NASHVILLE – The schedule is out, and I have to give some props right out of the gate.
In last week's mailbag, Frank Byrne from Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, a fan of the organization since 1978, casually mentioned the last regular season game at Nissan Stadium would be against the Steelers, since he's in a mixed marriage with a Steelers fan.
It turns out Byrne was right.
Maybe he knew something?
Now that the schedule has been announced, OTAs are next on the horizon.
Along with this mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Paul Kinney from Southaven Mississippi
Question: Hey Jim, I like what the Titans did this offseason defensively both in free agency and in the draft. But I think we could still use a little more help. Do see them sighing one of the veteran pass rushers still available? Joey Bosa, Haason Riddick, Cameron Jordan? What do think Jim?
Jim: Hey Paul. I get a lot of these "What about?" questions these days. I'll say what I've said in the past: I think the front office and coaching staff will continue to evaluate what they currently have during the course of the offseason, and then decide where it needs to make additions, and subtractions. The team is not done making moves, but exactly who is added, and when, remains to be seen.
Ed Helinski from Auburn, New York
Question: Hey Jim. Greetings from the NY Finger Lakes. Hope all is well. Here's what I'm wondering about the Titans. Good or bad, what's been most surprising about this Titans offseason?
Jim: Most surprising? I thought the Titans would get at least one primetime game.
Billy Uselton Jr. from Tullahoma, Tennessee
Question: Hey, Jim. I understand you have to be careful on how to speak about the league, but this is insane. Two years in a row, the Titans receive not one primetime game...? Last years 1st overall pick, paired with a WR 4th overall this year, along with a dynamic, new beautiful coaching staff (on paper) overhaul of an roster, new uniforms with an upcoming new stadium next year? Why are they continually disrespecting us, man? I understand we haven't been the best , but Cleveland gets a primetime before we do, and they're just as much of a small market team as we are.
Jim: Hey Billy. I know folks are disappointed. I don't usually get worked up over these things, but as I just mentioned to Ed, I was surprised the team didn't get at least one primetime game. It should be viewed as an insult by the players, and I think they'll take it that way. The reality is the team can still earn one or more if it wins games, because they could be flexed into primetime games. Still, it's kind of crazy to see other AFC South teams like the Texans (4), Jaguars (2) and Colts (2) get multiple primetime games, while the Titans get shut out two years in a row.
Bob Easley from Austin, Texas
Question: Hi Jim, I saw your piece where you interviewed Daboll about our 4 QB's. I would like to add some thoughts, specifically concerning Will Levis.
I am very pleased that we have not traded Levis as of yet - because at this point in time, the best case scenario might have been for a 7th round draft choice- or a late 6 round at best.
I think we can do much better than that. A couple of points regarding Levis.
- OK, OK and OK, Levis made 3 bad decisions in Callahan's 1st year. 2 of those bad decisions resulted in turn overs, but I liked Levis' moxie, and it is hoped he learned from the mistakes.
- His 3rd poor decision - he dove for a first down on the sideline landing on his throwing shoulder💪. Another mistake from being aggressive, I doubt he'll ever do that again.
…if these are lessons learned, everyone agrees the guy is a physical specimen with a live arm. Let's take all that and allow Levis to showcase his talent in pre-season games. If the lessons were learned, I think it is very possible that during the pre-season, there could be a bidding war by a couple of teams that - due to injury or misfortune - will need to take a shot on a QB who is still young, driven, and athletic.
If so, we can do much better than a 6 or 7 round draft choice. Who knows, we might even be able to trade for an Offensive Lineman or another position of need. And of course, by waiting into the pre-season, it keeps all our QB options available - in case Cam has a hamstring issue or something.
Good work Mike Borgonzi and all, we have a valuable trade option if we wait for teams to come to us💪✅. And I wish Will Levis the best in all of this.
Jim: Thanks for weighing in, Bob. I like Levis myself, and also think he's worth more than a 6th or 7th round pick. I'd rather keep him because I think he has value.
Jamie Green from White House, Tennessee
Question: Can you start planting the seed to get us a Coach Mac "That's a Hell yes" when the Titans score?!
