NASHVILLE – And, we're on to Week 5.
The Titans are headed west again, this time to Arizona, to face the Cardinals.
Can the team stop going south?
Time will tell, but I know everyone is ready for this losing streak to end.
And, to kick off this weekend's mailbag …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Landon Prater from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Jim, this is my first time writing in and I wanted to thank you for giving us fans the opportunity to have our questions answered. Although when the season has already started off like this, I imagine it to be difficult. My question is as the team gets closer and closer to week 8, and as we inevitably keep losing games. Do you think Mike Borgonzi will consider trading key players from the roster? The one in particular being Jeffery Simmons. He continues to show he is our best player, and many teams would love to have him. I personally do not want to see him leave the team. Mike however did not draft him, and could use him to aquire more picks to help rebuild. Do you think the Titans should consider trading Jeff? If so what would his worth be? Once again, thank you Jim.
Jim: Hey Landon. This is a great question, and one I'm sure will keep coming up as the trade deadline approaches. With a rebuild, and a reshaping of the team/roster/culture under way, it makes total sense to trade some of the biggest assets for draft picks. Yes, it sucks for the now, but this front office is thinking about the future. Personally, there are some guys I'd consider dealing for draft picks. I'm not going to name names. Jeffery Simmons is the best commodity the team has right now, and he'd draw the most in return. But I'd have a hard time pulling the trigger on that move. Jeffery is the best player on the team, and one of the best players in franchise history. He's a tone-setter, and a great example for everyone in the locker room with the way he practices, and plays on Sunday. I honestly don't know what the return would be for Jeffery, but I seriously doubt the team could find a first-rounder who would come close to him in terms of talent, and production.
John Juarez from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. Big fan of your writing for years. First time questioner.
Please humor this bold trade scenario.
Our Titans are struggling to A. win games, and B. be entertaining. With that in mind, we trade to bring Derrick Henry back. L'Jarius Sneed maybe does it, plus we throw in a low pick. Derrick had 8 carries Sunday too.
My reasoning is this. We need some excitement. We need some inspiration. There is reason to believe Derrick will be a top end rusher for another 5 years. That goes against all historical running back longevity expectations. But, King Henry is an aberration. LeBron is still all NBA at 40. I feel Derrick's running will hold up, much like LeBron's athleticism has. And, if that happens, in the NEW STADIUM Derrick will be challenging Emmitt Smith's all time rushing record. That's how we get our excitement back. I know this is very unlikely. But, I would like to hear your thoughts.
Jim: Hey John. I appreciate it. I know a lot of Titans fans would love to see this.
But I hate to tell you, it's not going to.
I do agree this team needs to find ways to be more entertaining, and to win more games. In time, hopefully that will happen. But the Derrick Henry chapter has closed in Tennessee. The team needs to find more players like him. Hope to see you in here again.
Jefferson Pendergrass from Rainesville, Alabama
Question: Hi Jim. Here is a poem that I wrote about the Tennessee Titans:
"The Tennessee Titans ain't too exciting;
The front office thinks Callahan will take 'em to the promised land, but looks like he's in LaLa land;
The players look uninspired - the defense just looks tired;
The players' effort is valiant, but they just don't have the talent;
Callahan is nice guy, but his coaching makes fans cry;
I think it is is time to tell him bye-bye;
Thank You!
Jim: Oh man, I created a monster in here!
Michael Euler from Bastrop, Texas
Question: Grew up in Houston, lived in the Astrodome watching my Oilers, Engineering firm transferred me to Nashville as Project Mgr on I-840 in early 90's, lived in Antioch, watched stadium being built, watched Oilers last game in Houston, in person, saw My Oilers transform to the Titans, came back to Houston area around 98' being a Titan Fan and from Houston went over like a lead balloon with my friends on Sunday, especially when Titans came to Reliant Stadium, anywho,, since Bud passed torch to Amy Strunk, the later years have seen a club self destruct, Vrabel gone, AJ gone, Henry gone, top Coaches now leading other teams gone,,,, this is why Titans stink., not for trying, not for scheduling, not for ref's calling bad games,,, we just don have an Organization put together like when McNair, George, Wycheck & Top NFL Defense took the field is the deal Man,,, Vrabel will clean our clock in a few weeks and I hope he does and waves at Strunks box up in the air if shes at the game ,, Signed Purple Heart Vietnam Vet, Native Texan and Horse Rescuer wishes you well ol Man'
Jim: Hey Michael. You've seen it all. Thanks for your service, and for taking the time to write in.
