NASHVILLE – Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.
The Titans have spent the week prepping for the Jaguars, aiming to snap a six-game losing streak on Sunday.
I think everyone would be thankful for that.
OK, maybe not everyone.
Nonetheless, football returns on Sunday.
For now, let's focus on this mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Sean O'Reilly from Dublin, Ireland
Question: Hi Jim. Definitely hasn't been the season anyone was hoping for, but the last few weeks have really given me hope for the future
I think the draft class is really showing what they can do and contributing in big ways and that's a credit to everyone in the front office, Dike looks to be an incredible find in the 4th round, I really hope he gets an all pro as a returner this year he deserves it.
Cam is looking like a number 1 pick these last few weeks and playing well against defenses that have given plenty of experienced QBs real trouble, and seems to be improving every week and the improvised plays are brilliant to watch
Thanks for all the content even in a difficult year, hopefully this is the beginning of the building a Super Bowl team
Jim: Hi Sean. I appreciate you reading, and writing in. I've definitely seen some reasons to be more optimistic of late, but this team is definitely still a work in progress. I do think they got the QB right, which is a big part of it. And this rookie class looks good. Hopefully we'll see you in Ireland next year!
Jack Shepard from Miami, Florida
Question: Being from Miami, this is my first year as a Titans fan and of course it is because of Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo being UM alumni and on the team. I really enjoy your mailbag, which I read each week, and think you are a great guy just by the way you respond with humor to may of the fans writing in. I have sat idly by each week biting my tongue at the criticism of Cam and have waited patiently for Xavier to get his shot. It seems that many of the fans not only forgot how bad the quarterback play was last year, which you don't have to be a Titans fan to know, but that Cam is a rookie and obviously had a learning curve. I consider myself a student of the game, having played and watched it my entire life. Do the Tennessee fans forget that their beloved Peyton Manning was a disaster his rookie year? The same can be said of many of the great quarterbacks who have ever played the game not named Dan Marino and Tom Brady. Even experienced starters play badly. In fact, two weeks ago, I saw Sam Darnold throw 4 interceptions, and watched Brock Purdy throw three last Thursday night. Cam has not thrown an interception in 3 weeks. Cam has no running game, and little protection, and no number 1 receiver, but he has improved each week, so much so that NFL.com wrote this today: "Cam Ward had his best game as a pro in Week 12, firing sharp passes through tight windows, embracing his ability to pick up yards on the ground and producing his latest cross-body throwing highlight, this time to former Miami running mate Xavier Restrepo. He continues to improve and has me convinced the Titans have their man. They just need to surround him with better players." I could not say it better myself. To the haters and doubters: take that! And finally, you only got a glimpse last week of what Xavier can do. He added an undeniable spark and makes everyone around him better. You don't play this game on paper Jim. Something the Titans coaches and the NFL will soon learn the more he plays. Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving Brother!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Jack, and I appreciate the kind words. Welcome aboard. Enjoyed my trip to Florida for Miami's Pro Day in April, by the way! Stayed in Coconut Grove, ate at Monty's twice, a great spot.
Sheldon Kahan from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: This may sound crazy, but here goes: I've heard it said that on any given play the officials can find something to call a foul on. If that is the case than it's conceivable that the officials can affect the outcome of games if they choose to do so. Why would they do so? Well, let's say some fat cat in Vegas had a lot of money on a team and had access to the officials and let's say offered him a kickback if his favored team won. A call here or there or a non call here or there could make a difference. Or maybe the media moguls have a preference because of a possible ratings boost.
Quite honestly it appears to me that the amount of great plays nullified or fouls not called to the Titans disadvantage is way beyond the law of averages. They're all professionals and yet the Titans opponents always seem to get the benefit of the doubt. Just sayin'.
That gotten off my conspiritorial chest, it was so good and heart-warming to see Cam's improvement and to finally see Resprepo get a chance. All he does is get open and catch the ball. That should be enough.
Jim: Well, I think there is probably some truth to that, the potential of calling a flag on every play. Maybe a little exaggerated, but if you want to get ticky-tacky, yeah. I think for the most part officials do a good job, although you surely see some terrible calls on occasion. It's a hard job.
