NASHVILLE – It's been an eventful week.
Now, it's time to play a football game.
The Titans return to action on Sunday against the Patriots at Nissan Stadium.
Let's dive into the mailbag to talk about the past, present, and future.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Alex Legall from Tampa, Florida
Question: Jim, I am a long-standing Titans fan but I must say, the presser by the president and GM did not instill confidence. Here's for me the reason. They repeatedly said two things:
1. Brian Callahan is a very good coach.
2. Their process for finding a coach was a good one and essentially will be used this time around.
To me, if Brian Callahan is a good coach but by every objective measure he failed with the Titans, then it would suggest something is wrong with the structure or support around him that did not help him live up to that potential.
If on the other hand he was not right for the job because he did not have the experience for the task at hand, then that suggests a flawed evaluation process since it called for someone with experience building an organization/culture etc more than just being "a good coach."
In both cases, this squarely falls on the two people (president and GM) responsible for either of those issues. So for me, them now rinsing and repeating what was done before and hoping for a different result is not something I have a lot of confidence in. Duly noted the GM is new but nothing in that presser suggested different ideas being incorporated. What am I missing?
Jim: Hey Alex. Thanks for writing in.
Keep in mind Brinker and Borgonzi liked Brian Callahan. They weren't going to sit up there and disparage him. I saw some folks say they've seen hostage videos that have looked more upbeat than that press conference. What would folks have said if they sat up there yucking it up?
And while the process might remain the same in finding the next head coach, I do think there will be a different mindset, including the type of coach the team is looking for this time around. And definitely don't lose sight of the fact Mike Borgonzi will be involved. He's a very key piece in righting the ship.
Trey Tobias from Tampa, Florida
Question: Hey Jim. Lifelong Titan, first time mailbagger.
My question for you is: what is this team doing to build a winning culture? All I ever see come out of the coaches and managements mouth is "we need to play better" or "we have to all do our job and execute"…. all while having selfish/stupid penalties and unforced errors each and every Sunday.
Every successful team seems to constantly preach about discipline, accountability, effort, commitment, togetherness, etc. It feels like this organization has no idea what tangibles are needed to win football games, but rather shows up on Sunday hoping to play well. If you have any insight or comments on how the Titans are trying to improve on this front, I'd appreciate it!
Jim: Hey Trey. I think the team is in the early stages of trying to rebuild a winning culture, which hasn't been in place for a while. It's why coaches and GMs have been fired, players have been traded, and why you're seeing the focus shift to draft and develop. It's going to take some time. But the best way to develop a winning culture is by, well, winning. And as everyone has seen in Nashville and across the NFL, the Titans haven't been doing a lot of it lately. Players have to perform, management has to put the right people, whether it's players or coaches, in place, and the coaches hired need to maximize the talent. I know everyone is sick and tired of hearing about it, and they want results. I can promise you folks are trying. Don't be a stranger.
Dave Stalder from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Question: Hey Jim, long time no speak. Holding up? Titans had me wanting therapy so I turtled for a while, but then we got Ward and I found hope, but then that last coach tried to get him killed, tried to turn a racehorse into a draft horse. Think you guys can find someone to keep Ward alive for the rest of the season? Just asking.
Ward!!
Stupid media and NFL fans, all piling on. "Cam Wards's a bust already!" 🙄 Could Joe Montana have lead this team? Put a uniform on Gen Patton, he couldn't lead this team. Mistake pissing him off; seeing he's not the kind of guy to quit. He's the kind of guy gets his butt kicked in a bar, ribs cracked, nose broken, teeth missing, lands in the dirt outside, climbs to his feet, spits some teeth, says "#|{%^…>~}#%^!," and charges back inside. Except he seems a little busy at the moment to enjoy the bar crowd. Just saying. Take care!
Jim: It has been a while, Dave. Calling Cam a bust at this point is crazy. Has he played great? No. And he'd be the first to tell you. But the young man has ability, and he has the desire. He needs to be better, but the team needs to be a heck of a lot better around him.
