showing a lot of promise and grit which is really all you can ask for.
I'm disappointed by the press conference because they did not convince me there is a specific vision for this team. They mentioned things like "not good enough", "growth as a team", "knowing where this roster was at". Imagine being a player and hearing the people in charge say they do not believe in you.
I guess my question is this: Hey Jim, could you provide insight on the type of talent, prospects, free agents they want to put together? How do they define "growth" in a roster?
I understand he cant say "Well we're so excited to target "WR Name" in free agency" but can he let us know the vision for the offense? Does he want to Cam in a more pass heavy offense like college where short game is key to set up run game then play action? Does he envision the Titans as a defense first team who does enough on offense to ensure our pass rush can tee off on QB's who have to pass in late game situations? Any specific insight you have learned from previous conversations or comments I may have missed during the recent negative media coverage.
Lifelong Titans just wanting something to be excited for. Thank you as always & I'll hang up and listen!
Jim: Hey Brian. I'll answer this the best I can, based on my experience working on the outside, and now inside, with the team. The media is not going to pivot to support the team because they're not "fans of the team." A reporter's job is to be objective, not root for the team they cover. As for upper management, I don't think this was a press conference where they're trying to sell anything to the fan base. A head coach was fired, the team has lost 19 of 23 games over the past two seasons, and no one wants to hear any more excuses, or vision statements. Right now, it's about making the best of a bad situation, and then getting things right with the next head coach moving forward. If you need a reason to believe, look at this year's draft class and it should give you some hope. Borgonzi and Brinker have a vision, and they can implement it with the next head coach. But until we know who that coach is, it's too early to for all this other speculation. Also, we still have 11 games left in the 2025 season.
Dick Clodfelter from Bell Buckle, Tennessee
Question: Love your Mailbag, Jim. Best part of this season, so far, anyway. No question this time, just a silly suggestion. Maybe just get the whole team (coaches AND players) to approach the entire game starting from the opening kickoff as if it's already the 4th quarter when it seems the Titans play their best, such as that might be. Okay, a question. Are Cam's hands small? Keep up the good work, Jim, and thanks for all you do for us frustrated fans. Cheers from Bell Buckle. Gotta be better times ahead . . . sometime, I hope.
Jim: Thanks for reading, Dick. I get what you're implying and yes, Cam definitely needs to do a better job of holding onto the football.
Chuy Cano from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: Yea....use the momentum from last weeks win....was a win by luck and by mistakes from cards. I turned off the game 2nd quarter....started to watch Gremlins on tv.....they have it more together when they were throwing a rampage at the theater. That jc Latham guy cannot block and that o-line is just terrible. Raiders o-line seemed the same....its like the titans were looming n2 a mirror. Simmons had some great sacks....but so did Crosby. Like I said in the other mailbags.....Breaking news....Titans head coach fired!......andddddd Titans get 1st round pick.....again. Luv ya blue.
Jim: Good to hear from you again, Chuy.
Reuben Alvear II from San Francisco, California
Question: Regarding Sunday's disappointing and embarrassing loss to the Raiders I agree with you that not all of the Titans' offensive woes can be solely pinned on Cam Ward. One example being the 3rd-and-7 the two-tone blue had from their own 12-yard line, with about six minutes left in the 1st half. The Raiders sent a rabid dog of a free rusher who went absolutely untouched and full speed at our QB, and he nearly took Ward's face off. When that happens, one can pretty much predict that the result won't be good. Unsurprisingly, Ward coughed up the football. Yet, I put that giveaway on the O-line because they have to be much better at protecting the QB.
I also had concerns about the play of J.C. Latham v the Raiders. Latham has had some good moments for the Titans when he's shown some drive, tenacity and nice finish. Yet, at times on Sunday #55 looked out of sorts. I know that Maxx Crosby is a stud defender who has had his way with other O-linemen. And I realize that Latham missed the previous four games. Yet, on more than one occasion Crosby blew by Latham way too easily.
Jim: I hear ya, Reuben. See ya in December.
George Steiner from Jackson, Mississippi
Question: I have to say Jim, I brought my hopes up for this game and was starting to think this team could turn a corner. Should've known better. Real frustrating when your precious oline that is made up of "prized" offseason acquisitions and first round draft picks and they can't block my 78 year old grandpa. Latham got totally worked, albeit against a star player. And I am still disappointed with the coaching. Just nothing being provided by the coaching staff and the play calling isn't working. I think cam has room to grow but has potential. I could see him being a Mayfield though and succeeding with another team as has been the trend. That will happen unless this team gets it together.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, George.
Michael Miles Sr. from LaVergne, Tennessee
Question: Jim, thank you for the great job you do. This is not going to be a complaint or ne bitching. Why is it that our pass defense is so weak? The teams we play seem to get a 5-8-10 yard open pass and when we are on offense we have problems getting a screen pass completion. It always loooks like the other teams play closer to the line than we do. Is this the way our DC has planned and just does not think playing close to the line is good. Also what do we have to do to play better on the offensive line. It hurts to keep seeing an L at the end of the game but we will keep watching. We have already got our PSL for the new stadium. Thanks Jim and we will watch the next game also.
