INDIANAPOLIS – It's been a whirlwind of a week here at the NFL Combine.
It seems like it's been two weeks since Titans GM Ran Carthon and HC Brian Callahan met with reporters here in Indy, but that was just Tuesday.
Since, player interviews and workouts have been ongoing, along with meetings.
I took a break to check my inbox, and found some questions.
So, here's a quick Titans mailbag …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Randy Martinez from West Covina, California
Question: Hello Jim, I hope all is well with you and the family. Given the recent NFL salary cap increase, how much do the Titans have to spend and where does that rank amongst the rest of the league? Thanks for all you do!
Jim: It's a fluid situation, Randy, one that changes each day and week across the league because of players being cut, or signed. The Titans rank among the top teams in the league with cap room. Right now, it's somewhere around $78 million.
Mark Owen from Hollow Rock, Tennessee
Question: Keep Henry. Why not get rid of Willis? Explain to me why Henry is on the chopping block.
Jim: Henry is not on the "chopping block." His contract is up. And, Willis isn't guaranteed to be on the roster himself.
Dick Weber from Winchester, Tennessee
Question: Jim, Almost all mock drafts or top ten drafts have the Titans picking either a wide receiver or offensive tackle. it seems simple to me that you would draft the position that has the fewest quality depth in the first round, and pick the position in the second round with the most depth. i keep hearing that this draft is loaded at wide receiver. a quality tackle in the first round makes the most sense to me. wide receiver gets a lot of attention, but remember where we picked some of our beat players, the second round! Also, what would it take to move up in some of the later rounds (4-6) to get a top defensive player. we have 3 7th round picks to add to trade value. What is your take?
Jim: My take is we really won't know this team's biggest needs are until after free agency. These mock drafts are silly now, because they're going to change dramatically across the NFL once teams start filling holes in March. We'll have a better idea of what the Titans – and every other team – need in April.
Jason Patey from California
Question: Does Miss Amy and Ran understand that 10 out of 10 Titans fans want Derick Henry back in Tennessee? Have they thought about how much we enjoy watching him make plays. 9 out of 10 Titans fans have a 22 jersey. Thats a lot! It will be difficult to watch Titans football without Henry. In the recent years that we struggled, we all turned in to watch Derick Henry. With a good OL he is still the best RB in the league.
Jason Patey - Lov Ya Blue since 1972
Jim: Hey Jason. You'll never get me to say anything bad about Derrick Henry. He's a consummate pro, on and off the field. And while I know there's no one out there ready to see him go, I hear from a lot of fans who understand why it could be headed that direction with a new regime, a changing offense, and Henry getting a chance to test the market for the first time in his career.
Logan Stanley from Xenia, Ohio
Question: What is your guess on the 24-25 season record?
Jim: 17-0. … JK, way too early to say. Heck, we don't even know who is going to be on the team yet.
Todd S from Los Angeles, California
Question: Hi Jim. Rumors are swirling that the Vikings might make Justin Jefferson available. Should Titans pull the trigger if they have the opportunity? I know Titans need to rebuild the O-line but this team lacks certain level of talent and receivers like JJ don't always become available.
Jim: This is a pipe dream, Todd.
Frank Huerta from Kyle, Texas
Question: Hello Jim I'm excited for next years football year I think we made some good decisions on coaching hires . I'll get straight to the question: Do think its possible they make Henry a 1 or 2 year deal ?I sure hope so he's still got a lot left in his and alot to still finish with the Titans. Let's Go Titan Up!
Jim: Anything is possible, I guess. But I'm bracing for life without Derrick Henry on the Titans. And, by the way Derrick Henry handled himself leading up to — and after – the regular season finale vs Jacksonville told me he's doing the same.
Ben Mead from Cherry Valley, New York
Question: Hey Jim. My question is about this off-season and the pieces that need to be added around Will Levis. There is a lot of talk about drafting a WR in the first round to replace under productive Treylon Burks. Do you think that a TE is also a possibility to replace Chig Okonkwo after his disappointing regression? Young QBs always seem to thrive with a big target across the middle. I wonder if Brock Bowers would be just as big an addition as any WR? I'd like to hear your thought on this strategy as well as if you think the TE will be a big part of Brian Callahan's offensive philosophy?
Jim: Hey Ben. I think Brock Bowers is an outstanding prospect, and a serious matchup problem for defense. I just can't see the Titans taking him at No.7, with so many other needs. I asked former Titans tight end Delanie Walker, who is working with the tight ends as a mentor here in Indy, about it and he provided some interesting perspective in this story: CLICK HERE. Spoiler alert: Delanie doesn't see it either. (P.S.: I reserve the right to change my mind in six weeks, depending on what happens between now and then).
Bud Stein from Jacksonville, Tennessee
Question: Good Morning Jim. hope you are doing well. My last email didn't make the mailbag I figure because I asked honest questions about mgmt. always saying one thing then doing another. How they get rid of key players coaches year in year out over and over yet say want a competitive team a contending team. Where is it?? Show me where all those players traded let go made the team better Its all about the money and I don't mean for upgrading the team! Doesn't any Titan fan let alone long term fans holding on hope have a right to HONEST answers instead of fake answers to fill the seats I guess NOT
Respectfully
Jim: Bud, your tone in the last few emails makes it sound like you're miserable down there. You need to get out of Duval. I have no idea what you're talking about regarding your last email. Since you asked for an example: Trading Kevin Byard made the franchise better, whether you liked that move or not. The Titans got two draft picks for Byard, who played two months in Philadelphia before being released on Friday. Had he finished last year in Nashville, the same thing would've happened. It's called a business decision. Respectfully.
Have a great weekend everyone.