Chris Malone from Indianapolis, Indiana
Question: No complaints here. Just a couple of curiosity questions for you. I think you know more about the Titans and frankly football than I do. There was a lot of chatter on here about Coach Callahan giving up play calling responsibilities. I'm not quite clear on how that was going to make a huge difference when he's had success in previous locations calling plays. I think he may have struggled with head coach responsibilities more so than playcalling responsibilities. I'm not quite sure why a major improvement would be expected by fans due to passing on the responsibility of calling plays. Maybe you can explain that for me.
Secondly, I noticed that Diggs was back in the starting lineup. I've always thought he was a good player in the past. So I wasn't surprised to see him starting again. My question is if he's healthy prior to midseason, do you see Winston starting alongside Hooker this season? I know you have been pretty complimentary of what you have seen so far in regards to him.
Jim: Hey Chris. Just for background, Callahan didn't call plays previously in Cincinnati. He was the OC, but Bengals HC Zac Taylor called the plays. Here in Tennessee, Callahan gave up play-calling – he really didn't want to – because it allows him to focus more on all areas of the team as a head coach. We'll see if the result improve with Bo Hardegree settling it, but the personnel has seemed overmatched so far. … As for Winston, you're right, I have been complimentary of him, and I think he's going to be an outstanding player. Right now, it's hard for me to project what his role might be moving forward, just because he needs to get back into the flow. But as he plays, and he's trending in the right direction, I think he'll earn more and more snaps.
Jane Britton from Old Hickory, Tennessee
Question: I thought of something that might help the Titans Offense score more points, the Coaches need to watch film/tape of the Commodores, the plays that resulted in a TD, and implement those plays in upcoming games...the Commodores scored 200 points in their last 4 games, and as you know, the Titans scored 51...
I realize this is probably thinking outside the box, but that's what we need to do IMO - something different has to happen and I think that might work.
Jim: Put this in the category of: Emails I never thought I'd get.
Robbie Webb from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: Well I am glad I was traveling and not able to see the Sunday game! I know it takes time to rebuild but is it possible we have the wrong coach. I now hate I have 3 PSL for the new stadium especially at my age of 75. I could spend that money elsewhere!
Jim: Hopefully the team will be better by then! And, 75 is still young!
Hector Hernandez from Teziutlan Puebla Mexico
Question: Hola Jim buena tarde!! Felicitaciones por tu enorme trabajo y mas ahora con tanta frustracion, enojo y decepcion de tantos aficionados a los TITANS entre ellos me incluyo. Solo para que mi comentario que se que no servira de nada si servira para desahogar mi enorme coraje. Este equipo que comanda el coach Callahan en verdad apesta no se que piense la mrs Amy Adams ni el gerente general para tomar acciones rapidas y contundentes. Si quieren echar a perder la temporada da lo mismo que sea con otro coach pero que al menos se le vea ganas de jugar y la intencion de ganar, no tengo palabras para expresar lo que ví ayer en juego solo Big Jeff jugando a gran nivel Tony Pollard de igual manera, la gran línea ofensiva que monto el gran coach de OL el papá Callahan da pena millonadas que le pagaron a Moore para que? A ya se para que por ahí pasen los Pass Rusher de los equipos rivales y ya ni que decir del RT un joven de universidad jugaria mejor, pero el coach gurú de OL no tuvo la visión de que esos jugadores no sirven para nada. Espero que los Callahan se vayan de Nashville ya inmediatamente y con ellos varios jugadores que solo vienen a jugar con los Titanes para cobrar millonadas con un tal CB Sneed que juega basura (cuando juega porque sino está lesionado) estoy harto aquí en México decimos "estoy hasta la madre" de ver tanta mediocridad, tanta basura, y tanta ineptitud cada domingo en el staff de coacheo de los TITANS y mira Jim que tengo 47 años de aficionado a los oilers-titans y me ha tocado ver temporadas malas, muy malas pero como la pasada y está no hay comparación alguna. Gracias por leerme aunque se que no publicaras mi carta y mi comentario no servira de nada y para nuestro dolor seguiremos viendo en el sideline a los Callahan uno tratando de ser HEAD COACH y el otro cobrando por lo que hizo en tiempos pasados ni hablar si a Mrs Adams no le duele tirar su dinero a la basura pues allá ella. Saludos Jim
Jim: Hola Héctor. Has sido fan durante mucho tiempo. La franquicia tiene suerte de contar con tu lealtad. Lamento que las cosas hayan ido tan mal últimamente. Ojalá mejoren. Un abrazo y gracias por escribir.