Jack Weber from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I hope you had a great thanksgiving with your family. I am excited to see what Cam Ward does against the Jaguars on Sunday. I also hope Vanderbilt gets a big win on Saturday vs Tennessee! I want to say this since moving to Tennessee I love gamedays on Sundays. I love going to Nissan Stadium. I want to win, I don't want to see my team lose for the draft pick because it isn't guaranteed to get the #1 pick. I think these guys are fighting hard, I would love to get an upset win vs the Jags at home. I know it's way too early but would you rather an offensive mind head coach or defensive mind head coach would be better for the team moving forward! Thanks Jim! Always Titan Up!
Jim: Appreciate it, Jack. It really doesn't matter to me whether the head coach is offensive or defensive minded to be honest. I want a guy who demands respect, and gets the most of his players. If the HC ends up being a defensive guy, it will be important for him to put a good staff together on offense, someone who can help Cam develop, and thrive.
Gary Corley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim Happy Thanksgiving!!! I loved what I saw from our team (last Sunday) even though it was a losing effort we saw effort and that's what matter the most to me. Dike is a legitimate threat on special teams and as a receiver with him and EA the future should be bright
I liked what I saw from Xavier too
My question is more geared towards the offseason but I would like to know if you have any coaches in mind that you would like to see the Titans go after this offseason mine is Mike McCarthy but I would like to know your opinion on who you would like the next head coach to be
I think whoever it is they have to keep Bones
As always thanks for what you do And TITAN UP!!!!!
Jim: Hey Gary. I know a lot of folks in here have expressed an interest in McCarthy. I think he's a good coach. But I'm curious to see who else might be out there. I'm with you on Bones (John Fassel). He's one coach on the current staff who I hope is retained.
Jeremiah Anderson from Scottsville, Virginia
Question: What does our coaching staff think our biggest problem/weakness is? And how will they go about solving it?
Jim: Oh man, Jeremiah. There is help needed across the board. I can't think of many positions where the team can say, "Hey, we're good here." The team needs to get better on the o-line, at running back, receiver, edge rusher, and cornerback, just to name a few positions.
Chip Townsend from Eads, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim guess you have been pretty busy defending this years Titans team and last 5 or 6 years of teams. Well my question is basically is where are heading now. With all the coaching changes players changes etc, I don't see a solution for a winning team. The local network has already stopped broadcasting here in this area of Tennessee and other areas for lack of interest. So I cannot comment on last 5 or so losses was bad or what's good. Now I can only look at win loss record for my evaluations, and news recaps and your articles. The story does not look good for the near future or latter yeas coming. Seems as though we Titans start playing the substitution from the winning team they have a couple bright moments. I myself believe this qb was not ready to lead a pro team, he has not worked under any trained qb and does not show greatness, even though he is a hard worker. Oh well maybe some day they will return to our tv station. Help in many areas is needed, not to even start on defense. Take care and let's see or read about some wins.
Jim: Hey Chip. You call it defending the team, I call it trying to give an honest assessment on things without going overboard with negativity. I certainly haven't shied away from giving my opinion on the good and the bad with the franchise, and right now, yeah, it's a lot of bad – the team has won just four games in the last two seasons. But there are bright spots. So, where is the team going from here? It needs to keep improving this season, and in January, the team needs to make a great hire on the next head coach. Then, the team needs to identify the right players in free agency and the NFL Draft. There have been too many swings and misses over the years, and that's why the franchise is in the position it is in.
Hector Hernandez from Teziutlan, Puebla; Mexico
Question: Que tal Jim buen d�a!! Antes que nada deseo que t� y los tuyos est�n bien, y agradecerte por el gran trabajo que haces por mantenernos informados y ahora en estos tiempos muy dif�ciles para nuestro equipo tu trabajo se vuelve muy dif�cil por estar aguantando quejas a veces bien fundamentadas y otras no tanto de aficionados enojados, frustrados como el que te escribe.
