NASHVILLE – Well, this is the last weekend without the NFL for a long time.
Next weekend, the Titans will be kicking off the season against the New York Jets.
It's about to get serious.
While we wait, let's jump into another Titans mailbag.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Bradda Dave Maglasang from Hilo, Hawaii
Question: Jim, First I want to say and give a big Mahalos to you and all the Ohana in Titans Country,
I have some great news, I am finally headed to my very first NFL Game, and better yet it will be
in Tennessee at the Jets game, everything is set and paid for, I got some pretty good seats I hope?,
Section 127-Row N, Seats 1-2, me and my girl is super excited, so for my questions-1) how's the weather in September?, as I use shorts and t-shirts all year round, 2) a good spot for steaks, the kind
spot where the locals go, and if any a good seafood spot, and 3) I'm not a big dress up kinda of guy so not sure what type of apparel I should bring?, jeans, and aloha type polo shirts?, 4) any good places to visit near Downton Nashville?, I know it's a new season with new coaches and staff and I want them to win especially the first game and more, but if we lose at least be competitive to the point where everyone else going know not to take us lightly, I just want the o-line to give cam time when we need it,
everything else will fall in the right places, looking forward to a great experience and awesome memories, hopefully i could meet you and some of the players but till then again a BIG MAHALOS from the BIG ISLAND HILO SIDE, ALOHAS BRADDA DAVE (AKA THE GOVERNOR)
Jim: Aloha Bradda! It's about that time.
Well, you have good seats, lower level, within shouting distance of the EndZoneBoyz.
You'll definitely need t-shirts and shorts for your trip. It's been blazing hot around here, and it's looking like the 90s are going to stick around for the opener.
A good spot for steaks? Well, The Southern Steak and Oyster, Kayne Prime, STK or Bourbon Steak, you can't go wrong with any of those. Shorts and Aloha shirts should be allowed everywhere!
I'd check out all the action on Broadway, lots of live music and it's a happening place day or night.
Be safe, and I hope you have a great trip!
Aloha!
Randy L from Yorktown, Virginia
Question: Hi Jim. I was sorely disappointed about X-man. I know the Titans have to build their best team but would've it been that bad to keep him? I don't know how any of these other guys are going to help at the back end of the roster. I think X is a great story, earned his stripes, and represents much more than just a player at the end of the roster. After a tough few years, he really represents something the fans can get behind. I know, I know…practice squad 😀.
Jim: Hey Randy. X has done a great job, getting better. And, he's earned the chance to stick around. I suspected he'd probably end up on the practice squad to start. The reality is this position has improved significantly over the years. He just has to stay ready, which I know he will. He's a great guy for Cam – and Carnell – to have around.
David Graham from McMinnville Tennessee
Question: Jim. I'm curious about the manipulations with the practice squads as I looked for the very last five that were on the 53, then off the 53, and another player or two. I expected to see their names popup on the practice squad and instead others that play the same position were signed. WR for one comes to mind. The sixth and seventh wide receiver were both dropped from the 53 and have not been added to the practice squad, for example. Of course, the four quarterback situations in some areas was explained in detail to me by an all-knowing person not long ago.. that they'd move players up on gameday and remove two qb's then. Put some of it into more sense for their curious. You're doing a great job as usual. David
Jim: Hey David. I think I got this email in between the time players were released, and the practice squad was finalized, for now. Keep in mind some players can't immediately be signed to the practice squad until they clear waivers.
Andy Stambene from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Question: Not really a question just a comment or three four...Well the cuts have come in and I'll have to admit I wasn't surprized with a lot of them...Wondering whether we have enough "beef" on the O-Line to give Ward a chance to get the ball to our Receivers though. I think we can ran the ball and maybe Daboll has a lot of 2 TE sets to help with the blocking. Good to see and hear that Lathan has kicked it up a notch and that Moore has been better...Carmona has been a pleasant surprize to start right away good on him...Having watched the Pre-season its easy to say we will be better but... regular season is a whole different Animal as the last few seasons will attest...Well I'm going to be pulling hard for our Titans team just as I did when the Oilers were a bad team in the early 70's when we took Dan Pastorini 3rd overall after Jim Plunkett and Archie Manning...hopefully Saleh,Daboll.Bradley and co. can get the players to believe and turn it around! They have some great talent/skill...just a matter of putting it all together...all the best Titan Up!!!
