NASHVILLE – How did the bye weekend get here already?
We're now eight games into the Titans season, with nine more to go.
Sitting here with a record of 1-7 isn't what anyone had in mind, but here we are, nowhere to go but up.
With no football this weekend, still interested in a weekend Titans mailbag?
Well, here ya go ...
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Randy L from Yorktown, Virginia
Question: Hey Jim! Thanks for all you do and especially your fair reporting. I am writing during this bye week in major support of Cam Ward so I hope he peruses your mailbag. I am frustrated with all the criticism directed towards him. I was not in favor of drafting him at the time because I felt the team just wasn't ready and I wanted more draft capital but I feel like he has stood tall during these turbulent times. I watch all our games closely and see his well-publicized mistakes BUT I also see the good. One well-respected analysis mentioned that learning two offenses in two years was like learning the Chinese language one year and then French the next year. I also think he is trying hard to be a good soldier and run the offense the OC has designed. I think the coaching staff has had some missteps…the ones I see mainly are I think they should have had the offense play more in preseason (until they showed they could perform well) and they waited too long to open it up during the season. Everyone talks about being patient with young QBs but where is the patience in Tennessee? I have never heard Cam blame anything or anyone else and again I think he has stood tall with all the changes going on. Frankly, I've gotten to the point that I don't care as much about my team winning as I do to want Cam to play well so he doesn't get so much hate. Even with the missteps I'm in favor of keep this GM/Coach/QB trio together at least for another year but of course that also depends on the second half of the season. Unlike last season, you can see the progress. Again, thank you and I hope you are also able to enjoy some time off.
Jim: Thanks for chiming Randy. I know folks seem to be split on Cam, just like they're usually split on any young quarterback trying to prove himself. I've said this in here many times in the past: Steve McNair faced all kinds of criticism before he established himself. I still remember him getting booed loudly during the season opener in 1999 – the start of his fifth NFL season. Steve ultimately established himself, and he became a fan favorite. Cam showed on Sunday he has real potential, but what happened in one game doesn't guarantee anything. He's going to have to prove it again and again and again. Hopefully we'll have a better idea on how things are going by the end of this season, but as was the case with McNair, it takes time. Some guys don't pan out. I can't promise you how things will turn out for Cam, and it's a different time in the NFL these days – I can't see Cam getting as much time as McNair did. So, the clock is ticking, 24 games in.
Brayden Penrod from Carrollton, Ohio
Question: Hey Jim, with the shocking trade of our franchise defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons it has me worried about the futures of some other players on our team. Do you think we are going to continue to be sellers at the deadline? If so who else do you think could be getting traded from the team? I am also worried that we are going to give up on Cam Ward sometime this season. I think we should continue to build around him and allow him to develop but I am worried the front office is going to lose patience with him. I really like Cam and want him to reach his full potential and succeed in Nashville.
Jim: Hey Brayden. Well, we'll find out soon – the trade deadline is Tuesday. The Simmons trade happened fast, because the Bears came out of nowhere and offered two first-round picks. GM Mike Borgonzi said he wasn't trying to trade Simmons, and he said not long ago he's not actively shopping anyone else. But, as we saw with the Simmons trade, things can happen fast, and nothing can be ruled out.
Israel Labastida from Vancouver, Canada
Question: Hi Jim. I hope you're doing well. I've been an Oilers/Titans fan for 42 years—practically since I was born. Even though we've never won anything, I've always enjoyed watching my team.
Right now, I'm very confused, angry, and sad. I still don't know what to think about our team or the people making the decisions, but it's clear that they've lost their way. You're making it impossible for me to even understand this sport anymore. It's painful to watch other teams prepare and make decisions *to win now*—to win today—because they care about the present and want victories *immediately*. Our organization, meanwhile, makes decisions with an eye toward the future. Since 2022, we've been told that better times are coming, that the future will be brighter, and that our QB just needs to improve. I'm tired of that narrative; it rings as false as a seven-dollar bill. It's exhausting to watch the string of poor decisions. After finally parting ways with Brian C., and with most of the season still ahead, the team chose to wait until January—ostensibly to secure the best available head coaching candidate—but look at our (1-7) record now. It's clear that, for you—or whoever is making these decisions—time isn't a priority. I don't just see a 1-6 record; those of us who love this team see a record that's been in the making since 2022.