Quiero externar mi opini�n respecto al equipo no sin antes comentarte que pude estar en el Nissan stadium en el juego contra los odiados Texans, pase de la emoci�n de conocer a Cody Barton, Xavier Restrepo, Chic, Mason Kinsey, JC Latham, luego la esperanza de ver que pod�amos ganar el juego, luego el enojo de ver el llamado de jugadas p�simas en mi opinion, luego decir otra vez lo mismo, castigos y m�s castigos que nos alejaron de la zona de anotacion pero el ultimo drive fue muy bueno me tuvo en la orilla del asiento hasta que grite Touchdown, pero la defensa no pudo hacer su trabajo detener a los Texans y ah� el resultado otra derrota mas. El domingo pasado hubo mejorias en varias posiciones necesitamos con calidad de urgencia un left tackle, de igual manera cornerbacks y rushers no hay quien ayude al mejor defensive tackle de la liga El Gran Big Jeff.
Entiendo que desde que despidieron al coach Callahan el GM y su equipo de trabajo decidieron empezar una reconstrucci�n del equipo y yo pens� porque? Si tenemos gente de calidad en ambos lados del balon y lo que no ten�amos de hace mucho tiempo un buen coach de equipos especiales ah� es donde se ve el trabajo, ahora en cada punt o kick off hay el peligro latente de que puede haber un regreso para Touchdown lo que antes no suced�a ni con el "gran" coach Vrabel que tantos extra�an y que solo utilizo a los TITANS para alcanzar su objetivo de ser coach de los pats, coach tuvo demasiados errores que le costaron la salida de los TITANS lastima que la se�ora Amy Adams no se di� cuenta antes y lo dejo m�s tiempo y luego los resultados tan malos que tuvo, pero bueno ese es otro tema. Espero que los TITANS en los juegos que le restan se vea un avance tenemos muy buenos wide receiver novatos Dike, Ayomanor, solo necesitamos que la offensive L�ne abra huecos para los corredores que tenemos que son muy buenos si mejoramos el juego terrestre el juego aereo se nos va a dar siempre y cuando tengamos un plan de juego vertical y no chato como el que tenemos hoy con el coach Mccoy, urge cambiar al coach de QB es mal�simo llamando las jugadas. Ya para terminar espero que el GM haga un cambio radical en el equipo y la elecci�n del pr�ximo HC sea una persona primero que quiera estar en Nashville y que quiera al equipo como suyo que sienta el jersey de los TITANS en el corazon y pueda sacarle provecho a la plantilla de jugadores que tenemos y los que estan por llegar. Espero ya no ver a MOORE, SNEAD, RIDLEY y a otros tantos que solo van a cobrar queremos jugadores que realmente quieran y se sientan identificados con el equipo. TITANS UP!!!!
Jim: Hola Héctor. Bueno, parece que al menos lo pasaste bien antes del juego. Lamento que haya sido tan frustrante ver a este equipo. No es un muy buen equipo, y esa es la verdad. El equipo tiene la suerte de contar con seguidores leales como usted. Si las cosas van a mejorar, esta franquicia tendrá que realizar la contratación adecuada como entrenador en jefe y elegir mejores jugadores. El draft más reciente debería darte esperanza. Felices vacaciones
Robert Cabral from Tuscon, Arizona
Question: Hi JIM and Management! Will the Titans re-sign Joey Slye? #6 #kicker
I am a loyal fan of the Tennessee Titans and greatly appreciate the dedication, effort, and vision that go into building a competitive roster each season. As a supporter who follows the team closely, I wanted to share my perspective regarding JOEY SLYE.
SLYE has consistently demonstrated leadership, performance on the field; 20/25 field goals, community involvement, reliability, growth as a player. Beyond statistics, he embodies the values and spirit that make the TITANS so special to its fans.
Many of us in the fan community strongly believe that extending Slye's contract would not only strengthen the roster but also reinforce the bond between the team and its supporters. Retaining a player of this caliber signals a commitment to both excellence and continuity.
Thank you for your time and consideration. No matter what decisions are made, I will continue to stand behind the TITANS and look forward to cheering them on this season and beyond.
Reward our kicker and resign him 5 years, $30 Million.
Loyal fan since 1999
Jim: I appreciate you taking the time, Robert. I'm sure Joey would endorse this message!
Have a great weekend everyone!
