NASHVILLE – Welcome to Labor Day weekend.
And, welcome to another edition of the Titans mailbag.
This time next week, the Titans will be just a day away from regular season opener on September 8 at the Chicago Bears.
Hard to believe, huh?
Let's get going, because there's a lot to discuss …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Aiden Card from Savannah, Tennessee
Question: How is the defense looking so far? Do you believe we will have a top 10 defense, or will it be what we had last year?
Jim: Well, it's not going to be what the team had last year, I can promise you that. The personnel has changed dramatically, with newness across the board, from cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzine to safety Quandre Diggs to linebackers Kenneth Murray and Ernest Jones to defensive linemen T'Vondre Sweat and Sebastian Joseph-Day. And, did I mention the team has a new defensive coordinator? It's Dennard Wilson, of course. So, it's pretty much a new defense, with returners like Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry, Arden Key, Amani Hooker and Roger McCreary getting used to new faces around them. But I'm not going to sit here and promise you a top 10 defense. These guys have to all get on the same page. New doesn't always = better. We'll start finding out more about this defense in eight days.
Jason Knight from Cleveland, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Hope all is well with you and your family. I was reading about the Ernest Jones trade and it first it seems like a really good trade. Then I saw where the Rams coach Sean McVay was more or less saying Ernest Jones has a bum knee also one of their old offensive lineman was saying the same thing. I know he has to pass a physical would that includes the knee. Have you heard anything about it? Thank you for all you do and GOD Bless.
Jim: All is good, thanks Jason. Ernest Jones passed his physical, and he racked up 145 tackles and 4.5 sacks on those same knees last year. Everything I've heard about him has been positive. On top of being a really productive player, he was a team captain, a leader, and a great guy in the community. I've heard from a few of my buddies in L.A. raving about him. The Titans were fortunate to get him.
Andy Rao from Arlington, Virginia
Question: Hi, Jim. Well, the opening day (as of now) 53 is set. Even yet more observations, but a question at the end...this time. I do like the trade for Jones IV especially after Campbell went down with a season ending knee injury. Sad news on that. He was really having a great camp. One thing I've noticed is that RC seems to be getting picks back for future drafts in all his player transactions. I like that stockpiling mentality. In looking at the 53 man roster, color me surprised with the team keeping 5 TEs. At the expense of keeping only 6 WRs. This must mean that Hopkins is closer to ready than not. Otherwise, I think RC and the Flying Callahans (since you liked it), would have signed seven WRs to the roster, and my prediction of Oliver making the week one roster would have come to fruition. Love the fact that even they recognized that Martin-Robinson was too good not to make the team. I firmly believe he's going to take the league by storm. 12 LBs is a lot. But that is the position that will be absorbing and dishing out most of the punishment so the more bodies one has, the better. If they aren't snatched up by other teams, I'd like to see Oliver and Small for that matter (even though he did fumble in New Orleans), on the practice squad. With the new kickoff rules, I'm not sure that Haskins (being a special teams maven) had enough other tangible assets to make the RB room, but if there's room for him the Practice Squad, I'd be OK with that, too. I'm assuming Kinsey will find himself there. He seems to be a training camp fixture at this stage. And I was right on Kyle Phillips, at least the team thought so. Feel bad for Caleb Farley, but RC has been shedding any vestiges of JR's previous drafts since he first got here, so it wasn't a surprise. I'm not sure that I would say Mike Brown deserved to make the team over Garror- he's in 'Just A Guy' territory in my mind. Garror did have a nice punt return and has shown flashes in the return game before. I might have picked him over Brown. Maybe he's practice squad bound, too. That being said, here's the question, a two parter: 1) What surprised you most about this fifty three man roster? and 2) Anyone out on the waiver wire from other teams that you think would be an interesting get for this Titans squad? Are you ready for some football? Why yes, yes I am!!!!
Jim: No real surprises for me, Andy. Guess I didn't think the team would keep five tight ends on the roster, but I also know it's a long season and that may not be the case all year. I'm sure you saw where the team claimed three guys (Ali Gaye, Julius Wood and Darrell Baker) off waivers in the past few days. We'll see it anything else transpires here over the next week or so…
Alex Everley from Cleveland, Tennessee
Question: Could you please offer some insight as to why the team would keep 11 linebackers on their 53? I don't recall there being any mention of that being a strength or would that be a sign of a weakness in the team's eyes? Thanks for all you do Jim. Think we will surprise some people this year.