Jim: Good stuff, Andy.
Kim Columbus from Valdosta, Georgia
Question: Jim, I was wondering if you have seen the new Vince Young documentary and if it matched what you the person you knew when you covered him? I never realized Steve McNair was such a big part of his life at an early age and a mentor/father figure.
Jim: Hi Kim. I watched it this week. And yes, Vince and Steve were really close. Watching that documentary brought back a lot of memories. Vince was a unique talent, no doubt. Looking back, I bet Vince and Jeff Fisher both wish they would have handled things a lot differently. Jeff and Vince probably both share in the blame for the way things played out. It seems like Vince is now willing to admit that, to some degree.
Charles Nickels from Hot Springs, Arkansas
Question: Jim, first time with questions and long time Oiler-Titan fan. The biggest problem we have (year after year) is that we don't do a good job of evaluating talent (draft and free agents). We could all spend days talking about these failures. Is this problem known and do you think it is being addressed?
Also I am a glass half full guy, but I feel like in a year, we will be looking for a new QB. Can you offer anything to give me encouragement about our #1.
Jim: Hey Charles. I don't necessarily think Mike Borgonzi has to answer for the problems the team had under previous regimes. His job was to come in and repair what had, frankly, turned into a mess. As for Cam, I'm sure not going to dismiss him after what was ultimately one half of play in the preseason. In time, Cam is the only one who can offer you encouragement, and he needs more time to do it.
Russell Nicolai from Hillsboro Oregon
Question: Jim, Having been an Oilers / Titans fan since 1978 my Granddaughter& Grandson and I are traveling. To Dallas game this coming November. It seems near impossible to get a decent family interaction with team or autographs asking for your advice on how we can go about this? My Wife , daughter , son in law will all be sitting front row at the game your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Long distance fans but we are true to the Blue.
Jim: Hey Russell. It's tough on game days. A lot of guys are locked in, listening to music, getting in the right mindset for a game. Your best bet is to get near the tunnel where the team comes out in pregame. But I can't make you any promises.
McKeeg Russell from Elkhart, Texas
Question: First, hello Jim, I hope all is well and thank you for all you do for us fans!
Less if a question and more if a different perspective on recent uniform drama...
I'm 8th generation Texan, my Grandfather hosted a TV show on KPRC, I grew up in the Dome since Earl Campbell was crushing folks. Yes there is a history of blue in the city but let's not pretend it all ties up in such a nice little bow. The city flag was a navy blue as the original that is on display downtown. Cities all over the country had light blue police cars, it was INCREDIBLY common. The tiles are not Colombia blue, they are Cobalt blue (closer to the color on the new uniforms). Some versions of light blue were used before even in sports but was absolutely made popular and tied to the Oilers. These new uniforms are clearly trying to invoke that history and as a Texan I get it. If the Oilers had been sold and moved and changed names, colors and had didn't carry the Oilers history with them I would probably be rocking these Houston jerseys with fond memories. But the fact is that our Oilers didn't get sold or lose their history. Us loyal fans still have our team and yeah it sucks that they are in a new city but they are still the same franchise. I was an Oilers fan, my loyalty as a football fan was to the team not the city of Houston. And if Mayor Lanier and McNair hadn't conspired to get Bud out of town we'd still have the Oilers in Houston today. Point is, I get that Houston folks will cling to the history that was built here in Texas, but the Houston Replacements have NOTHING to do with or no right to that history. This is a new stepdad photo shopping his face over pictures of the step kids and their real dad, trying to insert himself into history that isn't his. As for the new Titans fans who want to completely move on from that history, get over it... It is OUR history as a franchise and these new Titans uniforms are what we as loyal Oilers fans wanted and deserved from the beginning. And nothing against Nashville (except the Preds because they suck, GO AVS!) I actually love visiting Nashville.... But I root for a team in Nashville because they ARE my Oilers.LUV YA BLUE!
