NASHVILLE – And we're on to Week 2.
It was an emotion-filled mailbag on Tuesday, as fans responded to the team's season-opening loss to the Broncos in Week 1.
Now, we're on to the Los Angeles Rams.
I'm all about letting fans have their say in here, and that continues in this weekend's mailbag.
But at some point, it's time to turn the page, and some of you want to do that as well.
Let's dive into the latest mailbag.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Hunter Phelan from South Pasadena, California
Question: Hi Dr. Jim, after reading Tuesdays mailbag I have come to terms you are the fan bases therapist, and you should start charging by the hour lol. You'd be booked 24/7, 7 days a week.
Well I really don't have a question. I do want to say for years now our qbs have been getting sacked way too much to put it kindly.
So wanted to make the entire offensive line an offer. Sadly, I can't afford the presents an NFL contract could buy them such as cars, diamonds, watches, or even a 10k dinner at their favorite steak house.
But I do own a legit pizza place here in Los Angeles. Me and my 2 partners have 3 stores and have been in business for 20 years. It's legit New York style pizza. I won't put the name but you have my email. I'm not sure if it's okay to self promote in here.
So here's my offer: Don't let Cam get sacked once this weekend vs the Rams!!! This happens every olineman starter and back up gets free pizza from my spot for the rest of their lives any time they are in LA at any of our 3 locations.
Might not be as thrilling as the other presents but man who doesn't love pizza. Especially good pizza. Hope this can motivate them. Lets go beat those Rams.
Titan Up!!!! Lets gooooooo!!!!
Jim: Hey Hunter. I know you've been a loyal contributor to the mailbag. I hope it's OK if I mention your place: Tomato Pie Pizza Joint? Looks like a great spot! Hopefully I can make it out there sometime myself. Maybe I'll bring a bunch of hungry Titans offensive linemen with me!
Will Jernigan from White House, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I'm not sure if this made the news or to any media outlets, but I wanted to share something cool that happened earlier this year. Big Jeffery Simmons held a photo contest for teachers where he asked them to show off their best version of his signature pose. He was going to pick his favorite, but instead, he ended up choosing five teachers. For each of them, he bought everything on their Amazon wish lists for the upcoming school year. My wife was lucky enough to be one of the winners, and Jeff kept his word—he got her a generous amount of school supplies for both her and her students.
I love sharing Big Jeff's story because he's really making a difference in the community, and I've seen it firsthand. I'm wishing him a great year full of health and wins, but more than anything, I really hope he gets nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award and goes on to win the award. He truly deserves it!
I don't know if there is anything you can advise us as fans that we can do to help get him nominated, if so we are all onboard
Jim: This is a great story, Will. Thanks for sharing. Jeff does a lot of great stuff in the community. He held a fishing event that made the day of a bunch of kids in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program this week.
Blaine Miller from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Question: Jim thanks for covering the Titans. Looking at the tape Cam Ward made some great throws. On the 3rd and Goal play Van Jefferson broke free and was wide open for a TD. The issue was, Gunner Helm decided to triple team block instead of picking up the rusher. Again on the last play for the titans offense. Pollard chooses to not block the rusher, causing Cam Ward to fumble. A screen play where no receiver is there to catch it all while passing 3 times on the 6 yard line. It just seems the team was disorganized in many different aspects offensively, meanwhile Brian Callahan was supposed to come in as an offensive guru. Jim my question is this, how much longer does Coach Callahan have to fix the offensive issues until the leadership in the front office have to make hard choices?
Wishing the best to this team, let's turn this around before it gets too far gone!
Jim: Hey Blaine. Definitely a lot of things to clean up after Week 1. Coach Callahan took ownership of his mistakes. Let me ask you this: You think he called a screen designed where there wasn't supposed to be a receiver catching the ball? I don't. Professional football players have to execute the playcalls, too. I do agree it was a bit of a mess right out of the gate in Week 1 a number of areas. I don't think any "hard choices" are going to be made after one game, though. Let's give this season some time.
Paul Guerra from Donna, Texas
Question: Good afternoon Boss!! Is it too soon to say that Callahan has lost the Titans players trust in him, Cause I can see it in the players faces after the game/games.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Paul. But ... see it in the players' faces? C'mon, man. This is overly dramatic.
