NASHVILLE – Here's hoping everyone had a great week.
Another edition of the Titans mailbag is here, and it's after the first offseason week since the NFL Draft without OTAs or a minicamp.
The questions keep rolling in, however, so I'll keep answering them in here.
Let's go …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Ryan Alleyne from Altamonte Springs, Florida
Question: Hi Jim, A few years ago I was able to meet and speak with you a little bit working the fan event for the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida. There is something I've always wanted to ask you. In all you years covering the Titans, what is your all-time favorite Titans moment NOT named the Music City Miracle?
Jim: Hey Ryan. Appreciate the question. This is an easy one – Super Bowl XXXIV. It was a day of celebration for the franchise, but also for the city of Nashville. My parents were there. My wife was there. It seems like everyone from my hometown (I was born and raised in Nashville) was in Atlanta for the game, decked out in Titans gear. Plus, it was my first Super Bowl as a member of the media. I'd covered the Clinic Bowl, the high school state football championships for The Tennessean the year before, so it was surreal to be working the Super Bowl in my first year covering the NFL. I know the game didn't end like Titans fans wanted it to, but Super Bowl XXXIV was a culmination of an unforgettable season and playoff run, and again, a proud moment for a lot of people. So, that ranks ahead of the Music City Miracle for me.
Joseph Carney from Anchorage, Alaska
Question: Hi Jim! I'll get right to it. How do you see the OLine shaping up? I know its early but IMO we look pretty good up front, at least on paper. Any impressions of Dillard and Brunskill you can share?
And is there ANY chance Ben Jones comes back?
Sounds as though you're impressed with Tyjae Spears. He really shows a burst on film and could be an x factor for us.
Love all that you do and appreciate your reality check to the up-n-down opinions on this forum. So thanks for keeping it real and even-keel. Take care and let's all TITAN UP!
Jim: Good to hear from you Joe. Sitting here in late June, I think the o-line is shaping up like this: LT Andre Dillard, LG Peter Skoronski, C Aaron Brewer, RG Daniel Brunskill, RT Nicholas Petit-Frere. These guys have developed some chemistry this offseason, and that will continue in training camp, joint practices, and preseason games. I'll be curious to see if the coaches want to shuffle some things up in July and August, but that's my prediction for the starting five. Brunskill has looked solid. Dillard is a big man, and I'm looking forward to seeing him when the pads come on.
I do not expect Ben Jones to come back – plus, Brunskill is already wearing his jersey number (60).
Lastly, I have liked the looks of Spears. He's made a really nice first impression.
Appreciate the kind words, and for reading.
Ryder Wallace from Stewart County, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. So, I have a new baby sister and my family has all Derrick Henry jerseys, so I was wondering what jersey should we get her for the new season? Titan up!!!!!
Jim: Hey Ryder. Well, this is a personal preference thing, I guess. Why not put her in a Derrick Henry jersey, too?
Michael Collins from Woking, England
Question: Hi Jim. Could you share some insight into what the kickers typically do during a day of minicamp/OTAs (other than kick! - and noting they take maybe 6-8 kicks a day). Given the nature of their position, I can imagine there are far fewer kicker drills than for many other positions and similarly in 'live practice' they are less involved.
Obviously they are working hard, but to the uninitiated of us, I'm eager to find out! Thank you for the great work!
Jim: Well, Michael, they spend a lot of time inside, or on a separate field, working on their own. You'll see punter/holder Ryan Stonehouse, long snapper Morgan Cox and kickers Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff traveling in a pack on practice days, and they're working. When the special teams periods begin, they head over and do their thing. A lot of players kid the specialists about having a lot of free time, but they're making sure they're on point when it's their time to shine.
Rebecca Runyan from White House, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. Thank you for addressing my question.
Coach Vrabel has historically operated on a defense first and run focused offense.
As of late, the Super Bowl teams have had a pass offense.
Do you feel Tim Kelly and Vrabes will continue the run dominate offense? I would love to see a hybrid to keep defenses guessing but know that Vrabel will operate as he sees fit.
Jim: Hi Rebecca. As long as Derrick Henry is on the team, the Titans are going to have bruising offense with a strong focus on the run.
But I do think you're going to see some more variety this offseason, under new OC Tim Kelly and some exciting young playmakers in receiver Treylon Burks, tight end Chig Okonkwo, and running back Tyjae Spears. And, receiver Kyle Philips is going to make a fun impact as well.
Phillip Hill from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I was wondering if the Titans would be doing practices that are open to the public this year? If so, when would they be?
Jim: Hey Phillip. I've been getting this question a lot lately, and I'm including them from time to time just because I know folks are interested.
This falls into the 'to be determined' category. The team will have open practices for fans again this year, but the numbers will once again be limited, and I suspect different groups will be attending on different days. It's not going to be a situation like years ago where the doors are opened, and everyone can come in. The landscape at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park has changed because of the renovated building, which has limited the space for fans to watch, and a lack of parking around the facility because of added businesses, and other changes. I have heard capacity will be increased a bit from a year ago. Stay tuned for more information. We'll get some more info on this in July.
Have a great weekend everyone!
