NASHVILLE – Happy Holidays!
The Christmas Eve edition of the Titans mailbag has arrived, on the heels of another loss.
The Titans are now 3-12, and I know you're frustrated, and upset.
So, we're back here again to discuss.
Thanks to everyone for filling this space up twice a week, during good times and bad times.
Best to all of you.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Fred Trotman from St. Louis, Missouri
Question: First I want to extend a very early Merry Christmas to you Jim and all my fellow Titans fans sadly they couldn't deliver us a win. Now to my question. With us being out of the playoff race and having key players injured, do you think the coaches should let some of the younger guys get some reps over these final 2 games? That way we can gauge what all holes we need to fill other than the obvious (RT, QB, LB) holes.
Jim: Appreciate it, Fred. A lot of the younger guys have been playing more, and you'll continue to see that. Rookie ILBs James Williams and Cedric Gray will most certainly continue to play, along with Latham, Sweat, Brownlee, and Harrell. Jaelyn Duncan was activated on Monday, and I expect to see him back in action. David Martin-Robinson made his first catch on Sunday. I'm hoping to see more of him, and others.
James Nelson from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: Jim....You cannot let this continue into next year. When a team quits like this in a game you have to look at the coaching staff and the "want to" from certain players. This year has been a disaster and Cally has earned his pink slip. You defend your team from "soft" comment and then they don't show up and tackle anyone. They were manhandled by a very average team. Stopping the run is about effort!!! Even the announcers were saying the Titans just quit and looked like a beaten team playing out the string. They even used the term "laying an egg." This is beyond embarrassing. The front office and Coaching staff are RESPONSIBLE for over evaluating the existing Olinemen. Radunz has been a bust from the start. Drafted as a tackle and he can't even play guard. Petite-Frere is an unathletic joke who should quit and just play fantasy football (his first love).
Lets discuss what we don't have:
1. QB
2. RT
3. RG
4. Effective Inside LB's
5. A pass rush
6. Safety is a weakness
on and on and on.
No light at the end of the tunnel -- You need to change staffs now and start over. What a damn shame... so active in the offseason to bring in talent and this happens???
Just ridiculous. Organizations need to be strong from the top down....The decision makers constantly make poor choices. I give Ran the benefit of the doubt but he has to take a good chunk of this nightmare and I do blame him for the coaching choice...he reached for a guy who never even called plays as an OC.
30 turnovers has to be on the culture as well. The reality....Undisciplined, lack of talent, poor player evaluation, and of course just poor play from a bunch of guys who would not start or play for most rosters.
Miss Amy... END THE NIGHTMARE and start over YET AGAIN!!!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, James. Happy holidays!
Bob Ousley from Linden, Tennessee
Question: Why did the owner get rid of Mike Vrabel? Looking back over the years and the interference from the Adams Family ownership, wouldn't it have been better to get the Adams Family out of the Titans business. The Adams family has never demonstrated an understanding of how to have a long-term winning team in professional football. They're just a family with a lot of money that likes to be in the owners club but can't find the winners club with both hands.
Jim: Hi Bob. The owner got rid of Vrabel because the team lost 18 of 24 games at the end of his six-year tenure, including losing seven straight games to close out the 2022 season, and going 6-11 in 2023. Things haven't gone very well in Brian Callahan's first season. That doesn't change anything about how and why things ended with Vrabel.
Raymond Bruss from Fredericksburg Virginia
Question: No question today, Jim. I am now searching for another team that knows how to win games. The Titans are not a good organization or football team. Their performance Sunday was an absolute embarrassment. The coaches and players need to find another profession.
Jim: Good luck in your search, Raymond. Please let me know which bandwagon you decide to jump on.
Chuck Rhoten from Kingsport, Tennessee
Question: Merry Christmas Jim. Another sad game for the Titans. Our defense has gotten worse and our offense has not shown any improvement. The O-line has shown no improvement and we are supposed to have one of the best Offensive line coaches in the league. Our last two drafts have not been successful, I'm not saying we have not picked some good players, Latham is good but probably better at RT, Sweat is good. Our coaching needs to change, whether it is a New head coach or OC, our DC has not shown much. I do agree with you none of the coaches have taken a snap but they just don't look ready to play. The money they spent on FA I thought we would be better.
Jim: It's been a tough season for sure, Chuck.
Anthony Anthamatten from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: My gosh this has been tough to watch like a car crash in slow motion. I am sure it is tough for the athletes hitting the field. But as a fan I have to ask, "We are building a new stadium and fielding this team?"
