NASHVILLE – And we're off to Indianapolis
The Titans return to action on Sunday against the Colts, who are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now.
The Titans better get it together, or things could get ugly in Indy.
Things haven't been pretty in here of late, but the mailbag is still open for business, and always will be.
Thanks to all those who continue to write in, and read.
Let's dive into another batch of questions and comments…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Mag Grant from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim, love reading all of your reporting. For the fans comparing Brian Callahan to Mike Vrabel, I believe one difference is that during his great years, Vrabel had more elite talent to work with, and when the Titans started failing, Vrabel was better at getting a little more out of a team with less elite talent. But bottom line is that the prior bad drafting and free agent signings put both coaches in a precarious position. I like the direction that Borgonzi is going in for drafting and developing, and there seems to be some real talent in this year's draft class so I understand the need for patience, and that our roster is still in need of edge rushers, depth, etc. It seems that every press conference says that these young players need experience. I know Cam watches a lot of film, but when you are trying to get your driver's license, sitting in the passenger seat is a whole lot different from actually driving the car. I've also been around long enough to remember the days when newly drafted quarterbacks spent their first year on the bench learning the game instead of starting them. I know the preseason is a different animal used for making roster decisions and not wanting players to get hurt. But my question is, would we be further along if especially Ward had 3 more games with more playing time behind him to help him see the difference in speed between college and the NFL? He barely played in the preseason. What are your thoughts on that Jim? Thank you!
Jim: Hi Mag. Thanks for reading. You make some good observations, and points. And, it's a fair question. But I honestly don't think Cam playing more in the preseason would have helped. He would have been playing primarily against back-ups on other teams (since the other team's starters rarely played in the preseason), and against teams that didn't game plan. Cam is going to go through some growing pains – we're seeing it now – but I think he's eventually going to settle down, settle in, and play better. The team, and its fans, of course would love to see it in the second half of this season.
Joseph Newbern from Columbia, South Carolina
Question: With recent misfires like Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan, is it possible that some front office executives will be relieved of their responsibilities? Jon Robinson and Ran Carthon have utterly failed to build even an average offensive line in several seasons, and Coach Callahan seemed overwhelmed by his head coaching duties, and frankly displayed "Todd Downing"-like play calling. He didn't at all look like an offensive guru. Time for some changes in the executive suites? Thanks, Jim (I know you can't answer most of this, but I'm curious)
Jim: Hey Joseph. The reality is a lot of the executives on the football side are brand new, from Mike Borgonzi (GM) to Dave Ziegler (Assistant GM) to Reggie McKenzie (VP/Football Advisor) to Dan Saganey (VP/Player Personnel), all hired since January. In addition to Chad Brinker (President of Football Operations), they're the ones now in charge of personnel. Borgonzi and Brinker will be at the front of hiring the next head coach. It's up to them to get this franchise out of the spot it's currently in.
Tobias Hildesheim from Hamburg, Germany
Question: Let's get some positivity in this mailbag of yours!
Let's be honest, this will be another forgettable season. Perhaps we'll get one or two more wins, but who cares? We should look ahead! And use every minute of gametime to develop our rookies. They can get a lot of growth and experience out of the remaining games! Let's bench those older guys with short contracts who will leave us anyway. Get our young guns their playtime! And please, give Restrepo a chance!
As for the new HC, I hope we get McCarthy! We need experience and calmness and he knows how to coach successful. With a new stadium coming up, a good and developing QB and a top pick in the next draft, we should be able to lure him to Nashville.
Jim: Thanks for chiming in, Tobias.
Jon Brou from Henderson, Tennessee
Question: Good day, Jim. I just have a quick question. Do the Titans have to wait until the end of the season to contact Mike McCarthy about a coaching job or are they able to contact him since he is not working for a team?
Jim: Hey Jon. Since McCarthy is not under contract, I'm not aware of any limitations. I just think it's too early to start the process, with so many unknowns around the team, and with who else might emerge. Believe me, the decision makers will be ready to roll with a list a coaches they're interested in as soon as the season ends.
Paul Gambini from Maryville, Tennessee
Question: Jim- Cam never should have started this year. Team was not playoff ready. He is at risk every game. They need to shelve him and let him hold the clipboard. Levis as well. Unless a team is solid top to bottom no rookie should start. The gamble is too big, especially highly drafted rookie qbs. Cams work ethic won't help him if he's hurt or if he plays so bad folks or public loses faith…ps…why isn't Levi's at games on sidelines?
