NASHVILLE – Well, that was ugly.
What's been a forgettable season added yet another chapter on Sunday with the team's loss to the Bengals.
I know Titans fans are tired of losing, but at least you're not tired of discussing it.
So, this mailbag will remain open, even if it's just to let you air out your frustrations.
Here we go again …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Greg Serheev from Chester, New Jersey
Question: Hello there Jim. I can't take this anymore! I've never seen a more pitiful team in all my life! The entire organization is in shambles! Coaching staff is lost and players are struggling to find a clue as to how to stop the bleeding.
Everything starts with OL.(STILL TERRIBLE) When you can't protect our QB on 3rd down you will not win!!! 2 first round picks on the OL who turn out to be complete busts!! Can't protect a thing to save their lives.The right side of the OL continues to get thrown around like potato sacks. Our WR's can't run the right routes and wonder why Levis gets picked off every game! When they do run the correct route catching the ball becomes a problem. The play calling is the most predictable plays in the NFL. Everyone knows what play is coming, including the cheerleaders!
Our defense just continues to give opposing offenses Christmas gifts by not covering and allowing WR's to be wide open. Penalties that we commit are just dumbfounding!! How that's not fixed after game one, just shows where are coaches are!! It gets worse every week!! Fix It!!!
The goal of a rebuilding year is to learn and show some kind of progress throughout the season. We are getting worse not better!! At least we have the NFL Draft to look forward to us drafting another bust! If our Head Coach does not direct the entire OL to spend the whole off season in the gym lifting weights, then there will definitely be no hope in sight!
My question to you Jim is...Have you ever seen a more epic collapse from this Titans Organization before?? Also, when, in your opinion, did this debacle start??
So sad...
Jim: Hey Greg. I wouldn't call this a "collapse." I think a team has to be close to the top, or at the top, to be in a position to collapse. This team hasn't been good all season, and it was picked by most to finish last in the division. Since you asked, in my mind the biggest collapse came in 2022, when the team started 7-3, and it needed to win one game to win the AFC South and make the playoffs. That team then proceeded to lose the final seven games of the season to finish 7-10, and lose the division. That was a collapse. And that's exactly when this mess of a stretch started.
D Kelley from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Question: Jim, been a fan of yours since the Tennessean days. I thought Vrabel was too hard-headed to surround himself with people who knew more than him and that was his downfall. I also believe he was a great leader of men. This front office and coaching staff have no leadership in the locker room and it shows on the field with all the penalties. I don't understand why they didn't just franchise Henry since the offense is the same offense that it always has been and they can't score points. This front office really showed their lack of experience this offseason not building a strong offensive line to protect the young quarterback. He can't even throw the ball downfield so how can they tell if he will ever be good enough for them? It's just staffing malpractice and they all need to go. Ran and Chad have done nothing as a team to build any confidence moving forward and they both hide behind the coach.
Jim: Appreciate you following a long all these years. The penalties have been one of this team's downfalls, along with all the turnovers. It's just been a mess of a season, one of the worst I've been around. I hear ya on Derrick, but keep in mind the team wanted to do right by him as well. At the end of last season, I got the sense he wanted to play for a contender, and this team in Nashville is far from a contender right now. No one wanted to hold him hostage with a tag. And, running back has not been this team's biggest problem. You're 100 percent right on the o-line – the franchise overestimated what it had on the right side of the o-line to start the season, or it underestimated how big of a problem it would be. No matter how you want to look at it, it helped doom this season.