Michael Bailey from Winston Salem, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim! This may sound a little weird but this is the most optimistic I've been after a loss in a long time. Can really looked as though he was commanding the offense (telling guys where they should've been on certain plays, making good reads, and knowing where his check downs were). Yes he took some sacks deeper than some of us would like, but we didn't lose due to QB play (for once). The o-line had some holes at times, but I believe they did better than last year's line would've done against the number one sack defense. Ayomanor and Helm are gonna be problems for teams this year. There were some TDs left on the field with the drops. Special teams looks dangerous (for the other teams)…I love it. Our Defense…shows signs of being elite! We created more turnovers than Denver's projected #1 Defense. I believe the receivers and TEs will improve on the drops so I'm not concerned with those…yet. I am concerned with our run game, pollard had no real room to run. Yes it could've been Denver's Defense, but our revamped o-line needs to open holes better, or we at least scheme it better. This brings me to my question…
I know hindsight is 20/20, but Callahan should've challenged Ayomanor's sideline catch. He was preaching about unity and trusting each other all offseason, but did that only go for the players. I watched Amani Hooker run down the sidelines towards coach, slapping his elbow like a toddler showing their parents they had a boo-boo. Why didn't Coach trust one of his better veterans? This whole team needs to be on the "trust game" (coaches and staff included). What if the eagles' coach didn't listen to Foles when he said "Philly, Philly?"
Jim: Appreciate the feedback, Michael. Coach Callahan should have challenged the play, he said it himself. But to be fair, though, players want to challenge everything.
Bobby Allen from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: With the obvious offensive line issues, especially regarding pass protection, it seems like using run pass options would be a good approach for the offense. It seems cam ward is more effective rolling out then straight dropback approach. Your thoughts on why this is not used more? Thanks
Jim: My thoughts are it could be used more moving forward. The team has played one game, and it's too early to make definitive statements or draw conclusions. Game plans are different from week to week.
Al Posnack from Spring Hill, Tennessee
Question: Jim, I appreciate all your insight about the Titans each week.
I have a question that concerns me. The Titans are always beating themselves in the foot with too many penalties. I thought that was what they would clear up at camp. I blame this and play calling on the head coach and assistants.
Why can't they clear this up? We must score TD 's to win not field goals. Thanks Jim for listening and look forward to your comments. Go Titans and Cam Ward.
Jim: Definitely Need fewer penalties and more TDs. I agree on both fronts.
Christian Benton from Bumpass, Virginia
Question: Hey Jim, I wanted to throw a hypothetical your way. What would you think if Callahan continues to struggle, moving him out and Dennard Wilson up to the head coach position. We have a solid defense and we can find a coordinator while retaining our defense that could have help in the upcoming draft.
Then taking this further if Mike McDaniels fall out of favor with the Dolphins for his leadership skills, do you think he would be a good fit schematically for our personnel? Do you think his offensive system would better support Cam Ward and not try to force him to be like another top quarterback, instead of unlike any quarterback we've ever seen.
Jim: I'm not going down this road after one game, Christian.
Toperasu Chirandu from Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Question: I have been with the Titans for 20 years. The problem I see is tenure. The coaches feel like they are tenured, at least for a season. There is no real incentive to coach well. If management reads the riot act to head coach and every coach that if you looe as ineptly as witnessed in this last game then you are are out, Wee will see better results. If we do not, then fire the coaches. This is a business and should be treated as such. We the fans, the clients, demand it. I personally think there are no bad players but only bad coaches. Callahan's job is on the line probably as soon as at the end of the next game. I know Jim you are in a bad sport- you cannot say what most of the fans are saying
Jim: The Titans, and Brian Callahan, had a bad first game, Toperasu. There's no doubt about that. The team lacked discipline, the ending of the first half was messy, and he should have challenged the Ayomanor non-catch/catch. But you can't go around firing coaches on the spot after one bad game. And yes, I know the team went 3-14 last year. And while you say you "personally think there are no bad players but only bad coaches," let's not pretend this roster is currently at the same level as some other rosters across the league, because it's not.
