NASHVILLE – We're now less than a week before the start of Titans training camp.
Report date: July 22.
First practice: July 23.
This weekend's mailbag: Now.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Here we go…
Damiyon Singleton from Denver, Colorado
Question: Hello, Jim! Thank you for allowing my submission. Jim, I have a two part question.
I've been a fan since the Moon days. We've seen plenty of QB's come through the Oilers/Titans organization. To be honest, the good ones really provided hope & prosperity to our team. Moon, McNair, VY, Collins, Mariota, and Tannehill all led us to dominate teams during their timelines. I'm asking your opinion, from your viewpoint, what are your initial thoughts on the longterm progression of Cam Ward?
My favorite Titan player of all time was the late Steve McNair, he still is my favorite player and I wish I had the opportunity to meet him. However, Cam has been compared to McNair; I was uneasy the 1st time I heard the comparisons, but I understand Cam will never replace #9 in our hearts/memories. I love to see the calm nature of Cam and that is, from distance, what I see that compares to McNair. From your viewpoint, do you feel Cam reminds you of a great that roamed our fields and what things does Cam exude that strengthen the comparisons (McNair to Ward)?
Thank you for your time, Jim! See you Sep. 7th, in Denver. I really hope we can be competitive. Broncos country are mad confident about a sure handed "W" when the Titans come to play. I hope we shock them, I'll be in section 120 rooting on them boys in blue.
"Luv Ya Blue"
Jim: Hi Damiyon. I can't say for sure about Cam's long-term progression. I can only speak to what I've seen of him so far, and it's all been positive. I like his work ethic, his mindset, and his ability. I've been impressed by him since the first day I met him, at his Pro Day in Miami. And, I think he's going to be really good. But he's going to have to keep working, and stay healthy. I got to know Steve well, and Cam's no-nonsense approach reminds me a lot of the way McNair was during his playing days. Keep in mind Steve McNair didn't really become Steve McNair until his fifth NFL season. The Titans are going to throw Cam right into the fire. You'll get to see his his debut on September 7. See ya there!
Richard Colestock from St Cloud, Florida
Question: Hi Jim, now that you're back from vacation and I'm recovered from Titans 2024, you will remember that I suggested in last November that the Titans should draft Ward and Restrepo to improve the team....and they did.....and they will!
I realize it will take more than those 2 to elevate the team to winning record we fans aspire it to but those 2 will DEFINITELY make some awesome plays for us!
It's a little dicey being a Titans fan, considering I'm sandwiched between Jags, Bucs and Dolphins fans I gotta stick with the boys in blue!
Thanks for ALL you do.....you make this outpost feel connected.
Jim: Hey Richard. Appreciate you jumping in here from time to time.
Aaron Krepel from Wanaque, New Jersey
Question: Hey Jim. I remember hearing Mike Keith and Amie Wells talk a lot about Vrabel's transition from year one to year two as a HC. How he grew in confidence and just seemed a lot more settled. At the end of year one, Brian Callaghan was pretty honest about the feedback he'd had from the team, talking about how he maybe spent too much time with the offensive guys since he was calling plays and it was what he knew. I was wondering what changes you've seen in him as a Head Coach in year two.
Jim: Hey Aaron. Coach Callahan has changed a lot with his approach, and I think he learned a bunch from his first NFL season. This offseason he put a big emphasis on building a more competitive, and closer, team. I think the vibes heading into the year are really good. And, I think he'll be a lot more prepared heading into his second NFL season.
James Essary from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Wassup Jim, I keep reading that Callahan has a chance of being fired if he don't really turn this team around this year and to be honest I don't see it. Except for the second game against the Texans and the Commanders game they were in most the games last year even with a horrible line and the receivers not named Ridley couldn't get open against a high school team. Not to mention Levis trying to bring back the rolling thunder play and having almost as many fumbles as he had TDs and he had one more TD then interception. Callahan had us in these games anyways and things completely out of his control is why we lost. I just don't understand the reports Carthon is the one that refused to fix the O line 2 years in a row while spending crazy money on the D. So do you believe from what you hear that Callahan doesnt have time, to be fair he just now got his guys. Shouldn't Mrs. Amy let Callahan, Borgonzi and Brinker cook for a couple years? Rome wasn't built in a day. Most good NFL teams except for the Texans and Commanders was built through consistency not blind luck.
Jim: Hey James. I'm not going to speculate about Callahan's job security in here. Do I think last year's 3-14 record was all on him? No. There were a lot of factors that contributed to last year's dreadful season, and there were a lot of changes in the offseason because of it. I also know this is a results-based league, and Callahan knows that. The team needs to show improvement, and win.
James Ferrell from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Do the rookies report to training camp at an earlier date like a few other teams or do all the players report to camp on July 22nd?
Jim: All players report on the 22nd. It's been a few years since the Titans had QBs and other players report a few days before the rest of the team, but this year it's all on the same day. The building will be hopping soon!
Joe P from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim, Hope you are having a great Summer and doing good. I've been a Miami Hurricanes since I was 10 yrs old, and I'm very excited about Cam, he was great last season at The U, WR Xavier Restrepo too. I know he ran a poor 40 time at the Combine, but he will be a Wes Welker, J Edleman type of WR in NFL too. You don't think we will cut him in Training Camp do you?
Jim: Competition will decide this, Joe. Restrepo has been good so far. In the five open practices during the offseason, he caught more passes than any of the team's receiver. But it's a deep group, and he's going to have to earn it. I mentioned Xavier in my training camp preview on receivers. CLICK HERE to read it.
Pamela Saldana from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim. It's that time of the year and I, as usual, am excited about the season--but it's a stymied enthusiasm. Last season sucked the preseason fervor out of me despite my realistic outlook. I thought the Titans would probably finish 7-9, 6-10...maybe 5-ll, but they'd be competitive. Wrong.
Of course, this is a new season and we have Cam Ward and what I believe to be an improved OL with the exception of LT, which is the most important position on the line. Yes, I know Dan Moore is durable. I'm afraid that's about all he his. For the life of me I can't understand why they'd give that much money to LT who gave up the most sacks in the league last season? Will he be better than the awful LT play of last season? Maybe, but I suspect such improvement would owe more to the inferior pass rushers of the AFC south (with the exception of Houston) than solid play from Dan Moore. Hope I'm wrong.
Another thing I'm concerned about is Callahan and Ward, that their styles are incompatible. Last season, Callahan seemed determined to fit a square peg, i.e., Will Levis, into a round hole. Vrabel and Tim Kelly were able to get more out of Levis with the play action game which complimented his deep ball threat. Callahan wants an emphasis of passing to RBs in the backfield, intermediate passing and timing plays. That wasn't Levis' style and I don't think it's Cam Ward's style either. Like Levis, Ward is a self described gunslinger. I think Ward is more versatile than Levis, has better mechanics and a quicker release, but he's an improvisational QB. I don't think Callahan favors that.
Jim: We'll get some of these answers in time, Pamela.
Have a great weekend everyone!