Cesar Aguirre from Dallas, Texas
Question: Hello Jim. I don't know if we can say the Titans were in position this year to win 9 games? Maybe in the first half. Because this team has been terrible in the second half and that's worst than last year. I would say the titans have been outplayed and out coached in the second half for most of the season. There's no other way of saying it. Of course started off with mistakes the first 2 games. There's nothing better than last year. It's the same old thing a bad offensive line, same old quarterback turnovers, bad special teams and not a dominant defensive line. The Callahans were supposed to fix the offense and of course have failed the first year. WHO cares if Pollard and Ridley have been productive and played well. We had the same last season with Henry and Hopkins. As a matter of fact I would say we were better offensively last year. I mean come on 6 points against the jags. We could have scored more with Malik under center calling his own plays. The problems we had last year was our secondary. The only bright spot this year has been a better secondary but unfortunately they been out too many games.
Now the not so bad.
The titans are 2-4 in close games (1 score games on final drive). That's not the worst record with 4 games left. Hopefully we can win 1-2 more close games or win out. Let's not forget there's 6 losses to 6 really good playoff teams. Five of those teams probably ranked in top 10. To be fair we should easily be 5-8. Winning against the bears and the jags. So when you break down these 2 losses the blame unfortunately is on Callahan.
So Jim can you let Amy know the only thing I'm asking for Christmas is another quarterback 1 and a dominant pass rusher.
Jim: No one is bragging about the team being in a position to win nine games – that's been the biggest problem to be, the inability to find a way to win so many of these games. ... And, this team has more needs than a QB and a pass rusher.
Jason Knight from Cleveland, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Man I think that should be enough of the Levis experiment, if there was a chance of him being any good I believe its gone. Its not all his fault as I believe the offensive line and some bad coaching and play calling have hindered him. I just wonder what the team is gonna do next year? There is not alot to choose from as far quarterbacks go. Maybe use Rudolph next year and draft offensive lineman and a pass rusher. I don't see them getting a chance at a long term quarterback solution till 26. Im also not convinced Callahan is the solution at coach maybe he should stick to developing quarterbacks, he didn't even call plays in Cincinnati. GOD Bless you and your family and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jim: Thanks for chiming in, Jason.
Jack Walker from Calabasas, California
Question: Hey Jim, don't care about the loss Sunday. That T-Sweat fumble recovery and "XL Beast Mode" run... Pure Joy. Can't describe how happy it made me... Let's see a play with Big Jeff and T-Sweat in the backfield. Big guy TD time... One for the trophy case. Oh yeah, Titans football? I know it's a month early but here's the hot tip, Ran Carthon... Trade down twice into the second half of RD1 to pick up two RD2 picks. Tre Harris RD1, then Ersary the OT, Overton at EDGE and then draft Jaxson Dart to compete head to head with Levis, or learn under Darnold for a season or two.
Jim: The Sweat play was definitely the highlight of an otherwise gloomy day. Big T'Vondre is one of the guys fans should look forward to having around in the future. But the team clearly has a lot of other things it needs to fix.
Alfred Solomons from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. Your mailbox has become ground hog day as has each Sunday so not sure the point of either, but I am a die-hard fan which means I am not quite dead as a fan but I am getting there. I have been a PSL Holder and season ticket holder from the beginning of the Titans' arrival in Nashville. I have also purchased PSL's for the new stadium. But reality has now set in if it had not before now. The Titans are simply not an NFL caliber organization and it is a combination of coaching and players. They simply are not ready to play every week. I was a critic of you saying that it is ok for the Texans' game to mean more than others, as the players said after that game. This is the NFL. It is not college, and these players must give the same effort each week, and I am a critic of you complaining about the fans applauding Levis getting pulled. He is not an NFL quarterback no matter what excuses we allow him. Fans of the team not only are the reason the business succeeds, but we are charged substantial money for the pleasure or pain of watching what has been garbage. We have the right to express how we feel about what we are watching. And It's telling when the biggest compliment we can give Levis after any game this season is that he personally didn"t cost us the game that week. A backhanded compliment at best. This game was more than just a loss, it is a crystal clear sign that we are back in the dark times and we won't be competing for the next few years in all likelihood until we have an overhaul of the roster and the coaching staff. That is the painful truth. And my apologies to Tony Pollard, Jeff Simmons, T'Vondre Sweat, and a few others who are lone bright spots and deserve much better.