Jim: Completely disagree with this, Paul. The team has to find out what it has in Cam, and we're seeing it from week to week. He needs to play to get better. No one thought this team was playoff ready. Levis is in California, rehabbing after shoulder surgery.
Matt Montanaro from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Question: Jim. I need you to talk me off the cliff! I am not sure how much more of this that I can stomach. It absolutely sucks to be a Titans fan. I have been with this organization as a loyal supporter dating back to 1977 with the Oilers. I really miss the true Luv ya Blue! For the first time, I now find myself asking the question - Is there another team that I would like to switch onto? I just see no light at the end of the tunnel. It seems other organizations, not all of them, seem to rebound quickly and find themselves in contention much quicker. It seems with us, players come here and just never meet expectations. Is there something in the water? Is the leadership of the organization weak? Is it time for the Adams Family to sell the team and let someone else takeover? I am not sure where this is heading. Please tell me why I should remain a loyal fan.
Jim: Hey Matt. Things are ugly now, but this franchise has had a lot of great moments, and players, since it's been in Tennessee. You know this. There are a lot of franchises out there that wish they've had the same success. I know the team has never won a Super Bowl, but I've covered 18 playoff games, three AFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl in my days writing about the team, first for The Tennessean, and now the team. I know that doesn't come close to the success of other franchises, those who have Lombardi trophies. I also know there are a lot of other franchises that haven't played in nearly as many meaningful games. Is the team in a bad spot right now? Absolutely. It's 4-20 in the last 24 games, 10-31 since 2023, and 10-38 dating back to the midway point of the 2022 season. That stinks. I know it's not cool to be a Titans fan right now. But hell, you've been a fan for nearly 50 years. It would be ridiculous to give up now. Suck it up and come off the cliff.
Scott Weaver from Brownsville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. I hope all is well with you, I really like Cam and I think he will be the guy, but I agree with others who said Levis took too much of the blame last year even though he did make mistakes but the fanbase seemed to hate him due to he played at Kentucky, Cam needs to work on foot work that is a given but i think he really needs to learn to put touch on the ball, some time you need to just lay it in there and not fire it like a missile, get the guy some more talent around him and I do believe he will succeed and I truly hope the next head coach will be someone like Mike McCarthy we need a more experienced HC. One more question: Are we going to continue to where the all white on the road id like to see the titans blue pants on the road for a few games. I know they want a more unified uniform approach but all white all the time away is meh, its ok once in a while but used some color, oh well have great one.
Jim: I agree with you on Cam, and Levis. A lot of folks were ready to pounce on him, and he gave them that chance. As for the white unis, the plan was to have a more consistent look this year, and we're seeing that. Could there still be some adjustments? Yes. But you're going to continue to see a lot of the same combinations. The hate on the white unis kind of surprises me to be honest. Before this year, it seemed like a lot of fans loved the all whites. Now, it seems like a lot of folks hate them. Maybe it's the way the team is playing in them?
Ken Napolitano from Commack, New York
Question: Hi Jim. Long time out of state Oilers / Titans fan from the Dan Pastorini days…still kills me that if we had instant replay on the Renfro catch, we would have went to the Super Bowl that year!
I'm a glass half full type of fan and excited for the development of Cam Ward in the coming years, cap money flexibility, and the new stadium!
As it relates to Cam, is there a specific reason we don't see him scramble at all, I know he has stated he wants to be that pocket passer however there seems to be missed opportunities at times.
Has that been discussed and do you see that becoming part of his game in the future?
Thanks for the time
Jim: Hey Ken. You know the official who made that call on the Renfro play is from Nashville, right? I just think Cam is comfortable staying in the pocket, and I applaud his patience hanging in there and trying to find something downfield. I have to admit, I've seen times when it's looked like he could run, and pick up yards, myself. Maybe he'll do that more on occasion moving forward? I don't think the handcuffs are necessarily on him.
Israel Labastida from Vancouver, Canada
Question: Hello, I have a lot to say about the team, and I think it has a lot to do with the front office. When they decided to fire Mike Vrabel, it was supposed to improve the team's situation, but we came from two frustrating seasons, and then they brought in Brian Callahan. That didn't mark an advance; on the contrary, it was a step back because we ended up with an even worse record. And it wasn't just that; we had a undisciplined team with many penalties, sacks on our quarterback, and a way of playing football that was never understood.
