NASHVILLE – And just like that, we're nearing game week.
The Titans are now seven practices into training camp, including Friday night's scrimmage at Nissan Stadium.
On Monday, the team will travel for a joint scrimmage with the 49ers on Tuesday, before the preseason opener on Thursday night.
Yes, a lot of moving parts right now.
Let's take a break and get moving on this mailbag …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Timo Nicolausen from Talheim, Germany
Question: Hi Jim. Sending warm greetings from far-away Germany. I'm actually heading into the new season with a lot of confidence, hope, and optimism. I believe we've brought in promising players at various positions—both in the draft and via free agency—though, of course, the proof will ultimately be in the performance on the field! One area of the team that hasn't seen as much activity is the O-line. Since you're close to the action, I wanted to ask: What impression is the O-line making on you in practice right now? Can this group be competitive and protect Cam? I realize Latham hasn't even joined the mix yet, but what's your take so far? Or would you lean toward the idea that we definitely need to bring in reinforcements from the free-agent market? Thanks in advance for your reply and your work, Jim. Warm regards to all Titans fans. Titan Up!
Jim: Good to hear from you, Timo. I still remember meeting a lot of German Titans fans on the trips to London, and I enjoyed my interactions. The o-line has a lot to prove, inside and out. I think that group is well coached, with Carmen Bricillo. So far, all I can say is the guys are competing. I feel great about left guard Peter Skoroski, and I think Dan Moore and JC Latham are going to be better. The team sounds confident in Austin Schlottmann, but he's going to have to earn it, and prove it. Same for right guard spot. I think these upcoming joint practices will tell us a lot. And, if the team is not satisfied with what it sees, bringing more players into the competition at some point is a possibility.
Jon Kerlikowske from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim! Great to be talking about football again. My question is about James Williams. Sounds like he is having a great camp thus far but my question is about his position. I know he was a safety in college, then converted to linebacker with the Titans. I read a report he had dropped weight in order to be faster. In some reports I read he is referenced as a linebacker, in others a safety. Which is he, or is he a newly minted Saleh hybrid? I'll be out for the Bears and Seahawks joint practices, I'll give you a shout if I see you!
Jim: Hey Jon. I wrote a story this week on James, who is off to a great start in camp. CLICK HERE to read it. James is down 20 pounds, and he's playing fast. He has two interceptions already in camp. He is a linebacker, just a faster one. He lost weight by design. And yes, give me a shout at practice if you see me.
Pam Saldana from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hi, Jim. Waiting to see how the preseason pans out before I get too in depth with the questions/comments. Here's one prediction though: I think the offense will be, at least, marginally better, but the defense? It's going to be a lot better. (You're gonna take a walk in the rain...and your gonna get wet. I predict. by Sparks, 1982)
Anyhoo...just wanted to comment on the new T-Rac...hate it.
Retool the uniforms? Yes! They needed an upgrade. The logo? Same. And by all means, please retool the team!...but T-Rac?...naw. He was cool. He had attitude. Now he just looks like a plushie. Just sayin.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Pam. A plushie? I met the new T-Rac at last night's scrimmage and I admit, he's going to have to grow on me. But he has more swag than a plushie! (after Googling 'plushie.')
Jason L from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I had a great time at the blue and white scrimmage, the team is looking good!
When the Titans announced a rebrand of their uniforms one thing I was excited about was having a new number font. The last number font wasn't my favorite. So when the new uniforms came out I thought we were done with that font, until I came to the scrimmage. The old number font is still being used on the field for the yard lines. Do you know if they plan to update the numbers on the field to the new number font before the season starts?
Jim: Hey Jason. Glad you could make it last night. It ended up being a beautiful night. This is a great question on the number font, and I haven't asked anyone about it, to be honest. Let me ask around. I suspect it's staying the same because otherwise I think it would've been changed by now. But I'll check.
Richard Colestock from St Cloud, Florida
Question: Hi again Jim, seems like forever since the last game!!
Here I am stuck smack dab in the middle of Dolphin, Bucs, and Jag territory and scared to fly my Titans flag outside because my house might mysteriously get torched.
Anyway, if you recall, I was high on Ward and Restrepo last year. Ward will be fine, but what about Restrepo?? I know he was on the practice team last year and made it into a game or 2.....and he's not the fastest gazelle on the field....but that kid can definitely catch a ball.
What's your opinion of his chances with the Titans this year.
By the way.....at 85 everybody's a kid to me....
I read you all year long so keep up the good work!
Jim: Hey Richard. 85 is a great number!
Xavier is still working, and he has gotten faster. I actually talked to him the other day and will have a story posted in the next day or so. I think he has a chance to stick around, even though that might be on the practice squad. I just think this WR corps is so deep, it's going to make it hard for him to stick on the 53. But he's proven a lot of folks wrong over the years.
Phillip Vaughn from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Not a really question, but please pass along thanks the Titans organization and particular Tony Pollard. I'm retiring soon from active duty military and as a retirement gift my friends reached out and got a signed ball. I was speechless when I got it because I'm a Memphis Tiger fan and charter Titans fan (I saw one of few home games in Memphis.) Thank you.
Jim: Thanks for sharing this, Phillip. And, thank you for your service.
Eli Patnesky from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim, it's been a while since I wrote but I'm glad to be writing again. My question is Which position group is showing the most unexpected improvement since the start of the offseason program in your opinion? For me I think it's the defensive line and the defensive backfield. I would like to hear your opinion and I plan on writing more as the season starts. Thanks for all you do and TITAN UP!!!!
Jim: Hey Eli. It's hard to say right now, because it's just so early. I need to see some joint practices. I'll say the d-linemen have been getting after it, coming in waves. I think that's going to be a deep and talented group.
Payton Blair from Redding, California
Question: Hi jim. Thanks for answering my question about Will Levis a couple weeks ago. What are your thoughts on the Madden ratings? Jeff is a 95, he should be a 100 but it's whatever 🥱🥱. Cam is a 75, and i think thats fair considering his performances last season, although i hope in 28 he will be mid to high 80s, Tate is a 77 with Faulk being a 78 for some reason, and in my opinion Skoronski is way too low with a 83.
Jim: Hey Payton. I'll be honest, I haven't paid attention to the Madden ratings, and not sure what's good/bad. Heck, when I was in school, I loved getting an 83!
Patty Burrum from Old Hickory, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. Question/observations
Why wouldn't the Titans pick up Diego Pavia for qb2? I think he would be a great asset to have for many reasons.
-He has a great football mind set
-Local fans love to watch him play
-Great for Nashville
Jim: Hi Patty. I'm a big fan of Diego Pavia. Saw him school a lot of teams while at Vandy. Personally, I think he deserved to win the Heisman.
But I can't see it happening here. The Titans have a proven, veteran No. 2 QB and others in the mix.
Brian Holloway from Dothan, Alabama
Question: Hey Jim. Ready for the pigskin to get tossed around this year! Between my Titans & Auburn Tigers my football has been tough! I think this is the year for change in both as I love both staffs of these teams. I digress, my question: As we draw closer to the opener, do you see the Titans & Skoronski locking in a new contract before start of the season? Also, staying on the O-Line, I kind of like the addition of Jones to Center but do you think the Titans will try for any trades with some stud OL, or will they play this out and hit the OL hard in the next draft? Thanks for keeping us informed on the Titans! TITAN UP!
Jim: Hey Brian. As an Auburn and Titans fan, I'm betting you were happy with the Keldric Faulk pick. Well, you were on it with the Skoronski contract! It's now a done deal. I don't necessarily think the Titans are "done" at o-line, but options are more limited at this point.
Have a great weekend everyone!