James Logan from Fayetteville, Tennessee
Question: Although I am not a coach, my observations may still contain some validity. Here's the way I see it: We did have some positive aspects in the Broncos game. Our defense and our special teams looked very solid. Our kickers are punter are returners all were in fine shape
The main problems I felt In ascending order are as follows
Unfortunately, Callahan's plays are not Particularly well designed or well called in game Not innovative, not imaginative, very predictable. Also, his knowledge of game strategy, and even the rules seem lacking.
Next the receivers' performance was rather
abysmal. So many dropped passes cannot improve a rookie quarterback's confidence
Finally, the penalty situation is most abominable. Our total offense was a mere 3 yards more than our penalty yardage assessed. 3 yards! I have often wondered if coaching can address this problem. In 2024 the Titans were the fourth most penalized team in the league. Only 5 yards from the most penalized team. This seems like a pattern. Don't you think this could be a point of focus to address this problem. Very costly
I am very encouraged by many of our rookies, but we need to make sure they get the coaching they need
It's not just a matter of Titan up but also tighten up.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, James.
Warnis Hightower from Arcola, Texas
Question: I was impressed with the team's efforts on Sunday. Especially the defense. I haven't seen a TITANS defense play that well in a while. Overall satisfied. The biggest problem that I had was with the play calling. I think Callahan is not he man to be running the offense. I didn't like the way he ran the offense last year. Although... I HAVE HOPE!!!
Jim: Hang in there, Warnis!
EM McFarland from San Diego, California
Question: Tennessee shot their self in foot with needless penalties and dropped passes.
I saw inequities in officiating
Denver is strong team and that altitude is a beast for opposing teams. Maybe no team should have to play in Denver week one.
Denver got way to much benefit from referee crew throughout game. I counted 3 non calls in a row for pass interference by Denver starting at 3:00 mark of the 3rd Quarter and Denver benefitted by a non call for grounding as well.
I think Cam looked good in his first professional start.
I believe we have to be better on O line and receiving group.
Brian Callahan needs to grow his game management skills. Pretty big miss around end of first half.
Titan Up
Jim: Ayomanor was definitely interfered with on the controversial non-challenge play.
Joe Allen from Gainesboro, Tennessee
Question: I was so excited for the season to start and wanted to see how we did with correcting penalties! At 10, I gave up and we ended up with 3 or 4 less yards than total scrimmage in penalties! So much for that fix! Next up OL! Wow, Cam was running for his life with almost zero time to set his feet, but still I was excited to see him and he looked poised. We need to have a serious talk with those that are supposed to protect our QB! The DL looked great and kept us in the game. Yes there were some stupid mistakes and a couple of bad calls, in my opinion on our CB! Ridley our number 1? I will admit some of those passes would be a little to come down with, but others hit him in the hands and drops. Our rookies were a glimmer of hope here and we should play them more, in my humble opinion. Was Callie drinking with those passes called on the 1 yard line? I could not believe that he did not call run plays there and I am sure everyone else who watched this game felt the same. Bottom line, we gave that game to the Broncos and they know it! The turnovers were another bright feature and we have some players that excelled in that part!
I'm still a loyal fan, but really, that OL needs some new players and the Steelers should send us some money for the price we paid for that LT. That was ugly! Rooting for the next one, so please give Cam some time and we have a winner there! Thanks for listening and for the job you will have to do this week Jim! Appreciate you!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Joe.
Ted Sterry from Birmingham, Alabama
Question: You have got to be kidding me, Jim. Not only is this team just plain dumb (Football IQ) and undisciplined but now we have a coach who does not even know the rules. How does an "offensive" coach not know the rules?
I know they won't fire him after week one, but geez that is unbelievable. The oline lack of progress is scary. New names...new hope...same issue.
I will be absolutely shocked if he lasts the entire season. The rebuild cannot really start until we get the right coach in here. I wish I knew who that was. We just cannot seem to get the right guy that will be the coach for 10-15 years. Almost had one in LaFleur, but we let him get away.
Just plain tough to watch..... I realize it is just one week, but c'mon even my wife who knows nothing about football knows this a bad football team.
Jim: Let's see how things go this week, Ted.
Darin Finkelstein from Fernandina Beach, Florida
Question: Hey Jim. Hope you and your family are managing as well as possible following your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers.
