NASHVILLE – It's bounce-back time for the Titans.
At least it better be.
The Titans kick off the final quarter of the season on Sunday in Jacksonville, needing a win to stay atop the AFC South.
Plenty of questions continue to pour in after last week's loss to the Browns, and we'll get to some of those in here.
But the Titans are now focused on the Jaguars, and trying to right the ship.
Meanwhile, I'm focused on this mailbag.
Let's go…
Here's the link to ask questions: CLICK HERE
Travis Fernandez from Pukalani, Hawaii
Question: Aloha Jim. As one of the few Titans fans out here on the islands I can say that we definitely weren't ready during the first half of that Browns game. We made too many mistakes and the you gotta also give props to the Browns for the execution and Baker played really well except for that fumble he had at the end. I am hoping this is a humbling experience for the team as I feel they were coming off of a high of winning 2 solid games in a row (Beating the Ravens in OT and laying the smackdown on our division rival Colts). I am still very optimistic about our chances at a Super Bowl run and yes I do realize corrections still need to be made, but I am hoping we see the Browns in the playoffs and return the favor to them! From Maui. #titanup
Jim: Aloha Travis. Maui, huh? What a beautiful island. Went there several years ago on a family vacation, and we loved it. That road to Hana is something… Mahalo for taking the time. The Titans better clean some things up on Sunday. Aloha!
Franky Markle from Dyersburg, Tennessee
Question: Wow!!! Just when you think everything is ok, BAM a kick in the knee. You have to love the NFL. I'm sure you are fielding questions about a D coordinator, so I'll go a different direction. Do you think 11 wins gets us in the playoffs and/or AFC South title. Would really love to see the boys in blue have a home game for the playoffs, especially ending the year 3 of 4 on the road. I think being at home for the 1st game is huge. I'd say we ran out of gas last year in the AFC Championship. Thoughts? Thanks and Happy Holidays!!
Jim: Hard to know for sure if 11 gets you there. If I had to bet, I'd say yes. I suspect winning 3 of the last 4 (with wins over the Jaguars and Texans among them), would win the AFC South. But there's no sure thing. If the Colts win out, obviously that 3-1 mark wouldn't cut it in the chase for the division title. So, the Titans better just keep winning.
Héctor Hernández from Teziutlan, Puebla México
Question: Que tal Jim espero que ud y los suyos estén bien de salud, es comentario el que quiero externar, estoy muy frustrado con el andar del equipo sobre todo el defensivo, no tenemos ninguna presión al QB rival se le da todo el tiempo para que lance y nos haga mucho daño como el domingo pasado que Mayfield impuso récord de yardas y TD en un cuarto, increíblemente mala nuestra defensa en terceras oportunidades, los LB internos están jugando muy mal, Compton es malísimo cubriendo el pase, nuestros pass rusher a dónde están? Nula su actuación en verdad es muy impotente ver a mis TITANS, insisto y creo no ser el único necesitamos un DC urgentemente, ahora está libre Gregg Williams él nos llevó al superbowl con su defensa porque no traerlo de vuelta?.
Ofensivamente teniendo dos mounstros como WRs en Davis y Brown porque no los explotan más, tener una ofensiva más vertical más explosiva y si le agregamos a Firsker. … nos hace falta backups de mayor calidad en la posición de OL tres Sacks el domingo pasado Quesenberry lo ha hecho bien pero cuando enfrentan a rusher de nivel como Garrett batalla mucho, de las contrataciones y de las selecciones colegiales ni hablar son un chiste dónde está Evans, Fulton, Wilson. Clowney ZERO Sacks y 13 millions increíble. Termino diciendo que falta mucho coacheo en la unidad defensiva necesitamos un DC. Saludos Jim y toda la afición de los TITANS
Jim: Hola Héctor. Creo que todos están frustrados después de la derrota de Cleveland, pero hay que seguir adelante. Un equipo no se puede definir por un juego, solo pregúntale a los Steelers. ¿Necesitan los Titans mejorar en ambos lados del fútbol? Si. ¿Los Titans han jugado mejor que contra los Browns? Si. Solo diré que se olvide de contratar a un nuevo coordinador defensivo con cuatro juegos restantes en la temporada, porque no va a suceder. Los Titanes necesitan mejorar lo que tienen. Gracias por los comentarios y las preguntas.
Marteze Roper from Charlotte, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim, made it to my first Titans home game on Sunday that loss made that 6 hour drive back to Charlotte very long lol my question though: Is there a fix to our lack of pressure? I see a lot of blame on no D coordinator and hoping Jackson plays this year helps coverage but I get so puzzled watching the inconsistency of our lack of ability to generate any pressure and I know it's not a lack of effort from then guys!