Jim: Hi Alex. The team did go heavy at inside linebacker. Coach Brian Callahan said the linebackers will be core guys on special teams. Behind Kenneth Murray, Ernest Jones and Jack Gibbens, Luke Gifford and Otis Reese will be two of those guys, and, believe me, it was smart to keep James Williams. Been really impressed with him and think he's going to develop nicely. Cedric Gray went on Injured Reserve, if you haven't heard.
Alberto Armando Tellez Salcedo from Durango, Mexico
Question: Hola Jim buenas noches, te escribo para comentarte que estoy muy emocionado con este lapso de fuera de temporada donde el equipo se armo en una forma increible, la cereza en el pastel Ernest Jones IV que es un tremendo apoyador Interior que con Murray y Gray hara un tremendo trio.
Estoy contento por jugadores como David Martin-Robinson, Thomas Odukoya de que lograron hacer el Roster de 53 y triste por Eric Garror que jugo increible el a o pasado y por el Receptor Bryce Oliver que desafortunadamente no le alcanzo para estar en el equipo.
Le deseo que le vaya bien a Malik Willis que ya debe estar preparandose para ir a Brasil.
El equipo se ve otro con L'Jarius Sneed, Ernest Jones IV, Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Lloyd Cushenberry, Tyler Boyd,Quandre Diggs, Kenneth Murray, Chidobe Awuzie quiero hacer publico de nuevo el agradecimiento a la due a Amy Adams Strunk por hacer todo lo posible por dar alegrias a la aficion que seguimos a muerte al equipo.
Ya ancio que inicie la temporada Titan Up all over the world!!!
Jim: Hola Alberto. Ha sido una temporada baja divertida y muy ocupada. Se han adquirido muchos jugadores realmente buenos, y algunos buenos. Es un equipo diferente. Ahora es el momento de jugar al fútbol.
Neil McGeehan from County Derry, Ireland
Question: Hey Jim! Hope you had a great summer and are ready for football! I am very excited for this season, a lot of great deals done in the off season with … saving the best to last, Ernest Jones! Great stuff.
Jim: Ernest was a good get for sure, Neil.
Russ Drennan from Spring Hill, Tennessee
Question: With Farley and Willis off the roster. Both of Will Levis' preferred numbers are available #3 (high school) and #7 (college). Could we be looking at a # change at QB? Deebo switched from 19 to 1 long after his jersey sells had taken off. The 8 in Titans font looks like an hourglass. Love to see him switch. Go Titans and enjoy the season!
Jim: Can't see that happening, Russ. It would cost Will a lot of money to switch.
Some guys did change numbers recently, however:
DL Abdullah Anderson will now wear #94
S Quandre Diggs will now wear #28
OLB Khalid Duke will now wear #47
DL Isaiah Iton will now wear #95
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: How goes it Jim? Levis looked really sharp in the last preseason game. I am hoping that will translate to "W"s. Callahan seem to improve the offense week by week, Let's see how week one goes. Just saw the news on Malik trade. I wish the kid well and hope a clean slate with GB does him well. Can't wait for week 1! It's gonna be a great year!! Have a great week Im and as always TITAN UP!!
Jim: It's about that time, Jeremy.
Cosme Belmonte from CDMX, Mexico
Question: Hi Jim. It's gratifying to see the three preseason games won, it's always good to win. Now comes the first game of the season and Chicago also arrives undefeated, it will be a great game. I liked everything I saw, all the positions. It will be a great year. Greetings Amigo. Titan Up!
Jim: Greetings, Cosme!
Daryl Stjohn from Panama City Beach, Florida
Question: Was just wondering I see all the news ppl talking about us being last ranked 28 or lower last in the afc south I know we have not done to good lately but to me it looks like a pretty good team put together am i just blind because I'm a titans fan I know you don't like saying what we are going to be but I'm thinking we are going to be alot better than ppl think what's your take go Titans!!!!
Jim: These preseason predictions don't matter, Daryl, good or bad. I've seen some picks picking the Titans to finish 4-13, and those picking them to be one of the league's surprise teams. The only thing that matters is what happens when the games start. We're now just eight days away.
Have a great weekend everyone!
