NASHVILLE – It's almost time.
The Titans kick off the 2022 regular season on Sunday against the New York Giants at Nissan Stadium.
Who's ready?
First, let's knock out this mailbag.
Let's go …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Greg Moore from Jackson, Tennessee
Question: Wonder if anyone else is as excited to watch Robert Woods in action as me? At the final preseason game, I saw him slide to the ground to catch a low throw. Very next play he was 10 yards behind defender going deep. Our rookie QB was looking for a hole to run instead. I predict with all the hype on our A.J. replacement, Woods is going to have a BIG year.
Jim: Hey Greg. I get the sense a lot of folks are excited about seeing Robert, who is easily the most proven of all the team's receivers. I liked Robert with the Bills and Rams. He's always been a great pro. I've been impressed watching him work all offseason, and I agree – I do think he's going to make a big impact the fall.
Jeffrey McRae from Hartsville, Tennessee
Question: Devastated to see Harold Landry go down. He seems like a good dude and he's a great football player. I am excited to see Rashad Weaver though. I think he is under rated and will step in and surprise a lot of people. He looked very disruptive in preseason (I know it's pre season). What are your thoughts Jim?
Jim: He's long and athletic, and tough-minded. And, I know he's looking forward to his opportunities. What happened to Harold Landry hurt for sure. It's going to take a lot of guys to replace him. But the cupboard is far from bare. Bud Dupree should be really good, and guys like Weaver and Ola Adeniyi and Derrek Tuzska are all going to have to step up.
Henry Clark from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Question: Hey Jim! I'm just wondering if the Titans will finally take the Lombardi Trophy this year and if not when? Also side note what would be some key players that might trend up and be key to winning it all? Thanks and bye!
Jim: We'll see, Henry, we'll see. If this ends up being the year, it's going to be because a lot of guys stepped up. But hey, keep the focus on Week 1, and the Giants.
Cliff Cushman from Magnolia, Texas
Question: Howdy, J.W.! Football season is kicking off & I am hungry after last season. In my opinion, a Superbowl win should be our mindset this year. Just because our team is different doesn't mean we are less talented. We got younger on the Oline and at Wr & I believe we will be just as effective, considering Julio was no longer a true #1 and Brown struggled with health & still drops.too many passes.
Because we run a basic run heavy play action offense with the bootleg and qb option sprinkled in, Woods, Westbrook, Burks, etc will do just fine. We also upgraded the TE position. Now to my question: Can we expect more exotic & explosive plays with Kelly on board? Running last year's offense won't get us a Superbowl. What are the chances we trade for an edge rusher to replace Landry? Thanks again. TITAN UP!!!
Jim: I hear ya, Cliff. But, make no mistake, this is Todd Downing's offense. If you see more exotic deep balls and explosive plays, it's going to be because of him… As for the edge rushers, what happens over the first month could go a long way in helping decide whether more help is needed closer to the trade deadline.
David Siler from Thousand Oaks, California
Question: Hey Jim, hope you are doing well. Thanks for always keeping us up to date on going on's in Titansville. So happy to get this season finally started. Off season is so painfully long, especially the way ours ended. My question, or more of a comment, when the NFL schedule makers got started how did Buffalo end up starting the season on a Thursday then not playing again until Monday night against the Titans. Isn't that almost like an extra bye week?? SUCKS!
Jim: Hey David. The Bills do get more time before their game against the Titans. But, the Titans have a pair of Thursday night games themselves this season so they'll have more time before games against the Bengals and Jaguars later this season.
Will Russell from Maryville, Tennessee
Question: Of the non-division opponents on the Titans' 2022 schedule, which games do you see as highly important that the Titans must win to stay competitive this season?
Jim: All of them. Not trying to be a smart aleck here Will, but what if I say "the Packers and Cowboys" and then the Titans beat the Packers and Cowboys and then lose to the Redskins and Eagles? The reality is they all count the same.
Steve Furry from Cape Canaveral, Florida
Question: Hi Jim. First of all I want to thank you for keeping us Titans fans informed every week. If it wasn't for you, we would not know if all the news we get is correct. So thanks so much. You are a lifeline for us! Jim last year I wrote you before first game with Arizona we're to find places in Nashville to eat and visit some bars and such. You were spot on with the restaurants. Martins barbecue kicked A—-///. Unfortunately we lost to Arizona. But I did go to Hart and Huntington Tattoo shop and got my right shoulder tat with The Titans logo. I am a Titan fan for life win or lose. Coming back this year for the Dallas game In December. My wife is a Dallas fan so this is a special game for us. We can't hold that against her lol. She is a Titans fan also. I have one comment if I can say about our team this year. This Team will be the best Offense that we as fans have ever seen in a decade. The Defense will also prevail in be in top 5 in the league. This is my prediction. Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Steve. Good to hear from you again. And, glad you enjoyed the recommendations! Well done with the tattoo! I bet it's a beaut! Hope to see you in December, and I know a lot of Titans fans are hoping you're right with your predictions!