One final question about last week's game: The Titans have invested in their analytics department. I am curious about what our analytics team said the odds were of getting into field goal range at the end of the first half, with a game one rookie quarterback and in a challenging road environment. It would be interesting to hear the risk-reward assessment on this. Hoping for a better outcome this week. Titan Up! Thanks, Darin
Jim: Appreciate it, Darin. It's a good question, and I don't know the exact answer on the analytics. But as I mentioned in Tuesday's mailbag, the Titans thought Joey Slye's range was around 70 yards on Sunday – I saw him hit a 68-yarder in warmups, with room to spare. And, I think that's part of the reason why Callahan was so aggressive at the end of the half. It ended up looking like – and being – a bad decision. Not to mention some of the plays that were called weren't executed well. But the team was really only about 40 yards from field goal range.
Cliff Stephens from Smyrna, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim hope you haven't been overwhelmed with negative comments. I thought the team had a chance to win but between some judgments calls and the penalties they shot there self in the foot. My question is why do some head coaches choose to call plays and be head coaches at the same time? To me it seems both jobs are full time jobs. Doesn't the offensive coordinator have the responsibility as a rule to call the plays? Thanks for listening and by the way my condolences to your for losing your dad.
Jim: Thanks for the condolences, Cliff. Brian wants to call plays, he made that clear when he took the job.
Norman Jenkins from San Antonio, Texas
Question: Is Arthur Smith really a top tier play caller/designer? With all of the football knowledge and wisdom around Callahan are we really not smart enough to adopt good plays as we watch other teams, especially the good plays used against us? What happened to simple screen passes over the top? We had no creative or critical thinking in our play selection. I am serious when I say this and I'm sorry if feelings get hurt but we should hire a teenager who's good at Madden and we'd have way better play calling. Over and over again, wasting our first down play with a run up the middle. You're not keeping them honest when they are already Teeing off on you. What can we do to communicate this to Ms. Amy. Seems she's the only one who can fix this.
Jim: Hire a teenager who is good at Madden? C'mon, Norman.
Kel Lang from New Albany, Indiana
Question: Hi Jim, it's been a little while since I wrote in...Ive been trying to be patient. I don't really have a question, I just wanted to get my thought and perspective out there. I feel like our team has really good potential, we had 8/9 rookies play in last week's game. The Titans downfall, in my humble opinion, will be the head coach. Brian Callahan never called plays in Cincinnati. I feel like Brian Callahan obsesses over being the play caller...partially because he is finally in a position to do so. As an analogy, if I want to call offensive plays but I have been forced to sit by and watch my buddy play Madden...then they finally give me the controller? That's our head coach. He is more focused on calling the plays than being an overall coach for the team. I think everyone witnessed the blunder at the end of the second quarter last week. I think Cally needs to realize that he essentially manages the team from the sidelines every game, and there's more to it than just sending in plays. As a manager, you need to take a step back and manage the people you've put in charge. I know he's still a new head coach, but he should decide what he wants to do: be a play caller, or a head coach of a team with a lot of potential.
Thanks Jim, always appreciate it!
Jim: Hey Kel. Can't believe we got two Madden references in here. I got a ton of emails on this subject this week, so many I couldn't include them all. Coach Callahan believes he can do it, and wants to do it. Personally, I think he deserves more time to prove he can do it effectively. But time will tell. Thanks for jumping back in here.
Charles Johns from Hermitage, Tennessee
Question: Jim, I wrote in after the game and had some scathing remarks about Brian Callahan. He may have made mistakes and should've known the catch rules but the loss wasn't on him. After watching the game again I realized that the players being undisciplined and not executing was the main issue. Maybe that's because of coaching but at some point players have to be held responsible for their lack of execution and lack of discipline. I know that was a focus during the offseason so that's on the players. I think we/I need to relax and give it a little time before overreacting to the first game. If we just didn't have so many drops in this game I think we'd all be looking at this differently. #TitanUp
Jim: Thanks for the follow-up, Charles.
Don Jones from Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Question: Just curious, Jim. Is everyone in the Titans organization required to use the phrase, "At the end of the day" a number of times during the day?
Jim: At the end of the day (and at the end of this mailbag), no…
Have a great weekend everyone!