Jim: I appreciate the perspective, McKeeg.
Adrian Campos from Austin, Texas
Question: Hey Jim. Gotta 2nd what Utah Tim said about appreciating you giving us this space to ask questions.
Wanting to know if the Titans are having another Oiler throwback weekend this season. Took my son to Nashville
Couple years back. It was a blast and it was Will Levis's finest game.
Finest game. Thanks. Titan up.
Jim: Yo, Adrian! No Oilers throwbacks this season. It will be the new unis, and the Rivalry uniforms.
Jason Wells from Maryville, Tennessee
Question: What do you think about Hendon Hooker and do you think he will stay on the roster?
Jim: He's on the practice squad.
Mike Wyatt from Bozeman Montana
Question: Hello Jim. Hope you are doing well. Are there any must win games this season or a record you would like to see us get to to feel confident in this team for years to come? I'm looking at games like the Jets, Giants, and Raiders. I know we'd like to win every game! If you could pick 6 or 7 games for us to win, which games would those be?
Jim: Hey Mike. Are we related? I don't know about 'Must Win" games. I think Week 1 is important, because the team doesn't need to start in a hole like it has previous seasons. I'll let other do the predictions on which games the team will win…
Tobias Hildesheim from Hamburg, Germany
Question: Hi Jim, thanks for covering the offseason, I'm so ready for some real football. I have high hopes for this renewed team although they got crushed a little bit by the lackluster performances in all of the preseason games. About "crushed": I have to say, I'm disappointed. The Titans did Xavier Restrepo dirty. This guy was the only Titan who did all of the preseason stuff, even the workout for the undrafted guys after the draft. He had some of the best numbers of all receivers in the preseason. He was the best offensive titan versus the Bears. He has a special connection to Cam. He is the perfect option if Robinson gets hurt. He is a fan favourite, and we need every positive storyline we can get! And still the Titans signed him just to cut him. That's just nasty. I know, it's a business... but it's also emotion and passion. X has both and woke both in the fanbase. And he just makes the catches, he's a safety net. This is a huge mistake. I hope it will not bite us.
Jim: Hey Tobias. With all due respect, the Titans didn't do X dirty. He's still here, competing. And, he may still get a chance at some point. The team kept five receivers. Which of these five would you want him to replace on the 53: Carnell Tate, Calvin Ridley, WanDale Robinson, Elic Ayomanor or Chimere Dike? I have a feeling you might say, none of them. I can appreciate your passion for the team, but sometimes tough decisions like this have to be made.
James Essary from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Wassup Jim, don't have much of a question but more of a thought. I think the Tennessee and Houston fan bases should start a petition for the last game of the year played between the two teams should be called the "Battle for the Blue. And whoever wins has the rights to put the luv ya blue on their uniform the following season in that game. I think it word be amazing.
Jim: Interesting idea, James, but this wouldn't make sense for the Titans. The Luv Ya Blue is part of this franchise's past, not the Texans. They can stick with the Titans Temu knockoffs.
Simon Pipkin from Bradenton, Florida
Question: Hello Jim. Once again, the Titans' stylists and designers nailed it with the rivalry uniforms. I can't wait to see the Music City digs on display at the November 15th game. It has been entertaining seeing all the jokes and memes about the Texans being so obsessed with the Titans/Oilers regarding their rivalry uniforms.
Here is a general question that may have already been addressed or announced by you. What days does the "Ask Jim" segment run on the Titans webpage? It has always been on Tuesday and Saturday. Wondering if there has been a change or if it will remain the same once the season starts. Go Titans!!
Jim: Hey Simon. I usually shoot for every Tuesday and Saturday during the season. Tuesday ends up being a reactionary mailbag from the Sunday game, and Saturday is usually spillover and looking ahead. During the offseason I try and follow a similar schedule, but they sometimes vary more. Thanks for reading!
Have a great weekend everyone!