Jim: Hey Michael. I'm not going to pile on the defense, because that unit has hardly been the problem. Has the defense been perfect? No, but they've needed to play like it because of the consistently underperforming offense. As for the o-line, it was starting to play better. JC Latham's poor performance was disappointing for sure, but he wasn't the only one.
Landon Good from Toledo, Ohio
Question: We are so used to negativity in this chat. Let me bring some positive. I was actually so fulfilled at half, that I turned the game off.
Can we take some time to thank the following?
1) Offensive play calling. The creativity was very impressive. 3 runs to start the game. Then 2 screens?? I love it. Set the tone early
2) the 2 minute drill. We must have practiced that all week to execute like that drive
3) Dan MF Moore. What a signing. Thank you to our GM for that. He will be an anchor for years to come
4) coach callahan. Wow. What a coach. I could see him him being here for the next 10 years. I've seen nothing but growth from him. He really has these guys bought in and disciplined.
Can we please keep Callahan around? 21 games of suck is not enough to tell. We need at least this season and next to see.
Please pass this to the other fans, as I want them to see the same silver lining I am.
Jim: Well, your last name is Good… Sorry you didn't get your wish on Callahan.
James Beam from California
Question: Lifer out here in SoCal. While I realize it takes time to turn a franchise around, we are making no progress towards anything that resembles quality football. FIRE EVERYONE!
Jim: I can't endorse this, because it would include me. But thanks for writing in. I used to drink a whole lot of your bourbon back in college btw.
Mike Knecht from Highland, New York
Question: Hey Jim. Hope you are well. Thank you for keeping everyone in Titans Nation informed. No question, just a comment. I wrote in a couple of weeks ago, and sent my condolences for your dad. After the loss at Houston, my mom passed. When we got our first win at Arizona, I was happy, but in a solemn way. Just put everything in perspective. It's just a game, and there are more important things in life. If you have a chance, see if you can ask Calvin Ridley to point both index fingers to the sky if he scores a TD this season. It would be a great jester for you, me, and anyone else in Titans Nation that have lost loved ones. Sorry to be such a downer.
Jim: Hi Mike. Sorry to hear about your mom passing. And I've appreciated all the condolences shared with me in here, and elsewhere, since my dad's passing. I lost my sweet mom a few years ago, too. Life is much different without them for sure, you just have to do the best you can. Just remember the great memories you had. Take care.
Scott Durham from the United Kingdom
Question: Greetings from across the pond. Every week I look forward to reading your mailbag. This being my first write in I wanted to ask about bing something I've been wanting to see for at least 5 years. Big Jeff is obviously an animal, and this year he's somehow managed to yet again raise his level of play. Do you see us ever getting him a game breaker on the edge to play with? And who would like to see? Imagine him on the line with a Will Anderson, Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, Trey Hendrickson, or Maxx Crosby to name a few. I know this won't happen till the off-season but it's fun to look ahead.
Jim: Hey Scott. That's the plan for sure. But those edge rushers, like the ones you mentioned, aren't easy to find. And this team has a lot of other holes, too.
Cosme Belmonte from Mexico City, Mexico
Question: Cam Ward does not deserve #1 of Warren Moon.
I hope Callahan gets rid off that smile he had all last week
Jim: Hate to see folks drawing conclusions on Cam after six games. And, to be honest, I didn't notice the head coach smiling any more last week than previous weeks.