Tim McCrum from Traverse City, Michigan
Question: Hi Jim. Converted Titans fan since Tannehill joined in 2019. Yes, I still believe in him since his rough playoff performance vs the Bengals. He will bounce back in a big way this year. Anyways, my question is do reporters get intimidated to ask Vrabel the tough questions? He can be very confrontational with his responses depending on his mood or what is going on. I feel like you guys breathe a sigh of relief if he doesn't send a zinger your way after a question. Thanks for the time. Titan up and looking forward to a victory Sunday!
Thanks- Tim
Jim: Hey Tim. I don't think so. Reporters who have dealt with Vrabel know there's a chance he'll snap back, or get irritated when giving an answer. He's a moody guy who is pretty intense, as you mentioned. No one has gone unscathed out here, including me, and I work for the team. But hey, it comes with it.
James Simkins from Gallatin, Tennessee
Question: Why do I love you?
Jim: Must be the britches.
Jonathan Humphrey from Rumsey, Kentucky
Question: Hey there Jim! Long time no talk! Man, I love reading this mailbag. Thank you again for your hard work and dedication. Quick thoughts on Tannehill: I love his passion and eagerness to throw but I really hope the coaches recognize like I did during the season that he needs to take the time to calm down and not throw the ball every time. It seems to me that some of the turnovers in the past season (especially that last playoff game) came from him over eager to just throw the ball at ANYONE as last ditch effort when he should have just thrown it away and started a new down. Did you catch that as well or am I alone here? You're thoughts on that? IM SO PUMPED FOR THIS SEASON! TITAN UP!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim: Hey Jonathan. I appreciate you reading. I guess I've seen him force a few that turned into INTs. I know cutting down in the turnovers is a priority heading into the season…
Anthony Anthamatten from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Jim: as a person who has built four companies, I build teams. You tweak it it and hope you have the best. I like how the Titans go about it. It's not an easy job and you have focus on a million things. Especially in professional football, our game is played had and fast. I took a friend to a Titans from Australia to and she teased me about our guys wear pads and they don't in Australia. Then she saw a guy get slammed like a freight train and go down. Then she understood why we wear pads. She said "Your guys are bigger than ours". She was even more fascinated we have cheerleaders and they don't in Australia.
Jim: G'Day, Anthony!
Buzz Jacoway from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. With all the questions about the offensive line, I would have thought that we might have picked up a pretty good player after all the cuts. I was surprised that we didn't do any. Are the coaches that happy with our line?
Jim: Hey Buzz. Well, the team traded for former Panthers lineman Dennis Daley, who has provided depth. Let's face it: Teams aren't cutting the cream of the crop from their roster. So, evidently the GM and HC are happy with what they have heading into the season. We're about to find out if the group can get the job done.
Roger Piccirillo from Bridgeport, Connecticut
Question: Hey Jim, as always love the mail bag and appreciate what you do for the Titan fans. I would like to touch on the titan's offensive strategy. I know how much success the team has had in the regular season with there run first approach, however the postseason is another story. It's hard to ask a offense in a big spot or big game like a postseason game, to suddenly start throwing the ball all over the field after 50 55 minutes of methodical, predictable play calling, run on first down run on second down take a shot on third down when they know you have to throw the ball. By running the ball as much as the Titans do your quarterback cannot get in a rhythm and the receivers must get discouraged and it must be hard for them to keep their head in the game. I just hope that they have learned from the past failures on offense, here's hoping they open the offense up and let the passing game flourish as I know it can. How can people say that Ryan tannehill cannot carry an offense when he has not gotten a chance to. I am not saying they should cut Henry out of the offense but 300 carries is just too many even if he can handle the workload. Although I know the answer to this question but I have to ask myself are they trying to show how indestructible and great Henry is or are they trying to win a championship I sure hope it's the latter. Thanks for allowing me to share, let's tighten up and go out and win a super bowl.
Jim: Roger, Roger.
David Stalder from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Question: Hey, Jim. So effing excited!
Jim: I have a hunch you're not alone, David.
Have a great kickoff weekend everyone!