David Rooke from Melbourne, Australia
Question: I am a Titans fan from way back to the oilers days, supporting the team from a distance, actually half way around the world. I am not about to criticize the team, attack any player or administrator and I have confidence in the people that make the decisions. My plea to the Titans organisation, can we please please please protect cam so that he can perform, and show us how good he is! so the clear priority has to be the offensive line!!
My question: Are we going to support "the generational talent" that is Cam Ward?
Jim: G'day, David. The answer to that is that's the plan. I think the o-line in place now is capable, it just needs to be better, and more consistent. He also needs more help at the skill positions. And I'd like to see the team let him play more. Enough of these three straight handoffs to start a game.
Neil Martindale from Bridlington, United Kingdom
Question: Hi Jim, love the mailbag, great job. I would just like to say how I became an oilers/ Titans fan. It was 83/84 American football highlights show, I had no idea what was going on.if you want to enjoy something you need a team to support, I picked the oilers because they were the worst team, my reasoning being they can only get better. They did. Amidst all the doom and gloom we will turn a corner, we have a good qb, a decent defence . There is enough there to give me hope that we can turn a corner. My question is , we need Cam Ward on his feet, how do we improve the o line in the short term ? Can we can anyone in before trade deadline? Titan Up. Sorry about the length .
Jim: Cheerio, Neil! I actually think this o-line is capable. That doesn't mean I don't think it can get better moving forward. JC Latham had a bad game in Vegas, but he can be better. The Titans could help matters by producing more on first and second down, and being less predictable from a play-calling standpoint. I'm not expecting the team to trade for an offensive lineman.
Anthony Anthamatten from Springfield, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Wanted to extend my condolences to your for the loss of your dad. As a long time fan I am not giving up on our team. Like some great great Cubs fans I know said "We sucked for years before we won a World Series again." It's a process. Be patient. I believe the Titans will be great again.
Jim: Thanks Anthony.
Toperasu Chirandu from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Question: Hi Jim. Phew, we expected this. It is a relief. This office was just too big for Callahan. Good luck to his new endeavors. There is too much talk about trading Jeff Simmons. Please, I pray, let the team desist. We should, instead give him the keys to the city and build around him. We cannot be the perennial training ground of talent. I know it is a business-- let us remember all the talent we gave to other teams where they are performing well. What return did it get us? We are building, and JS is a vital part of that rebuilding. I think the team has most of the parts that, with good management, can be tuned and turned into a good product. Can you give your thoughts on this.
Jim: Hey Toperasu. I'm with you on this – I would not trade Jeffery Simmons.
Raymond Farrar from St. Louis, Missouri
Question: Hello, J. W.! I'm sure you've read about a thousand emails about Callahan. Here's my question: As the trade deadline approaches, do you see any Titans being traded for draft picks or possibly acquiring some veteran players?
Jim: As the trade deadline approaches, trading players for draft picks seems a lot more likely than acquiring veteran players.
Tom Johnson from Wichita, Kansas
Question: When do they plan on brushing off the wasp nest and moving the new stadium live cam? We're just watching a wall and a wasp breeding program at this point.
Jim: I went up there the other day and got stung! … The plan is to move it to a different location, but at least it's working again. It was frozen for a few weeks. Here's the new Nissan Stadium construction link for those who haven't seen it: https://www.earthcam.net/projects/new\_Nissan\_Stadium_construction/.
James Branigan from Georgia
Question: Hey Jim, former season ticket holder here and predicted down turn after Vrabel firing and season ticket renewal debacle moving towards new stadium opening. We'll never see a home game dominate crowd without an excellent head coach hire for 2026 and beyond. Mike McCarthy is a proven winner and great personality that can command a franchise and cultivate culture that is sorely needed to make our Titans a contender with Super Bowl aspirations. What ya think ??