Jim: Hey Marteze. Sorry about the outcome. Hope you had a good trip, nonetheless. If I had the answer for how to solve the lack of pressure, I'd be coaching and not banging out this mailbag. I do know 14 sacks in 12 games doesn't cut it. Too many Sundays the other team's QB hardly gets pressured. I see it, and you see it. It's like the Progressive Insurance commercial -- 'we all see it, we all see it.' All I can say is players need to do a better job, and coaches need to scheme it up better. Because Jevon Kearse in his prime isn't going to come walking out of that tunnel on Sunday.
Danny Bragg from Katy, Texas
Question: Hire Gregg Williams! We really need him!
Jim: Not happening.
Blake Collins from Saltville, Virginia
Question: Hey Jim hope all is well! I have a few things, First off I'd like to mention the Browns, great football team they have really turned around the last 2 years and they will be a contender in the AFC for years to come. Our second half rally was just not enough but we got our stuff together and started to play football at the end. I've heard alot of people talking "why didnt they run Henry?" Well when your down like that in the 3rd quarter it really puts a hurting on the playbook. I know he has been working on catching the football. Do you think we could see him more on third down in the pass game if he improves his hands?
Jim: Hey Blake. The Browns deserve some props – they deserved to win, and they have gotten better. The "Henry catching the football" topic has been a popular one all season. Everyone is working at it, but I think it's going to be one of those things where the OC picks his spots. I do think Derrick has gotten better catching the football out of the backfield.
Donovan R from Los Angeles, California
Question: Hello Jim - Hope all is well. I completely understand everyone's frustration with the defense. Especially since it was the strength last year. I agree it was a frustrating loss, but by far not even close to the worst. Being a fan for 20 years, there have been much worst as you mentioned.
I think it shows how important Adoree is (and even more, Logan Ryan was). The defense is a tier or 2 better with Adoree in the line up. However, with respect to Logan, the defense is missing him most. He played the most important position, nickel/rover/joker, the 5th DB in the 3-3-5. The 5th DB is the most important part of the defense, in my opinion. Logan was an important part of bridging the coverage/disguise with the DBs and LBs and was in on pretty much every play.
If Adoree does come back this season and the offense continues as is, the team won't go easily. Tart looks promising. We haven't even seen K-Baby's potential. Need to get healthy and stay healthy. Also, Coach Vrabel and Co. have proven to create winning playoff game plans. I am writing you before the Jags game and believe this Jags game will tell a lot about how the rest of the year will go. Finally, can you ask Coach Vrabel (at your own risk) who his dream Bussin' With the Boys guest is? :) Thanks!
Jim: Hey Donovan. I agree – this Jaguars game will tell us in a hurry where this season is going. Vrabel wasn't in the mood for this question this week…
Robert Starkey from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: More of an opinion than question. I believe Our Titans are for the most part okay. They just need to stay the course and continue to ground and pound (which I think they gave up on quickly with the Browns due to the early deficit) and just continue to work on the defense getting players healthy for the playoff run. I have no doubt we will be in the playoffs. I really think the defense needs to blitz more. From what I've seen when they bring a DB or safety on a blitz they fair much better than doing so with the LB's. I still see and believe we will have a rematch with the Chiefs in the AFC Championship and I honestly think it is the year they bring home the Lombardi. I can't say why but I just really feel and believe this is the year we start our own dynasty.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Robert.
Jimmy Dee from Battle Ground, Washington
Question: Jim, I just read that Adoree Jackson was at practice this week and that's obviously a great thing but it doesn't mean he'll be ready to play and at full strength this Sunday.. There is no point in having him play unless he's healed because if he plays while injured he could worsen his knee injury. Jacksonville is a 1/11 team and the Titans *might* be able to beat them without AJ. I really don't understand what could be wrong with AJs knee that could be taking so long to heal but Coach Vrabel is not going to give detailed info so I guess fans will keep being uninformed about Jackson's injury.
That aside, what about Kristian Fulton? How is he doing? It would be euphoic to see Adoree Jackson & Kristian Fulton both return at 100% this week. That would really help the team. The Titans are sadly dealing with a lot of injuries and the CB position is hard hit with injuries
Jim: Hey Jimmy Dee. I'm about talked out on Adoree'. Yes, his return to practice this week was a positive development, but he's been ruled out for the game. No, the team doesn't have an obligation to give detailed information on his injury. As for Fulton, he's making progress. He once again practiced all week – for the third straight week. You're right in the fact the team has dealt with a lot of injuries in the secondary. The plan was to have Malcolm Butler-Kristian Fulton-Adoree' Jackson as the top three, and that hasn't happen. So you have to have other guys step up. That's life in the NFL.
Steven Crosio from Brick, New Jersey
Question: Hey there Jim how much pressure Titans defense is now that the only main Titans CBs are Malcolm Butler and Tye Smith?
Jim: Hey Steven. You're forgetting Desmond King…
Have a great weekend everyone!