They decided to keep the coach, so the 2024 season was a total waste of time. For 2025, we're still wasting time, and the only thing that will be redeemable from this season is that our young talent is gaining experience. Other than that, we're still in the hole, even worse than the last two seasons with Vrabel.
What hurts me is that it seems like the institution isn't in a hurry to get out of the hole. And here's my question: Why wait until January to hire a new coach? If there's not much to aspire to this season, at least you can bring in the new coach and have them lead the team for a few games to make a diagnosis of the team's state and plan better for next season. Why wait?
On the other hand, I'd like to go back a bit to the early games of this season. You said our team lost simply because they faced better teams. I was truly sorry to read that. You know, our team, the Oilers/Titans, have historically been a combative team, uncomfortable for all rivals. We've beaten teams that looked better on paper than us over the decades. That's the true mystique of our team: being a fighting team.
Unfortunately, the previous coaching staff dedicated themselves to destroying our identity with football that made no sense. Please don't take too long to bring in a new coach; we've already lost too much time. Thanks for your great work, and I hope the Titans are back on top soon, where they belong. Best regards.
Jim: Thanks for writing in, Israel. I touched on this with Jon earlier, too. I know some candidates are available now, but a lot more guys will be at the end of the year. Some of them may currently be employed on other staffs? Some candidates may become available because they're let go? Maybe there's a college coach out there the team would be interested in? I'm just suggesting the team is going to cast a wide net to find their next coach, not just jump on who is available on October 25. And remember, this is a two-way street. The Titans are going to be competing with other teams to land a coach, and I'm sure the coaches are going to want to see the full landscape as well. Just my thoughts.
Ryker Sekulow from Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim, can you ask the Titans if they can come to my bar mitzvah or send congrats thank you.
Jim: Mazel Tov Ryker!
Mitch Wilson from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Jim, I'm assuming former coach Callahan was the one who convinced the GM and ownership to waste pick 1-1 on Cam Ward. That decision cost him his job. Not that Ward has no talent. He just isn't an improvement over Levis. If you compare Levis first season as a starter to Wards first season as a starter, Levis out performed Ward. What a waste of draft capitol. The Titans could have made a big move had they played their cards right and they didn't. The GM needs to go as well. The Titans had a once in a lifetime chance to make a huge improvement and blew it. Here's my question. Do you believe the failures on the part of ownership and management have allowed a culture of failure to settle into the organization. If so, how many years do you think it will take to turn it around. Do you think they will be like the Browns and be down for ever. The Browns had their franchise QB and lost him. Now he is one of the best QBs in the league starting for one of the best teams in the NFL. I pushed for JCL to be moved back to the RT position soon after I watched him playing LT. It was an obvious move. Jim you said it would never happen. JCL is now the starting RT. I knew firing Mike Vrable was the worst mistake the Titans had made since they moved to Nashville. Vrable just handed the Titans their head as a first year HC for the Pats. Here's another prediction. Jeffery Simmons will sign with the Pats so he can play for Vrable and have a chance of winning a ring before he retires. He'll be one of many trying to get off a sinking ship. Last question do you think the next coach will have the intestinal fortitude to have a real competition for starting QB between Levis and Ward with a level playing field or will the Titans waste another pick 1-1 or 1-2 on a QB instead of fixing their real problem the O-line. I say 1-1 because the Titans are not as good a team as the Jets. What happened in Arizona was not a victory. The Cardinals self destructed and beat themselves. Next question, do you think a quality head coach will even come to the Titans with the climate they have now? And if they do will ownership have the patience to give a new coach time to turn it around because now its going to be a matter of years if not decades before they can change the culture. If there is one thing I know and understand it's command (leadership) climate and the Titans have just become toxic.
Jim: Hey Mitch. Calling the QB a bust after seven games is ridiculous. And you do realize the GM has been on the job for nine months? That's hardly enough time to clean things up. After parting ways with Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel, the team made some poor hires at both spots. Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan have since been let go, and the process to get things fixed is in the early stages. A new head coach won't be hired until January. Two other things: I never said JC Latham would never move to right tackle. I began saying in here that could happen as soon as last season ended. And if you love the former head coach so much, you should learn how to spell his name.
Have a great weekend everyone!