Jim: Hey James. I feel like I need to point out there hasn't been a season ticket debacle heading into the new stadium. There have been no issues in that regard – ticket sales have been great for the new stadium. If you're talking about the current stadium, then your take is probably more accurate, based on all the empty seats. ... McCarthy has been a popular name thrown out there by a lot of people. Right now, we have no idea what other jobs will be open, and who else could become a candidate. Keep in mind the next head coach won't be hired until January.
Eli Decko from Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Question: I'm guessing the front office has been reading my emails. I'll coach the team too. Look, I know I'm controversial and that is a good thing. I see it for what it is. Mike McCoy is not the guy and for the remainder of the season when we have 3 total wins, it will be 300% more than I expected. Gruden needs to be brought in. That is a must. The soft cushy Titans I do believe are going to be a bad thing. Jeffrey Simmons finally said what I've been saying and ESPN and NFL writers saying he could be traded is the dumbest thing I've ever read. This dude is a Vrabel guy and a tough guy. He has balls and he needs to be there. Plain and simple. I knew from day 1 "Cally" wasn't the fix and I wrote you about it. Just like Ran Carthon, and him getting Vrabel fired, will forever set us back. In his first season for NE he has this team looking different and they are young with a second year QB, which the Titans should have drafted last year and this year the QB the Titans should have taken, which I also mentioned, is in NY playing for the Giants. Cam Ward is not the guy. The last game of his in Miami was the ultimate teller of such. To watch your team lose and you're healthy, that is not NFL level and it is not Leadership. Jameis Winston is what the Titans need right now. Give Ward a nice warm seat on the bench. Next year, open competition between him and Levis, which I'm not high on Levis either, but I know he will outperform Ward, cuz Levis wants it more. I was at the game when Levis flexed on TJ Watt in Pittsburgh. I was there for the first time in Heinz Field History that they cut off Renegade mid hype cuz Levis converted. That is because Levis is a DOG. And guess who really liked Levis, Jon Gruden! I bet my house, my salary, and my future salary if they hire Gruden he will teach Levis pro football. He will tailor the offense to his strengths as a good coach does. He will run plays that use the players strengths to become team strengths. He will also bring a mentality of ALPHA not this weak Beta crap Ran Carthon and Cally introduced to the team. Yes, firing Vrabel will forever go down as a fail. It was not his fault the team was the most injured in football his last 3 seasons. Injuries happen. No team has ever played that many players per season. It isn't his fault the team was in over its head in the front office as far as salary cap management. He was the coach, not the GM or Players Agent. He was a leader though and those guys played tough for him. He didnt want Dennis Daley or Andre Dillard. The two worst tackles we ever had before signing the Joke we have now in Dan Moore Jr. Pass this along to the front office. You'll be rewarded handsomely from my guess. I'm a fan still. An unhappy one, but still a fan. I have endless respect for you, cuz I bet you actually love this team too. You still put your best foot forward and respect the team and us fans. Help us help the Titans fix this team. Jon Gruden for Coach next season. Trust me. Please.
Jim: Well, I did hear a rumor Gruden has been spotted in Tennessee…
John Williams from Chanhassen, Minnesota
Question: With the Titans trading Pollard to the Patriots, who is next up behind Tyjae Spears? I'm in a 16 team league straight scoring league and am wondering if Kalel Mullings will be in the mix the second half of the season or will that go to Julius Chestnut. Curious to know your thoughts. Thank you, John
Jim: You're going to be surprised when you turn that game on tomorrow and see Pollard in a Titans uniform… I do anticipate Spears having more of a role moving forward. I don't like giving fantasy football advice, but I would steer you away from taking the team's No.3 running back.
Kyle Robinson from St. Louis, Missouri
Question: Hi Jim, I hope you're doing well! How involved was Mike McCoy in the offense prior to being named interim HC / how much do you expect the offense to change? It seems like people are really downplaying the impact McCoy could potentially bring to the team (notably to Cam Ward). When McCoy was with the Chargers, Philip Rivers' completion percentage & passing success rate both improved, and his TD's were consistently around his career high.
It seems like most of the fan base & analysts want a second-stint head coach as the next hire…why not consider McCoy full time?
