NASHVILLE – Six OTAs are now in the books.
In the coming week, the Titans will conduct a three-day minicamp.
Then, a break before training camp.
The season is edging closer.
This weekend's Titans mailbag, well, it's here…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Matty McFall from North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Question: Hi Jim - enjoy your mailbag and 1st time writing. What are your thoughts on the identity of the Titans now and moving forward? I've been a lifelong fan Oilers/Titans my entire life and I think last season was the very first time I had zero idea of what their identity was, which was concerning…. Even with Coach V's last year they had a smash mouth identity. I'm sure Cam will be a big part of this, but how do you see Coach Cali and staff developing what the identity of the Titans will be? I'm pumped for the new changes made in front office so would like to know what your thoughts on how this team will be seen. Thanks and keep up the great work - TitanUp 🏆
Jim: Thanks, Matty. Good to hear from you. Well, I think the identity will be created in time. Everyone wants to talk about being tough and physical, and being able to play with an edge. But that's football, and I kind of think that should be a given. How Cam Ward performs – and how the offense takes off under his guidance – will go a long way in determining what this team will be known for moving forward. I think there's potential for this to be an exciting, likeable team, a group fans can get behind. But the team has to be able to do something it hasn't done a lot of in the past several years: Win.
Junior Daugherty from Danville, Connecticut
Question: Hey Jim. I'm ready for some Titans football already. Do you think Will Levis will be the starter and let Cam sit and get ready or will Cam come out of the gate firing on all cylinders? Titan Up
Jim: Hi Junior. I think Cam Ward will be the starter. Do I think he'll come out of the gate firing on all cylinders? Well, I think he's going to be a good one, but he's going to experience some ups and downs as well. In order for the upcoming season to be a memorable one, others are going to have to be good around him.
Tom Holler from Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Question: Hi, Jim! Thanks for all of the good information you share with us. I eagerly look forward to every Mailbag. I also appreciate the good humor you display in your responses to the ranters and naysayers.😁
I'm a transplanted Chicagoan and I still follow the Bears pretty closely. There seems to be a nice competition shaping up at left tackle between incumbent Braxton Jones and recent draft picks Kiran Amegadjie and Ozzy Trapilo. Jones is coming off a pretty nasty injury and will be playing on the last year of his rookie contract. He has yet to practice this off-season.
I'm wondering if Jones might be worth taking a chance on trading for him? I know the Titans have Dan Moore penciled in at LT. I don't know a whole lot about him except what I've read, and not all of it positive. I view Braxton Jones as a depth piece, who might also at some point give Moore a little push. He's been an average to above average LT for the Bears and if one of the other LT candidates wins the job, they're not going to want to pay him next year. It's a bit of a risk with him coming off the injury, but if healthy he could help.
Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I'm looking forward to week 1. TITAN UP!!!!!
Jim: Hi Tom. Appreciate you following along. I'd have to say this is doubtful. The team has high hopes for Dan Moore. The team likes his experience, and I talked to coach Bill Callahan about him this week, and he thinks the team can improve his technique and get even better results from him. I'm not going to rule out more acquisitions on the o-line, because with the top spot in the waiver wire process, there could be chances to upgrade. But I don't think the team is looking for options to take Moore's spot, and I don't think the team will be interested in giving up draft picks.
Nicholas Pfeifer from Needham, Massachusetts
Question: Hey Jim! I have 3 Titans players on my Dynasty Fantasy Football team. Those players are Tyjae Spears, Elic Ayomanor, and Gunnar Helm. Which of these players do you think is most likely to have a breakout season this year? Spears has shown some good flashes, but it is frustrating seeing him lose touches to Tony Pollard. What percent of the workload do you see Spears taking on? As for the rookies, it seems they will have to compete for playing time. I thought Ayomanor was extremely talented at Stanford and should have been drafted at least a round earlier. I am a little uneasy about the other rookies in the receiving room in Dike and Restrepo. Are they a serious threat to Ayomanor's playing time? Helm was able to carve out a role at Texas last year. Will he be able to do the same for Titans and relieve Okonkwo of his duties?
Jim: Hey Nicholas. Of those three, I'd go with Tyjae Spears, because I think he's been good this offseason, and he ended the season strong. But it's tough having a running back on your fantasy team who is going to split carries, and that's the case with Tyjae. He's going to share the load with Tony Pollard. What that percentage looks like depends on performance, and health. I like the rookies you mentioned, but they've got guys in front of them. We'll get a better idea on how much they might be able to contribute during training camp, and the preseason.
Michael Miles Sr. from LaVergne, Tennessee
Question: Jim thanks for putting up with us for many years. I hope we have a better season this year than we had last year. We just can't go thru another sad year like that. Now I know we have the #1 draft pick on our team. My question is do we have enough good players on offense to protect our quarterback. We have had a problem doing that for the last two or three years. I know Levis had problem last year but not all of his problems were his. I know that he has a long way to go if he is ever going to be a starting QB for us but I think he could be better if we protected him better. I really hope that we protect the QB no matter who it is. Thanks Jim and TITAN UP TENNESSEE
Jim: Thanks for coming back to the well, Michael. Time will tell on this. I think the line will be better. I'll be very surprised if it's not.
John Brusseau from Decatur, Alabama
Question: How long does it take an offensive line with two or three new players to play as a unit (at the start of the season)? How does that compare with the D line?
Jim: Great question, John. It will take a little time, for sure. And we're all going to have to wait to see if Lloyd Cushenberry is ready from a health standpoint. I'm not worried about chemistry on the d-line. The question there is whether guys can produce on a consistent basis.
Beau Siddens from Covington, Indiana
Question: Hey Jim, It's an exciting time! New RB signing, OTAs, seeing the rookies.
I can't help but notice the Special Teams alignment happening, which was one of our weaknesses last season. There are a lot of good players in the 91. With the new ST coach, and being distracted by OTA reps, we may be missing the bigger picture. There are 3 phases.
Don't need a big leg punter, just an accurate one with hang time. Need a guy that can kick clutch FGs, and a Team that can wreck havoc with or without the ball. Do we have them?
This new RB will run through brick walls. Seen it on tape. Those are the type of players we need on ST to be competitive.
Cheers to the brass 🍻 They are definitely addressing huge holes this off season.
Question:
Who do you predict making the 53 because of being on ST?
Thanks for your loyalty Jim. We appreciate ya.
Jim: Sounds like you're fired up, Beau. Get back to me during the preseason on this. I need to see some padded practices, joint practices, and games, before making predictions like this. These guys are running around in t-shirts and shorts right now and everyone looks fast.
Alaka Tankersley from Jacksonville, Alabama
Question: If someone is sent home from minicamp and is being told by their agent they are on the short list, what do we take that to mean?
Jim: Hi Alaka. Not sure of the particulars on this, but assuming this player had a workout with a team, I'd take that to mean he's on that team's "ready list." If someone gets hurt or the team feels like it can upgrade at the position, this player could get a call, and an opportunity. That's just my guess.
Thea Jackson from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Question: Let Go Titans! Jimmy how do you think the guys are looking so far and do you think we'll have a winning team this year. I'm hoping so because live in Philadelphia, being a Titan fan isn't easy
Jim: Hang in there, Thea. It's tough to win many trash talk battles with Eagles fans these days – they're the Super Bowl champs. I think the Titans will be better, and hopefully give you something to brag about.
Have a great weekend everyone!
