NASHVILLE – The NFL Combine is now just days away.
On Tuesday in Indianapolis, Titans coach Robert Saleh will meet with reporters.
A day later, it will be General Manager Mike Borgonzi's turn.
Meanwhile, NFL Draft prospects will take part in workouts and interviews in Indy.
We'll give you all the updates next week.
For now, let's jump into another edition of the Titans mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Dan Hanson from Fargo, North Dakota
Question: Hey Jim, O-Line development comment & question for you. My local college football team (NDSU Bison) has had a ton of success producing NFL caliber offensive linemen over the past 15 years…in fact two of the starting lineman in the Super Bowl for the Seahawks were first and second year guys from NDSU (one undrafted). I am sure you remember Dillon Radunz, injuries were an issue with him but I always hoped he would develop into a long term solution. The new O-Line coach seems to have all the credentials but we also said that a couple years ago when talking about Bill Callahan. My question is what needs to change within the Titans organization so we can see late round/undrafted development successes across the offensive line similar to what we saw with the WR room last season. I for one miss the days of watching Lewan & co (2017) dominate the line of scrimmage and then wrap up the day shotgunning beers at a Predators game :)
Jim: This is a great question, Dan, and one the team needs to get right. There have been times covering this team when solid o-line play was kind of a given, especially during the days of Mike Munchak as o-line coach. But it hasn't always been like that, as fans know. I think a lot of it has had to do with personnel lately, although it's always a combination of things. I thought Bill Callahan would fix some of the issues, but things didn't necessarily go as smoothly as everyone thought it would. It wasn't all on him, but something was off. I met Carmen Bricillo, the team's new o-line coach, this week and I know he has a really good reputation. The hope is he'll improve the play, but the team is going to need some of its current players to develop into more consistent players, and the team is going to need to identify the right players in free agency and the draft. I'm with you – the o-line needs to get its swagger back, and be a group the team – and QB Cam Ward – can consistently depend on.
Jonathan Martinez from Fort Myers, Florida
Question: Where do you think the focus for the Titans will be? More free agent grabs or draft heavy perspective? I have a feeling they're going to move out of the 4 spot for some extra picks, following some free agent signs. I'm hoping they spread the wealth instead of place all their eggs in 1 basket this time around. I like this new mentality. Bout time! Excited to see what's next. Titan up!
Jim: Hey Jonathan. Both. The long-term approach is to draft and develop, but the franchise has cap room, and it has needs. I expect to see certain players/positions targeted, and signed. I think it will be strategic. Some of what transpires will depend on the market. But the draft is going to be a big part of it. This group, led by Mike Borgonzi, believes it can draft well and build a team by doing so. I'd think trading the fourth overall pick is in play, but there has to be demand there as well.
Trenton Dittmer from Zionsville, Indiana
Question: I have been a fan of the Titans dating back to 2010 when I first new what the NFL was. The Titans were my home team before I moved to Indiana which trust me is very hard with Colts fans here lol. I was writing a question to you asking what is the likely odds of us cutting ridley, pollard, sneed, dan moore, chig, and several others to go take Tyreek Hill, Alec Pierce, kyle pitts, jaylon watson, devin lloyd, and kenneth walker. TRADE FOR Jaylon pitre and snagging a good backup QB for cam ward. while going into the draft with the MINDSET of taking rubin bain, omar cooper jr, snagging a GOOD corner at the 3rd pick? We CUT those players mentioned. SIGN the players mentioned which we have the cap space ive done the math. AND DRAFT WHATS NEEDED TO BE DRAFTED. we could save this team and help CAM ward.
Jim: Oh my, Trenton. All of this is not going to happen, I can promise you that. But the team will make some moves. Hang in there.
Timo Nicolausen from Talheim, Germany
Question: Hello Jim. Greetings from Germany to you and the entire Titans franchise. Thank you very much for your reports on the Titans. I'm a regular reader.