Jim: Appreciate you writing in, Alfred. But you're not telling me anything I don't already know. I didn't have a problem with players saying the Texans game meant a little something extra. There are rivalry games in every sport, at every level, and some games do mean more. But, of course, you have to show up and play every week, and this team has not done that. It's been an awful season, and a bad 2 ½ years. As for the reaction at the stadium when Levis got pulled, I simply said I hated it for him, just like I hated hearing Steve McNair getting booed back in 1999. That's my opinion, and you're not changing my mind on it. Now we all know yours.
Ricky Foltz from Harrisburg, North Carolina
Question: Seasons Greetings Jim. After my last question I really tried to give Levis a chance. The Oline on the right side is really bad. I hate to draft a QB in a weak draft class. I would hope to see a good draft of oline and LB position. Hopefully a good WR in free agency. Just think Levi's is broken at this point and would be better off with another team. Where do the Titans go from here, your thoughts? As fans we deserve better. Besides the D coordinator this coaching staff has shown very little to gain confidence within the fan base. Just another year of being a Titans fan and watching bad football. We have three good seasons every ten years, guess ownership is content with that.
Jim: Seasons Greetings, Ricky.
Dustin Gwaltney from Noble, Oklahoma
Question: Jim, I have been a Titans fan since the Music City Miracle. I have seen some really bad teams and Imo this team has too much talent to be this bad I mean really bad.
I dont think Levis is the guy, we keep being told that he is making good progress. I think that is just what is being said so the kid dont get his feeling hurt. He is singlehandedly giving games away nearly weekly. No big plays, holds the ball too long and takes too many sacks and when he isnt holding onto it he is throwing it to the opponent.
I am probably in the minority here but I just think that coach cally is in over his head. Our st's coach should have been replaced after week 3. Wilson is the only one that has kept his end of the bargain. Week after week the offense is putting the defense in bad situations and no matter how good a group is, when they are on the field for nearly 40 minutes of a 60 minute game bad things are going to happen.
This is the first time that I have let a bad Titans team ruin my entire football season and the first season since I can remember that I dont really care to watch them because of the weekly ignorance that happens And I have watched some bad Fisher days that never made me feel like this team has this season.
Anyways Jim, no question just needed to vent. I most likely will not be writing in again until some things are changed.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Jim: I hear ya, Dustin. Appreciate it.
Peter Palmer from Miramar, Florida
Question: Hi Jim. I don't know what more do we need to see of Will Levis to know he's a complete bust. Rudolph have won 2 games for us compared to Levis 1. He keeps making the same mistakes week in and week out. I know most fans would prefer us go out in a whimper, so we can get a top pick in next years draft. But I would prefer having Rudolph in as starter, giving us a real opportunity to win out and play spoiler to other teams in the run for a playoff spot. Titan Up!
Jim: Not much spoiling left to do, Peter. The Colts are about done, the Jaguars stink, and the Texans have already clinched the AFC South.
Bob Galasso from Johnstown Pennsylvania
Question: Hi Jim. Happy Holidays. I don't want to add anymore negativity or pile on the Will Levis criticism because I was really excited when the Titans drafted him with the overall 33rd pick in the 2023 draft.
Even after not meeting expectations his first year and a rough start to this year, I was optimistic that Will would continue to improve despite issues with the O-line. - This was the season to see if he could be "The Man" moving forward to lead the team back to a level of competitiveness and hopefully the playoffs. - Now however I would be happy with this proud franchise moving back to respectability.
All of that aside... I feel like he is not the QB to lead the franchise back to the playoffs where this team use to be a perennial playoff contender... While I recognize there have been other quarterbacks that had rough starts to their careers... Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and John Elway to name a few... its hard to watch him continue to make the same mistakes over and over... After the game with the Bengals Will gets benched after a day with a 49.0 rating 3interceptions and his 4th pick-six of the season.