Jim: This would be fun!
Will Turner from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, a friend was asking me how I thought the Titans were going to do next season. I find myself very encouraged and hopeful. I like all the moves/decisions being made. I think the Titans will be the dark horse of the NFL. I predict a playoff run--wildcard spot and win, after that, who knows?
I think a lot of folks will say they might get close to 500 and then call it a huge victory, but I just have a feeling.
What do you think? Is my head in the clouds?
Jim: Hey Will. I think the team will be much better. What that means from a win-loss perspective, well, we'll have to wait and see. A lot depends on what happens in close games. But after back-to-back 3-14 seasons, I'm not about to make any bold predictions.
Steve Boxwell from Corpus Christi Texas
Question: How's it going Jim"
Hopefully the Titans will get reinforcements
For the frontline of protection for Cam Ward
Last Year he was sacked 55 times
He never really had much opportunity
To plant and look and throw the football
Because he was always getting sacked.
Believe the Titans could have won more games.
Hopefully this will be fixed otherwise pretty much the same thing again.
We Appreciate Your Hard Work
And keeping us informed
Jim: Appreciate it, Steve.
Joe Arcudi from Merrimack, New Hampshire
Question: Hope you are doing well Jim. Been a while since I chimed in....soooo here it goes. I think Borgo made some nice picks. I really like getting Coogan late in the draft, He could be the team's starting center sooner rather than later. My concern is our first pick. Nothing against Tate. I think he is a fine player, but when you draft a WR at 4 he better be a bonified number one and let's face it Tate has never been that. I agree we needed to get better at the position...but let's face it Titan fans....we all should have some sort of PTSD when it comes to first round wideouts with our beloved franchise.... Let me see. Off the top of my head. Tyrone Callico, Kevin Dyson (Instead of Randy Moss?!?), Kendall Wright, Kenny Britt, Corey Davis.... I know I am missing some for sure, but that list represents severe mediocrity for first round picks. WR are kinda like drafting a guard in the top ten. He better be Munchak or Mathews because you can get quality guards later in the draft for sure. I have a draft take... It reminded be a bit of two years ago. I honestly believe we had our hearts set on Joe Alt from ND. When he was snapped up by the Chargers it almost felt like a panic move to take Latham. I could not believe my eyes we were taking a Right Tackle that early...when we had NO left tackle that could play on the roster. I said it then that Latham was a RT ONLY....no one believed me. We thought the "Great" Bill Callahan could make him a LT...well now we are not 100% sure he will be a better than average RT. Ugh......Flash forward... We obviously wanted J.Love from ND (Keep missing on the Irish picks). To make sure we got one of the better offensive weapons we reached (just a tad) on a wideout. You can speculate that we should have drafted back, but I get it they fell in love with Tate, but at 4....boy that really scares me. How's my aim Jim???
Jim: Hey Joe. Thanks for taking the time, Joe. I'm not going to compare Carnell to any of those guys you mentioned. He'll have his own chance to develop, and what happened with Calico, Dyson, Wright, Britt and Davis will have no impact on Carnell. All those guys are different players, picked by different GMs. And, some of those guys probably deserve a little more respect … I wouldn't say it was a panic move to pick Latham. I think the Titans were picking a tackle, and had him graded high, which made him the pick after Alt went off the board. I know these draft day decisions are easy to second-guess after the fact, and immediately after the draft. I think folks need to give Tate a chance. But I appreciate your passion and desire for the team to get things right.
Emma Scott from Palmdale, California
Question: How does it feel to live my dream and be on the best team ever? Also, I love you.
Jim: I'm enjoying it, Emma. And thanks for the love. 😊
Richard Robles from Springfield, Tennessee
Question: Hi, Jim. This offseason is just getting started, We need more trust in the Offensive Line, Is there any things that can make offensive line better?
Thank you, Titan Up!
Jim: Well, the players currently on the roster need to develop, and I think they will under the tutelage of o-line coach Carmen Bricillo. But there are questions, there's no doubt about it. The team needs some guys to step up.
Have a great weekend everyone!