Jim: McCoy was involved, but he'll certainly have more freedom to make changes now. We'll see how things go from here. It's hard for me to predict, and I certainly can't share what I've seen in practice, other than this triple reverse they've been working on has been executed to perfection! And get ready to see a return of the old Statue of Liberty play! It had been a while since I'd see that!
Doug Curtiss from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Like you, I lost my dad a few months ago. Grief is complicated and hits us at weird and unexpected times. My dad loved the Titans and had the original PSL tickets. Brian Callahan reminded me of myself when I helped my dad repair our family cars as a teenager: I would hold the flashlight while dad did the real work. If I had to figure out what to really do and dad was holding the flashlight, things would have gotten messy. Callahan was a flashlight holder in his years as OC for Cincy and in his previous years. When it came time to do the real work, he wasn't ready. He just seemed to not be big enough for it. He seems like a good dude but it just didn't work out. I wish him luck.
Jim: Appreciate it, Doug. My dad loved the Titans, too. He was an original PSL holder, in Section 133. I used to wave at him every game from my seat in the press box, when Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues was played in between the third and the fourth quarter. That was our cue. He had to move back to the handicap section, and out of my sight, in recent years, but I'd go see him at the half when I could. It's not the same on Sundays without him. Hang in there. I'm sorry about your dad, too.
Tim Berman from Boulder, Colorado
Question: Hey Jim, when are Titans hiring Dan Campbell?
Jim: You do know he's still coaching the Lions, right?
Jim Williams from Lubbock, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. Hopefully, Mike McCoy will get a fair shot to be the permanent head coach. But if the team does fire him at season's end, the new HC should be an offensive minded coach who has been an NFL head coach before. The two names that should be foremost in that group are Mike McCarthy and Doug Pederson. Each won a Super Bowl and has a track record of success. But, if management wants to suddenly become a high profile brand and be the leading story on Sportscenter every night, then the job should be offered to Bill Belichick. He would create a media frenzy in Tennessee that would cause Titan merchandise sales to skyrocket. Only Deion Sanders can rival Belichick's ability to draw national media coverage, but he has no NFL head coaching experience. What do you think, Jim? Could Bill Belichick possibly be the next Titans' head coach?
Jim: Hey Jim. Belichick also currently still has a job.
Chuy Cano from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: Did I call it Mr. Jim or did i call it from my post u nicely posted on Tuesday's mailbag...Breaking News...Titans fire Callahan. I think next up is Titans have the #1 pick in the draft. I love my Titans Jim....Ward seems to have a good thing going on with McCoy from what I've read. Just that o-line Jim.....its pretty gnarly. Well hope 4 the best...I think Vrabel is gonna have a good win. I liked him I know fans liked him as well...hope he has a good welcome back. Titans up baby!
Jim: Hope all is well, Chuy.
Bob Galasso from Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Question: Hi Jim. I know there has been alot of negativity and criticism directed at the team so far this year and it has been disappointing so far. I didn't expect to be 6-0 at this point in the season but sitting at 1-5 really surprised me as well.
I know the team is working hard to turn things around, as is the front office starting with Miss Amy as evident of letting Coach Callahan go... surprising move in the middle of the season. However, there are a couple of questions that I have for you...
1. The offensive line doesn't appear to be much better than last year, and Ward seems to be getting hit and sacked way too much. Is there in your opinion anything that the coaching staff can do to stop the bleeding until the next draft takes place?
2. I know Cam Ward is a rookie quarterback and is learning each week, but in your opinion do you think that he's behind where you would think he would be? He seems to be holding the ball too long going through his progressions which contributes to the sacks he's taking as a result...
3. Our receiving corps remains an issue with Ridley and Lockett's numbers down below where they should be. Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor have been nice surprises. Chig Okonkwo and Gunner Helm have been productive at TE, so why not run more two TE sets ?
4. The last question is why not bring Xaiver Restrepo back to inject some life into the WRs?
Regardless of where we end up this year, I will always be a die-hard Titans Fan, which is hard to do living in Steelers Country. Lol Oh...and I don't want to close out until I say "How about those Dodgers!
