NASHVILLE – One week from today, the NFL Combine will be under way in Indianapolis.
It's where the Titans brass will get a longer look at the draft prospects, and it's where new Titans GM Ran Carthon will address reporters on a national basis.
In the meantime, let's keep sorting through questions in here. I'll do my best to answer them.
Let's go…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Jim Williams from Lubbock, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. Are the Titans in reloading mode? Or rebuilding mode? With the guys returning from injury, the team seems closer to the 2021 12-6 group than the 2022 7-10 bunch. But rebuilding the offensive line will be a difficult chore and help is needed at wide receiver, too. On the defense, another edge rusher would be a welcome addition. These holes will be hard to fill through the draft. And it will be tough to bring in free agents with the salary cap position as it will be, even after several cuts are made in the next couple of weeks. Will the Titans try to shore up the obvious weaknesses and make a Super Bowl run in 2023? Or just blow the whole thing up and accept a few miserable seasons while starting over with all younger players? What do you think, Jim.
Jim: I'd say somewhere in between. It's February 21st, Jim. Some players are going to be released at some point in the next few weeks, some guys will probably be asked to restructure, and of course new additions will be made in free agency, and then the draft. There's a big puzzle that needs to be put together. A lot of changes are coming, I can assure you of that. But this whole "blow the whole thing up" lingo is overused, and I'm not even sure what it means.
Andriy Lakusta from Edmonton, AB, Canada
Question: Hi Jim, hope all is well down there, and you're getting at least a bit of a break now that the off season is here. Just a couple of comments and then a couple of questions.
There's been a lot of Tannehill talk since the season ended, with people being pretty passionate with the keep him get rid of him question, seems like it's been like that for a few off seasons now. I love Tannehill's attitude, toughness, and he does fit our offensive system, run, play action, be smart with the ball (for the most part). Where I see an issue in keeping him, isn't his play, but the cap hit the team will take. At this point, before any new crazy QB deals are signed this off season, Tannehill sits as the 5th highest cap hit among all QBs in the league for next year. As much as I love the guy, I think where the issue for fans that want to move on from him, comes down to that figure and the fact we need all the cap space we can get to fix things like my next topic.
This is already being beaten to death, but pretty sure everyone agrees that the O-Line needs a MAJOR rebuild. At RT, Petit-Frere looks to have some potential, but he definately had some rookie growing pains last year, and might be the only starting O-lineman back from this current group. Would like to see him play a bit meaner though. At RG Davis is most likely gone getting some good money in free agency, need someone new there. I also think Nate was quietly our best lineman last year At C, I hope Jones is back for another season and doesn't retire, but either way, need to start looking at a replacement there if not now for in the future. LG, what can be said of our LG last year. For the most part, Brewer looked like a rag doll, especially if he had to take on someone 1 on 1. The man is too small to be plaing guard in the NFL. And lastly LT. Don't think we need to say anything about Daley, and as for Lewan, he's another favorite, but has missed more games then he has played the last 3 years, and he's another pretty big cap hit that the team could use the money from somewhere else. Love Taylor, but he just hasn't been the same since the first ACL injury, even when in the line-up.
So finally my questions. Has there been any talk of, or do you think Tannehill would be open to, restructuring his contract to create some cap space? Would like to keep him, and continue to see if Malik can develop, over the next couple of years.
Okay, second question, can we honestly put together a "quality" O-line, when we have to replace 3-4 guys in one off season? Draft is always a gamble, and there aren't a lot of high end O-lineman available in free agency that stand out to me, not to mention free agency you always seem to have to over pay.
Okay, I'll stop rambling now. Can't wait to see what out new GM does going forward
Jim: Hey Andriy. Haven't really gotten a break, tbh, but it's all good. The NFL calendar keeps churning and there's really not a break until late June/early July. … Appreciate the feedback. We'll have to see on Tannehill, what he's up for/what the team is interested in doing, etc. I'm sure that's going to be a popular question for Ran at the combine. I think the o-line will be rebuilt with a combination of free agency and the draft.
Johnny Davidson from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: From a long time Titans fan; occasional reader who has never written to you. My name is on the board at the stadium as an original PSL owner (stopped attending during Covid year).
Here's a few questions since I haven't written before: "Is it plausible in any fantasy that this team moves up to pick one of the 2 top QBs in the draft?" I'm seeing such speculations. Personally, I don't think the Titans have enough draft value to trade. I worry our team might get left behind in the AFC South because of the QB questions facing the new management, and the likelihood that both the Colts and Texans do manage to haul in the top 2 QBs on the board. And I, for one, am not a fan of constantly plugging in old(er) QBs to fill the gap. Our last high value pick at QB has contributed greatly to where our team currently is, don't you think? And my daughters and I still love Mariota. So, I am not picking on him, just talking about consequences.
Lastly, do you think either of the QBs entering this year's draft from KY or FL are truly 1st round draft picks? They both seem like rather big questions and big projects to me.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Johnny. Two months from the draft, no one knows how things will play out. A lot depends on what happens with Tannehill, picks 1-10, what other teams do/are willing to do. Plus, no one knows what Ran Carthon is thinking at this point. He's been on the job for a month. … As for the QBs in the draft, count me among those not buying into the hype on Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. Neither one of them impressed me a whole lot at Kentucky and Florida. But hey, I'm no scout and I won't be in the war room.
Tony Capp Cappadona from Brentwood, Tennessee
Question: Thanks, Jim for all the information you dispense through the mailbag. Recently, you received a question in Spanish from Adrian Lopez from Caracas, Venezuela. Just wondering, do you speak Spanish or did you use an online translator like me?
Jim: Si.
Daryl Brown from White House, Tennessee
Question: Do you think there is a possibility that we could get Stetson Bennett from Georgia as our quarterback maybe for backup purposes? He is a proven leader and can be a winner for our team!
Jim: A lot of other guys I'd rather have...
Dwaylyn Nadal from Youngstown, Ohio
Question: Why haven't went after Eric Bieniemy for our offensive coordinator job yet? Who and where are we going on the offensive coordinator side if we don't get Eric Bieniemy?
Jim: I guess you missed this, Dwaylyn -- Bieniemy is the new OC for the Commanders. Mike Vrabel elevated Tim Kelly to OC earlier this month.
Joel Meadows from Oakland, Tennessee
Question: Is there a way to acquire Tony Pollard to give Derrick Henry help in back field? That would make dynamic duo. I watched Pollard play in college at the University of Memphis. Bring him back to Tennessee.
Jim: I'm sure a lot of teams would love to have Tony Pollard – including the Dallas Cowboys.
John Burnett from Dickson, Tennessee
Question: Jim it looks like there is going to be a mass exodus from the Titans player wise. Either by getting cut to help the cap or just not being resigned because they filled a hole last year but management is looking to improve upon them in free agency. The one I hope they keep is Josh Dobbs. He has never really been given much of a chance to prove himself but he's stuck around for quite awhile now so that says something. What do you think about my comments on the mass exodus I'm expecting. Curious minds like mine would like to know.
Jim: I've said from the first day of the offseason there will be a lot of changes. Not sure what qualifies as "mass exodus." I know that makes it sounds like guys are packing up and leaving on their own. The Titans will be saying goodbye to several guys either because it's time to move on, or because they're scheduled to make too much money and the deal no longer makes sense. Stay tuned.
Have a great week everyone!