In light of this, I have two questions:
1. What should be more important for a football team: doing whatever is necessary to spark a turnaround and start securing wins, or continuing to give your QB time to develop, even when those wins never materialize?
2. If the season ends with, at most, four wins, will the organization stick with the current head coach, or will you head in a different direction? I ask this because of Brian C.'s recent experience.
To wrap up, I didn't like Big Jeff's move—another move made with THE FUTURE in mind, the same old rhetoric. I wish him the best with the Bears!
I hope my Titans make their opponents work hard for every win—at least, that's what I'm hoping for.
Jim: Well Israel, I sure don't have the power to make these decisions. I'm just the guy who does the mailbag. I don't blame you for being upset and frustrated – this rebuilding process, or stretch of losing football, has been going on for too long.
Two answers:
One: I'm all for playing Cam, and putting yourself in a position to know whether he's the future or not. If that costs you a few wins along the way, I'm OK with that during a season that, let's face it, isn't going to end with a trip to the playoffs.
Two: I can't see a scenario where Robert Saleh is not retained after this year. When the team is winning, I know some fans want people fired. Then I hear from others who say the team isn't winning because they keep firing coaches and GMs. Saleh is going to get more than one year.
Rick Foltz from Harrisburg, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim. Been awhile, hope you're doing well. I've been watching this team closely and they aren't playing as bad as their record. The problem is no QB leadership. Cam needs to earn that. Sunday is the first time he has used his legs. He can use them so much more but he continues to be determined to be a pocket passer.. I think the team needs to sit him a few games and let him watch what he needs to learn. Honestly next year's QB draft is weak and to step back and create another project isn't the answer.. He needs to use his legs and take the hits to earn this team's respect. Please give me some insight on this please.
Jim: Hey Rick. I don't agree the problem is QB leadership. The problem, in some games, has been QB play, or poor play from the offense as a whole. But the problem in other weeks has turnovers, the defense, etc. I know a lot of people who were encouraged by what they saw from Cam against the Bengals. He's obviously going to need to show more of that to win folks like you over. It makes no sense to me to sit him.
Bob Luciano from Huntersville, North Carolina
Question: If Cam Ward matures into a solid NFL QB, the Titans are 2 years away from being great. The Jeffery Simmons trade was necessary. We should build a strong team with young high draft picks. What do you feel is another good option for the Titans to do short term to ensure long term success?
Jim: Well, I wouldn't trade Tony Pollard, and that's just me talking. If you're trying to put Cam in a position to be successful, it doesn't make much sense to take away a guy who enhances his chances of being successful.
Hector Hernandez from Teziutlan, Puebla, Mexico
Question: Que tal Jim buena tarde!! Yo aqu� sentado en el aeropuerto esperando el vuelo de regreso a M�xico, fijate que ayer domingo dia del juego lo vivimos con muchas emociones, el primer drive ofensivo de los Titans fue muy solido,consistente con jugadas que le facilitaban las cosas a Ward y termino con la carrera para anotacion de Pollard, creo que mas de un fan de los Titans es lo que queremos ver cada semana de juego.
Tambien estoy muy contento con la actuacion de Gunnar Helm su mejor partido como pro, Chim, Elic, Pollard jugaron muy bien, Slye a estado muy certero. Defensivamente la gran actuacion de Hooker, Martin con dos sacks, Barton estuvo muy activo.
Pero ahora quiero pasar a lo que nos mantiene con record por perdedor y unos de los peores de la liga, no es posible no encuentro logica que la defensa le haya dado a su ofensiva, 3 intercepciones, 3 sacks, un fumble recuperado y ni con eso se pudo ganar. Asi como vi jugadas buenas de la ofensa como ocuparon a Helm tambien vi llamadas de jugadas horribles que no entiendo porque fueron mandadas una de esas pesimas llamadas mandada por el Daboll fue esa jugada que nos costo el safety, llegamos dos veces a zona roja y solo se obtuvieron 6 puntos producto de two fields goal. En la l�nea ofensiva se ve el trabajo del coach Brincillo en el juego del domingo Moore y Latham lo hicieron bien al igual que el Center, Mafi trabajando en el right guard jugo muy bien y ya que decimos de nuestro mejor liniero Peter Skoronski siempre jugando a un high level. Se noto mucho las lesiones de Latham y Skoronski lo que bajo el nivel de la linea y por ah� vino el sack a Ward que nos sac� de rango de field goal y muy probable de obtener la segunda victoria de la temporada. Pese a todo esto de los errores y malas llamadas de la ofensiva, nuestra defensa permitio 510 yardas y en los momentos m�s cruciales del partido no puede dar ese extra y frenar a la ofensa contraria. Sigo muy molesto con jugadores que no estan y no han demostrado su entrega hacia los Titans. Estoy contento porque el domingo pude conocer a una persona que es muy profesional en su trabajo y que siempre nos mantiene enterados sobre las actividades que realizan los Titanes esa persona a la que me refiero aguanta (desafortunadamente) desde hace 3 temporadas mails de aficionados molestos por actuaciones malas de los Titans, esa persona a la que me refiero la conoci personalmente el domingo en el campo de los bengals y me pude dar cuenta de que es excelente persona, amable, educada y ahora puedo decir que es mi amigo esa persona es Jim Wyatt. Gracias Jim y Titans Up!!!