Jim: Hey Bob. I'll attack this in rapid-fire fashion:
1- Being better on first and second down would help pass protection on third down.
2- I think Cam has had a tough few weeks, but I think he'll get better.
3- I've been saying for a while I'm on board playing Gunnar Helm more.
4- At some point, I could see this happening. The kid is busting it in practice, I promise you that.
Sean Kelley from Smyrna, Delaware
Question: Hi Jim. Wow that was one way to take the spot light off Vrabel.
It's funny how the national media or people with platform calling for Cally to be fired.
Then act shocked when it happens and switch to bash Front Office blah blah blah.
In reality what ever the reason, it was not working. Who knows maybe this is the spark.
If not we start over next year.
I think Art Smith earned shot with franchise. I imagine if he was here when Vrabes left We would have turned to Smith.
Mike McCarthy would basically ensure keeping Fassel, so I like that.
They don't need to do massive turn over every stone looking for next up and coming hot shot.
Eddie with a top OC would fill that new stadium
All the best!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Sean.
Eric Biederman from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I wanted to get your thoughts on potential trade prospects ahead of the trade deadline. Do you see a possibility that someone like Jeffrey Simmons or Roger McCreary could be traded? Simmons would fetch 2 first-round picks and a replacement-level DT at the very minimum. Not saying we should, but I find it hard to believe the front office wouldn't even consider something like that. Maybe a guy like L'Jarius Sneed that hasn't played like he did in KC as he has in his tenure here? Tony Pollard now that Spears is back? Thanks!
Jim: Hey Eric. I would not trade Jeffery Simmons. I'd listen to offers on a lot of others.
Helen McLaughlin from Brentwood, Tennessee
Question: What can be done to improve fan participation at Nissan Stadium. I have traveled to Detroit, Seattle, Houston, and just got back from Las Vegas and we just don't have the fan culture other clubs have. The closest we have come is the old "Go Titans Go! from and the Pain Train. We need something that everybody knows and cheers beyond the Ring of Fire (which I love) and the first down chant that hardly anyone does or understands. The Raiders had a drum beat to get everyone to yell defense that the Blue Crew could easily record. I know that the last several seasons have been tough but we need to build a fan culture especially if we want the new stadium to rock. Based on my experience at Allegiant, it's going to be easy to be loud and our PR team needs to start developing common cheers for fan participation.
Jim: Hi Helen. I'll tell you what might improve fan participation: Scoring touchdowns. I've seen - and heard - plenty of cheers and chants at Nissan Stadium. I don't think the team is lacking in that regard. Giving fans something to cheer about is a different matter. That's been the problem.
Harry Prentiss from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Question: Jim, had to take some time to digest the Callahan dismissal. Until I retired to South Carolina last year I lived in Pennsylvania and rooted since 1965 for both the Oilers/Titans and Penn State and saw both our coaches fired a day apart. When I started rooting for the franchise George Blanda was the QB so I've seen some good, some bad and some ugly for the last 60 years. What bothered me the most about Callahan's tenure was that he never seemed to have the team prepared to do their best let alone win and most bothersome was he was tentative in his decision making. Whether it was having a timeout to decide what to do on 4th and 1 against Indy then having a delay because as was a custom of his he didn't have a play ready to run, or having a rookie quarterback throw 3 times instead of running down the clock with a lead against a superior defense in Denver, he never made the decision that helped his team have a chance to win let alone to pull it off. As a person who was in management for over 40 years you must be able to lead especially in turbulent times and he never was. I hoped getting rid of play calling would help but he was unable to run the team efficiently and most troubling couldn't instill any discipline in their play. There's a talent shortfall in this team but there's no way they should be this bad and that falls on the boss. Let's hope the football guys in this organization get the hire right this time and that Miss Amy lets them do so. Thanks for keeping us informed and for letting me ramble.
Jim: Thanks for jumping back in here, Harry! You make some fair points, and observations.
Have a great weekend everyone!
