NASHVILLE – Welcome to the final Saturday of June.
It also happens to be my wife's birthday!
During what's a quiet(er) time for the Titans and the NFL, we're still going to keep things going in here, including in this mailbag.
Let me knock this mailbag out real quick so I can celebrate my wife!
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Micah McKamey from Murfreesboro Tennessee
Question: I know it's early, but I'm very curious about Robert Saleh, specifically his culture. Not meaning is critically, but I'm just curious, what is he doing to build up the culture and gain the team's trust so far?
Jim: Hey Micah. I'll be honest: It's too early to know about the culture right now. Everything I've seen has been positive so far, and the vibes around the team are good. But vibes are usually good in the offseason, with a lot of much optimism. It's probably like that with all 32 teams. Culture is built and developed when there is adversity, and things get tough, there's stress. This happens in games, during the weeks of the season, after losses, etc. And, players are looking for consistency in a coach. I can tell you I've been impressed with how Saleh has handled himself so far, with the players, with the staff he's built, how he's been in the building. Players like him. But trust will be gained and bonds will be built in the fall, when the pressure is high.
Benjamin Fanikos from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim, Can you offer any reassurance about the gm's plan for the secondary and RG position? I looked up the stats of the guys below Flott and Taylor, and they have almost no experience and as many NFL career interceptions as I do. I also don't understand why Kevin Zeitler wouldn't be resigned after a good season, especially given that we passed up on lineman in the draft until the end. Thanks
Jim: Hey Benjamin. I feel good about the secondary – I like Flott and Taylor, and think they're going to be solid. Been impressed with what I've seen from them this offseason as well. I can't reassure about the RG spot yet, because I need to see how camp and the preseason goes. I like Zeitler myself, but he's 36 and he was banged up last year, limited in practices. The team, at least for now, wanted to go younger and it has candidates in Cordell Volson, Jackson Slater, and Fernando Carmona, with some other guys in the mix as well. The hunch here is it will be Volson, because of his experience. But one of these guys is going to have to earn it, and play well. I've said this before: I fully understand this is a spot where there's going to be a lot of criticisms if things doing go well.
Joel Callaghan from Liverpool, United Kingdom
Question: Hi Jim. Joel from across the pond again!
Can't help but notice my guy Restrepo being mentioned a lot during OTAs and high up in your unofficial count of catches from practice the other day. Is there a chance he's caught coach Saleh's eye ahead of the season.
Jim: Hey Joel. Good to hear from you again. There's no question Xavier has impressed. He's been consistently good. But he's going to have to keep it going, stay healthy, and keep competing. And, the reality is he's at a tough position to crack the 53 because of other guys on the team around him. Xavier can't worry about these things. He just has to keep performing, and make it hard for the team to cut him.
James Dugger from Bedford, Texas
Question: Hey Jim! 2 things theme related for the boys!
1 What do you think the end zones/field will look like with the new color scheme and overall brand change? I, for one, hope they do a fully light blue end zone with red "Tennessee" in one end and "Titans" in the other!
2 Do you think we will see a "2000's era" throwback any time soon? I know it'll be next season before anything, but having a game or two where we wear the old two-toned-blue jerseys and white pants with the stripe down the legs would be great! I think that would be a great way for the organization to build nostalgia during the new brand!
Jim: Great questions, James.
I haven't heard the plan for the end zones yet, and we won't get any clues in the preseason as well.
In 2026, you'll see the unis you've seen already, and the Rivalries uniforms that will be revealed at a later date.
This is just me, and don't get me wrong, I like the throwbacks, but I want to see the team wear the new unis. Heck, it seems like we've spent the whole offseason celebrating them, so the team might as well wear them.
Michael Martz from San Francisco, California
Question: Hi Jim! I've been a longtime fan of yours. As a child, whenever my family got The Tennessean, I always rushed to the sports section to read your work and the late, great David Climer's columns. Happy to see you've found a good home with the Titans!
My question is this - why do the Titans limit media access when it comes to practice? My current understand is that they now how to watch minicamp / OTAs from a field away. This doesn't make much sense to me, other more successful teams allow reporters to be closer to the action and film this so I'm not sure there's any sort of competitive advantage for doing so. It just feels like a bad team making another poor decision in a string of poor decisions over the last few years.
I moved out to California 10 years ago for a job - the Titans are the one thing that have kept me close to home. However, I have found myself checked out this offseason because the team has been so bad, yet so stingy with fan access. With the new stadium opening up next year, they need to increase fan excitement and allowing us to stay locked in over the offseason by following our favorite media outlets (like PK, AtoZ, etc) is one of the ways to do. I hope whoever is in charge of this reads this and reconsiders because it's harming the health of the team long term.
Jim: Hi Michael. Appreciate the kind words. And, for mentioning David Climer. David was a friend of mine, and it's still sad to think about him being gone. He retired early to spend time with his wife and live on the South Carolina coast, got sick, and died at age 66. He didn't get to enjoy what should have been a well-earned retirement. … As for the practice restrictions, I'm working in the same space as the rest of the media at practice. It's not a field away, I'll just say that. And, in the grand scheme of things, there are bigger things to worry about, to be honest. If the team starts winning more than three games a year, and is contending again, things like this won't be a topic for fans. Have a good one and see ya in August.
Matt P from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Question: Eli Decko complains about Mcnair and Cam Ward, but has praise for Mariota and Levis? Its getting hard to read his comments every week. Anyway, I'll be in town for the game vs Eagles this year, you think we got a chance to win that one?
Jim: Hey Matt. Eli is a big fan, but as you've seen, he has a tendency to be a negative. Hi Eli, you know this is true! Speaking of Elis, here's another one…
Eli Patnesky Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: Hi Jim, it's Eli again. I am going to ask for your opinion. Do you think Cam Ward could be a top 10 QB this year? I heard rumors that he could be. He has a quick release and had some wild throws last year (aka. His first TD pass). If the OL is good and he does not have to run around like a wild goose, I think he has the potential. I was also going to ask if you think our defense could be a top 10 also. I think they could be. Maybe it's too early to know and I understand if it is. But I was just wondering what you think. Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Eli. Good to hear from you again. I'm not going to make any bold predictions in here. Cam is going to have to work at it, and prove it. He has talent, and he has some good weapons around him. But he's going to have to take his game to another level in Year 2, and he's going to have to have help across the board. … My thoughts are the same on defense – there's talent, and potential, but a lot to prove. We'll get answers in the fall.
Have a great weekend everyone!