Jim: Hola, Héctor. Fue un gusto conocerte a ti y a tu familia en el partido. Elegiste un gran encuentro para asistir en Cincinnati; ¡estuvo muy entretenido! Lamento que terminara en derrota. Aun así, pudiste ver a Cam —y a otros jugadores— tener una buena actuación. Debo decir que coincido contigo respecto a la entrega retrasada del balón en la zona de anotación; ¡a mí tampoco me gustó nada esa jugada! Agradezco tus amables palabras, Héctor, y gracias por llamarme para conocerte a ti y a tu maravillosa familia. ¡Gracias por escribir siempre, y espero que nos volvamos a ver pronto! ¡Te deseo mucha suerte!
Fort Gwinn from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Do you think that Tate's absence for the Bengals game made a difference? It seems like Cam was forced to spread his targets around to a lot of other receivers.
Jim: Hey Fort. If you're asking me if I thought that helped things, the answer is no. Carnell returning will only make the offense better. I just hope Daboll continues to be aggressive, and gives everyone a chance. I've been wanting to see more passed to Gunnar Helm and Chimere Dike all season. I think what we saw in Cincinnati was a more aggressive game plan, one that allowed Cam to do more. I think he showed he's capable of doing more than he had been.
Blake Collins from Saltville, Virginia
Question: Hey Jim thanks for doing the mailbag. I read it every week..As im sitting here watching the bears-seahawks game I noticed how good Big Jeff is doing..I mean he done great for us as well but got me thinking. look at the players that we have had/drafted that has been traded off or let go and they are all successful. I mean I could sit here and name all them but it would make us all sick..Bud ill say it .. we have a major front office problem..we have played ring around the roses with management so much even coaches turned us down. But as a true fan since I wacthed Wycheck latteral it back to Dyson for 6 I will contuine to support and pull for my team through the bad ...Instead of firing coaches/gm every 2 yrs wonder if it would work to let them stay a little while and get this thing figured out? ...I mean thats the only thing left to try bud..have a good one!
Jim: I hear ya, Blake. I agree consistency is needed moving forward, but some of the changes in recent years needed to be made to put the franchise in a better position to be successful.
Melanie Rogers from Lexington, South Carolina
Question: What is wrong with the Titans? They have only won one game. I think that they need a better coach. I'm very disappointed in them.
Jim: Not mad, but disappointed? I've heard this line before …
Nick Bennett from Toledo, Ohio
Question: Hey Jim, I am shocked about the Simmons trade. Jeffrey Simmons has been the face of the franchise and a great-caliber player. My question is: Do you think the Titans will make more deals as the trade deadline comes up.
Jim: See my answer to Brayden above. Stay tuned.
Pam Saldana from Donelson, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. The Titans are beleaguered, no doubt, but they battled hard against a good Cincinnati team and made some strides despite the loss. In other words, they're improving. Cam Ward is improving. They are beginning to ascend and are learning to win. But in order to do so they must first cut down on errors. Once they do that, they must learn to overcome the errors they will inevitably make. I don't expect a winning season but they should be able to win at least four or five games and keep the losses to a ten point deficet or less.
I can be patient as long as they are ascending, but if they fall off the cliff again then the writing on the new stadium will be clear. These coaches will have to go and the Cam Ward experiment will have failed.
Jim: Thanks for chiming in Pam!
Have a great weekend everyone!