Andy Rao from Arlington, Virginia
Question: Not a question but more of a stream of consciousness observation on the game. The loss puts a bow on the Flying Callahans and their tenure as the men leading my Titans. What was good. The defense. DC Wilson may actually be good. Based on the fact that the Ravens D is awful and the Titans defense actually played well. They really only gave up 13 points. Not going to fault them for giving up a TD when Cam Ward turned the ball over on a sack fumble play by the Raiders defense, said turnover placing the ball on the Titans' 2 yard line. No team is going to hold up on that. The D-line was active. Not just Big Jeff, who was dominant again. Maybe talking just a bit too much in-game, but his play mostly backed it up. Dre Jones, and Femi also had shots at Geno Smith. The defense was stout through three quarters until the snaps caught up with them. Armor-Davis had a bad missed tackle on the sideline late in the game. But other than that, tackling was mostly good. LBs played well. Barton and Gray were active all game long. If only they'd gotten a handle on Mayer, the Raiders' TE who looked all world on Sunday. Also, if that defensive score had stood up. The right call, although the forward motion seems to have been caused by the defensive player hitting Smith's arm and not Smith actually moving the arm forward. Barton had a nice pick, too. The offense. Where to start? Losing Ridley hurt. Hurt bad. Not saying he was Cam's security blanket, but he set up the spacing for everyone else running routes. His signing looks like another in the long line of free agent WRs that busted when here: Slaughter, Thigpen, Moss, etc… After that, Cam couldn't figure out where to go with the ball, other than with Jefferson, who had a great game. Five weeks in and they still haven't figured out how to run a two TE set with Helm and Okonkwo. With all of the offensive line travails, one would think that a two TE set would help. Not sure why Pollard was not starting the third quarter. Glad that Spears got some run, but he looked out of sync for most of the game. Ayomanor should have been involved in the game much sooner than the fourth quarter's furious two minute set. That's on coaching. So many things wrong with this offense. Are they even scripting the first 15 plays like all the West Coast teams do? Three back to back to back running plays on the first drive? Really? Not one trick play. Two many WR screens! No jet sweeps! In watching the compelling Lions-Chiefs game as a precursor, those teams know who to move the WRs around and get them the ball. The Titans under Callahan have no imaginative pre-snap motion. Dike didn't pop in this game either. The Raiders made a concerted effort to keep his numbers down. All in all, it was a dismal showing in Vegas. One worthy of a firing. Which is what happened. I had the over/under at the bye week. The Flying Callahans (I'm going to miss using that phrase from now on) overachieved mightily. It's never a good sign with a new GM gets saddled with a HC from the previous GM. Miss Amy seems to think that this is the way to go. She's been wrong twice. First with making Ran keep Vrabel. Then with making Mike keep Brian. You bring on a new GM- his first move should be to install a new HC, one that he wants. It comes back to Parcells' line about 'shopping for your groceries'. It's that simple. If MB had wanted Callahan from the get-go than fine. But chances are he didn't. He probably had his own list. Which we'll now get to see in action in the offseason. I did call McCoy being the Interim HC from here on out. What a trainwreck. And with Vrabel coming to town. Why do we kick a man when he's down? Because it's easier on our knees. The Titans will be kicked hard and often on this coming Sunday by Coach Vrabel who I'm sure has many 'messages' to send from across the field.
Jim: A lot to take in here, Andy. I'll get back to you on Saturday.
Clint Phillips from Fletcher, North Carolina
Question: Why is the city of Nashville building a new NFL stadium? Shouldn't they try to get an NFL team first? Maybe at least after Vrabel lays a complete and embarrassing Ass whooping on this bunch in his old home stadium they will make some changes. Why is the offence so inept at moving the ball or scoring touchdowns? I do feel sorry for Big Jeff (and some others) though =, the dude is playing his ass off and all they get in return is an L. I wouldn't blame him if he wanted to move on from this disfunction, but i would hate to see this team lose a great player.
Jim: Good to hear from you again, Clint.
Rob Haye from Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Question: Hey Jim, no doubt your ask Jim column must be getting blown up once again..Each week I enjoy reading the column, and must say there are alot of folks who remain positive, but god only knows how they do it..
One would hope that each week this team would have been making tiny steps and building some positive momentum, but each week this team just seems to digress. Lets face it last week's win was just as much about how Arizona just blew up, but at least the Titans showed they could take advantage of other teams miscues and came away with a "W", now if they could simply stop making their own miscues, maybe we could win a game that the team could say, now that was complimentary football in all phases.
Defense is trying their best and probably held us in a few games we had a chance, but offense simply has no clue, cant run block, cant pass block, and simply gets man handled week in/week out. Their offense is as vanilla as it gets, and teams simply pin their ears back and come after them play after play.
Can Cam Ward actually run ? How about throwing in some read option plays, or QB roll outs to the edge in open space, instead of sitting in pocket getting crushed.
Throw out of the play book and just go out and wing it, it cant be any worse than what it is now.
Jim: Hey Rob. As you can see by now, yes, it blew up.
Jason Knight from Cleveland, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim. I hope all is well with you. I haven't sent in anything for a while because i wanted to watch to see how the team looks. I have to say it looks pretty bad. Especially on the offensive side. This team looks as lost as a ball in high grass. Cam looks as bad as Will Levis. I know most of the blame is the offensive line and coaching. I honestly think the Titans have a problem developing players, at least offensive linemen. I understand that we need better players, but a lot of these problems are on coaching. Penalties over and over is on coaching, i know players have to do better, but i believe with the amount that we have every game its a coaching problem. Our team looks like a bunch of replacements playing pros. I think we have the right people as far as the gm, but we need better coaching because this team has no identity. There was a lot more i wanted to say but im so disgusted im just gonna leave it at that. GOD Bless you and your family and thank you for all you do. You are the bright spot on this team and a reason the team still have fans. They should give you a raise.
Jim: Thanks Jason. Yes, the team looks pretty bad. There's no way around it. A lot of guys need to play better, including Cam. Not a whole lot of positives coming out of that game on Sunday, or through the first six games of the season. And I appreciate the kind words. Brock from Calgary is ready to see me go as well.
Have a great week everyone!