Mike Halford from Columbus, Mississippi
Question: Here's the truth....this is a bad football team/roster. I have followed this franchise from the AFL conception. I am reminded, from 1970-73 the Oilers won 9 games in four year...9! It 's not getting better in the near future.
Jim: Hey Mike. This is tough to argue against right now, based on what we've seen. I do think it will get better in time.
Brian Garvey from Charlotte, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim, hope your week has improved since Sunday afternoon. My biggest concern about the Titans is how we have become a farm team for major franchises. Here are some examples of players who were on the 2019 team, who are still playing meaningful football for teams: Derrick Henry, Kevin Byard, Adoree' Jackson, Kalif Raymond, David Long Jr., Harold Landry. We recently traded Jarvis Brownlee for scraps which is not showing improvement.
Is it because of negligence or just bad hires/drafts that have caused good young players to not be signed for future deals? It's not like we had cap issues to worry about so I just want to learn more insight on how this trend can be ended.
I want to be optimistic regarding our current rebuild but have not seen a promising on-field product since then (excluding Bengals playoff run). Coming from a lifelong Titans fan, would love to hear your thoughts on the causes of how this happened and how it will be prevented moving forward.
PS - I could add Mike Keith into the example list but that pains me too much. We do not deserve Mike.
Jim: Hey Brian. Well, all of these moves were made for different reasons, and some of the decisions to let them go were obviously worse than others. And, I can't believe you left A.J. Brown off this list!
Todd Cookingham from Houston, Texas
Question: Hey Jim, oiler/Titan sence "78"
So was at the game Sunday. Hey a lot closer then the score.. watching sneed get beat all over the field was hard to watch. This was my wife's first NFL game. She loved it and we screamed for big Jeff on 3rd down. lots of so close plays.I still have belief we can turn this season around starting a very winnable game in the desert. Here's the question? Do you think wards red shoes help the defense find him... ? As they spin if his feet looked like the rest?? I saw those shoes across the whole stadium.. I know ! we're talking shoes?? Lol we thought Elic was open all day.. HE is our #1.last thing told you last week .Houston hates us..met a man who even said the oilers and Titans are cursed due to Mr Adams purchase of some American Indian artifact... Met wards good friend from high school who when asked said ward does Toss a different way ..and we both agreed BRING UP Restrepo NOW.. thanks Jim. Don't forget those shoes!
Jim: Hey Todd. Hope you and your wife had a good time, despite the result. I get a lot of calls for Restrepo, and while nothing is imminent, I could see it happening at some point … Not sure the red shoes are a detriment to Cam …
Bob Luciano from Huntersville, North Carolina
Question: Hi Jim, you have been great to answer my questions 2 of the past 3 weeks.
Here are statistics from the Callahan era...
21 games.