Jim: Yes, the franchise/city is building a new stadium. It will not be fielding this team. The stadium won't be ready until 2027. I'm betting ¾ of the guys currently on the roster won't be on the team then, that's just how the NFL works.
Joni Daniels from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: Yes, we lost the game against Indianapolis, but I have never been more proud of this team. They overcame early mistakes and after falling behind 38-15 at the end of the third quarter, they fought back as best they could. We fell short but I believe this is just a part of what this team can become. I will never stop believing in the Titans!!
Jim: You sound like a glass half-full kind of person, Joni!
Roger Piccirillo from Bridgeport, Connecticut
Question: Hey Jim, hope all is well with you and yours. I'm writing in for the first time this season. I was never a big fan of number 8. But to be fair I don't think he ever had a chance with the way the offensive side of the ball was constructed terrible offensive line poor Play calling questionable skill players. The Titans have made the same mistake a lot of teams make they draft a quarterback early in the draft round one or two to be their friendship quarterback. The problem is the roster isn't good enough to make a fair evaluation of young qb. If you are going to bring a young quarterback into a bad situation you need to be prepared to develop him over number of years regardless of up's and downs. And 15 to 20 starts is not enough time to evaluate a young qb playing against a stacked deck. I think they gave up on # eight too quick. Thanks for listening.
Jim: Thanks for writing in, Roger. No one has said the team has completely given up on Levis. It just got to the point where the head coach felt like he needed to hold him accountable for his mistakes. But there's no getting around this has been a disappointing, mistake-filled season for Levis. It sounds to be like a lot of fans are ready for the Levis experiment to be over. We'll see what the decision makers ultimately decide.
Jeffery Raney from Pittsburg, Texas
Question: Hello Jim. I was wondering what your thoughts are regarding the benching of Levis in favor of Rudolph? I kept my thoughts quiet because I think it was not really an upgrade of physical talent. I realize that Levis could have made some better decisions at times and he may never become the kind of quarterback the Titans need but he is one of the most competitive QB that I have seen. He also has not had a good complete supporting cast around him. I don't see the benefit of benching Levis why not let him finish the season getting the most experience as he can. I really don't think any other QB on the roster is going to be the QB of the future either.
Jim: Personally, I would have let Levis finish the season. If one of the biggest points of the season was to find out everything about Levis, then I'd let him play every game he's healthy. But I understand why the decision was made and see the rationale behind it, too.
Bill Mahanna from Byrdstown, Tennessee
Question: Jim. More of a comment than question. I have wondered what the players truly think about this season. Having been on a losing football team "back in the day" I realize the disappointment. I think most of the players have been true professionals thru the disappointment. It has to be hard not to think "here we go again" in some games. I have not seen them give up. I would like to them for the effort. Thank them for me.
Jim: Will do, Bill. Players are discouraged, and down. They are playing to win. But being on a 3-12 team is miserable for them.
Travis Hayman from Spencerville, Indiana
Question: The commentator on the TV broadcast just said "how do you sign a kicker who can't kick it 50 yards indoors?", after Narveson's miss. I think Narveson can kick it further than that as he did in pre-season, but it begs the question from me- how long does the Ran Carthon honeymoon last? This team is just bad, and it starts at the top with the GM.
Jim: So, it was a rookie kicker mishitting the ball that begs the question about the GM? Narveson has the leg strength to make it from 65 yards, but he flubbed that one. He's no longer on the roster.
Brian Cutler from Plainfield, Connecticut
Question: Watching the Colts game as we speak. Levis has made some bad decisions this year, but it seems QBs are just trying to make plays because the offense line can't block. That's the right side i'm talking about. Poor defense can't get a breather. Cally isn't making great play calls, my guess because the Oline can't block long enough.
Fix the oline (draft,Free Agency) is a must.
Then bring in a cheaper veteran QB to compete with Levis and draft a late round QB to also compete? What are your thoughts on this position?
Jim: A lot of things to be fixed/improved, including the quarterback position. Depends on the veteran QB…
Daryl Stjohn from Panama City, Florida
Question: So many bad things this year it's rough maybe a little better next year. Only 1question has anyone checked the quarterback room for are qbs being colorblind. This really might just be the problem they can't see who is on their team.😐
Jim: This is a bad joke, Daryl. You probably should've kept it to yourself.
Ray Brusd from Fredericksburg Virginia
Question: I am very disappointed in the franchise this year. We are not playing Tennessee Titans football anymore. I believe NFL means not very long for this excuse for a proud professional football team.
Jim: NFL does not mean not very long, because then it would be called NVL, Ray. Chat with Daryl and you guys come back with some better material. 😊
Happy Holidays everyone!