American football is becoming more and more popular here in Germany, and that's how I discovered this fantastic sport about ten years ago. I quickly became a big Titans fan and proudly wear my Titans shirts. I have to admit that the last few years have, of course, been difficult. But I believe that the feelings for a team only grow stronger when you've gone through tough times together. The energy that's released when things start improving again is even more intense!
However, I think better times are ahead for the Titans. The foundation has been laid. Good decisions have been made regarding the coaching positions (Saleh, Daboll, Fassel staying…), and despite last season's catastrophic record, I saw very talented young players on both sides of the ball. If the right decisions are made in free agency and in the draft, we could see a very different Titans team next season — and some commentators might find their laughter about the Titans stuck in their throats…
I don't want to get carried away and start talking about the Super Bowl or anything like that, but it would already be great progress if the Titans could at least become truly competitive in the league again.
Jim, I also have a question. How exactly does "dead money" work in relation to the salary cap when players are released? Does the entire remaining salary still have to be paid and therefore count against the cap, or can the team actually save money by releasing a player? Or are releases more about creating space on the roster? Here in Europe, releasing players during a valid contract is very rare in soccer. Could you explain that to me again?
I was in Nashville for a week in August 2024 — a beautiful city — but unfortunately I wasn't able to attend a game. It's my dream to return to Nashville and see the Titans play in the new stadium! And it's just as big a dream to watch the Titans live here in Germany someday.
Even though we Titans fans are separated by thousands of miles, we are united at heart. I'm sending warm greetings to America, to Tennessee, and to all Titans fans. Let's move forward into better times together. Titan up!!!
Jim: Hey Timo. Good to hear from you. The dead money charge is a charge on the salary cap for a player no longer on the roster. It's remaining signing bonus proration that was not accounted for prior to the player's release or trade. Let's say a player signed a five-year deal and his signing bonus was prorated over the five years. If the player is released prior to the end of those five years, all remaining signing bonus proration accelerates onto the team's salary cap for the current year. How much that impacts things with the team really depends on the player, and the contract.
You need to come back to Nashville to a game for sure. Best to you in Germany!
Kristin Lloyd from Greenville, South Carolina
Question: Hi Jim! There are many positions to fill on the Titans roster. One position that seems to need immediate help is edge. Do you get the sense from Borgonzi and Coach Saleh that they'd prefer to add a veteran in free agency (e.g., Jermaine Johnson who built strong rapport with Saleh during his time with NYJ) or build position depth through the draft, consistent with Borgonzi's broader philosophy of roster construction?
Jim: Hi Kristin. I'll be honest: I haven't asked them about this specifically. I'm betting this will be a topic in Indy. My hunch is they'll attack the position in free agency and the NFL Draft. The big question for me is whether they view one of the top edge rushers in the draft as a can't miss player, or do they think they can find a gem later?
Jason Petty from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, hope all is well my friend. And I hope you've fully recovered from your bout with the Flu. My question is not so much about the Titans or the team this time but more about the mailbag itself. I often find myself reading questions others have written in, and sometimes even my own, And I start to wonder! How many times "per mailbag" do you read the questions/comments and just shake your head in disbelief? For the repetition of a question from many different people, to the angry ones, to the audacity, and so forth and so on? I gotta know I'm not the only person that would love to see or know your reaction to the questions or comments you get. Not to mention all the ones you don't get to reply to. Looking forward to your work at the combine and pending free agency just around the corner. Rest when you can, and enjoy life as much possible. TitanUp
Jim: Appreciate it, Jason. The flu got me for the first time in a while. It was rough, but I'm mostly back. I love the variety in the mailbag, I'll say that. Yeah, I sometimes shake my head at a question or two, but I'm betting folks do the same with some of my answers.
Juan Bueso from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: What are the potential draft choices for Cam Ward with Robert Saleh as head coach? Will he focus on rounding out both defense and offense or focus on Cam Ward?
Jim: Help is needed on both sides of the football, Juan. Believe me, the team will attack offense and defense
Have a great weekend everyone!