8 of them the Titans held a halftime lead, 1 game was tied at halftime, 1 game Titans were down by 1 point at halftime. That is 10 winnable games ( half of them ) at halftime. The Titans won 3 of those games.
In the second half of those 21 games the Titans outscored their opponents only 6 times, 3 of those 6 games the Titans had already lost by halftime.
These numbers indicate a problem. Perhaps our conditioning is poor? Perhaps the coaching staff is not making proper in game adjustments?
Is anybody acknowledging the second half problems?
Is anybody addressing this?
Jim: Hey Bob. Thanks for continuing to write in. Yes, folks are acknowledging these problems, and working to do things to fix them. In my opinion, it's a combination of things. But the only thing that matters is what happens on Sundays. We'll find out tomorrow how things look in Arizona.
Jeremy Kain from Plattsburgh, New York
Question: Jim, many fans have written of late about how the Titans are unwatchable at this point. I disagree. After four games, it appears clear to me that the 2025 Titans have been a competitive team at the start of each Sunday. After an early pick-6 we seemed to rebound, holding the Colts to three points in the 2nd quarter. We were only down six points at the half in Texas while missing Two FGs. And, we were beating both the Broncos & Rams at Halftime. What happens in the second half seems to align with a lack of effective adjustments being made and the decline of player motivation, and fundamentals being executed… Many in your mailbag have also rightfully pointed out the lack of return on our 50 million dollar combined investments in Ridley & Sneed for the 2025 Salary Cap. Our starting five Offensive Linemen (when healthy) are also five of the highest paid on the 53 man Active Roster: Cushenberry (#4), Moore (#5), Zeitler (#8), Latham (#13) & Skoronski (#14). All of these players have multiple years remaining on their contracts. We need coaches who will get more from these guys or it's going to be more of the same until perhaps the 2027 or 2028 season… On a related note, it would serve the organization well, with regard to the fanbase, if they promoted Xavier Restrepo onto the Active Roster. With injuries happening around the NFL, he can easily get plucked away by another organization. I don't want to mention names, but I can think of a couple WRs on the Active Roster that would not stir the fanbase much if one of them were placed on the Practice Squad in exchange for Restrepo getting a chance with Ward. I believe that Restrepo will play with energy, purpose and grit, regardless of who is coaching… What are your thoughts regarding the contrasts between our first half performances and our second half play, and Xavier moving up the depth chart?
Jim: Hey Jeremy. You make some good, fair points. You and Bob are thinking along the same lines on the second half issues. I can't point to one thing. I don't think it's a lack of motivation – believe me, everyone wants to win. I think it has more to do with these teams are just better than the Titans at this point, and that has ultimately produced the more lopsided result in the second half. But that doesn't mean this team shouldn't be better, and that it can't win games. As for Restrepo, he's still working, and he's still behind others on the depth chart.
Toperasu Chirandu from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Question: Hi Jim. I guess all hope for this season is lost. What is your take? I am of the opinion that the team should go into a rebuilding mode. We have the pieces, at least some of them. Management can start revamping the coaches and then the team. The O-line needs some bodies and a new O-line coach. The offence needs a running back-an Eddie George or Derrick Henry type. The defence needs a new Albert Haynesworth or Jevon Kease. Hopefully, we can pull it off if we get to make the first choice in a row. I cannot say much about the coaches-- let the other fans say it loud.
Jim: Hey Toperasu. Make no mistake, this team is in rebuilding mode.
Sam Bingham Jr. from Tuscon, Arizona
Question: Hi Jim, Long time fan I've supported the team all my 62 years of my life , my right arm has the biggest tattoo . I have caps and t-shirts and jackets to support my team . But all the years I've have watch them play and gone to see them play here in Arizona, even the biggest high of my life when they made it to the Superbowl. Boy this year I thought it would be different without Levis . All I can say is Mr Bud must be turning over in his grave watching the team he built playing like they are and the amount of money they are paying these guys . Looks like they want the number 1 pick again.
Jim: Hey Sam. We're headed your way!
Have a great weekend everyone!