Just a few more games left to go... we are just about out of time for him to prove himself ... Hopefully Miss Amy and Ran will figure this out... but the front office has let several good players leave ( A.J Brown, Derrick Henry... DeAndre Hawkins) and its hard to believe that this team would not be better off had they kept them around... Hindsight kills you and I'm not professing to be a GM but something has to change...hopefully soon. - Tony Pollard has been a bright spot and I am happy we have him.
Jim: Happy Holidays, Bob.
Eric McClellan from West Paducah, Kentucky
Question: One positive and one negative for the mailbag this week.
Positive: Levis ended the day 11/12 passing.
Negative: 3 of the completions were to the Bengals.
Merry Christmas Jim and all the Titan fans out there. Here's to hoping for better days ahead.
Jim: I guess I never thought of it this way, Eric …
Max Freebird from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: We should nickname Will Levis "mayo brain" because he plays like he has mayonnaise for brains. It's absolutely disgusting to see this dude with a commercial for a major brand and he has done NOTHING, will probably continue to do nothing (at least with the Titans) and will probably never do anything memorable in his career other than being known as "mayo brains". This dude needs to spend more time studying film and his playbook and not be out on the town like he has been as have other Titans. These dudes are getting paid great money to play a kids game and they play like the money is "owed" to them rather than them going out and proving they "deserve" the money they are receiving. Please ask Miss Amy to fire the entire front office and coaching staff and let's start from scratch by hiring a GM that can recognize talent that is hungry to win not talent that is just hungry and just wants to eat so to speak. Thanks, an extremely embarrassed fan.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Max. But I'm not sure what you mean by Levis "being out on the town" along with other guys. Heck, I've been out on the town. I live here. You have no idea how much time he studies film, and his playbook, so stop pretending like you do. The lack of preparation hasn't been his issue. Turning the ball over too often and the inability to make plays when it matters have been Will's issues. He simply hasn't performed well, and it's reminding too many folks of his playing days at Kentucky. But it has nothing to do with him "being out on the town." As for guys not being hungry to win, that's just nonsense.
Steve Hunt from Fort Worth, Texas
Question: I've been wondering if the defense still practices pursuit drills regularly, or if that's no longer a focus. To me, it feels like the fundamentals have fallen by the wayside. I've noticed all season that what should be a sack or tackle for a loss often turns into positive yardage for the opposing team. And giving a quarterback more than 9 seconds to throw the ball is simply unacceptable.
That said, I do acknowledge that the defense has shown strength in certain areas, and I understand that they can get worn down from being on the field so often. Eventually, the opposing team will score under those circumstances.
Another observation I've had is that opposing teams seem to have open receivers almost constantly. Meanwhile, our quarterbacks are often forced to throw into tight windows, and even then, it feels like no one is open. I'm not sure if this is due to the offensive scheme, personnel issues, or if the opposing defense is just that much better than the Titans, but I don't believe the latter is the case.
These are just my thoughts. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Jim: I admit this was frustrating to watch on Sunday. Burrow kept eluding pressure to keep plays alive. I've watched the guys work in practice, but things are a different speed in games. Overall, it was an underwhelming defensive performance on Sunday. Happy holidays!
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Well Jim, what do ya do.. I guess you just get ready for Indy and hope to try and stop the bleeding. Levis 8-12 89yds 3 ints, 1 fumble.. I am trying to stay in this kids corner but he is making it really hard. Games like this, make fans start looking at Veterans that will be available in the off season and beg Ran and Callahan to take a chance on someone else. This draft isn't heavy on "projected elite QB". I get it, neither was Brady. I don't know if Callahan puts Levis back as the #1. Mason looked better and they need to finish strong. Maybe I asked a question, I am really not sure. This team has me second guessing myself as well. Have a great week Jim and as always TITAN UP!
Jim: Didn't see a question in here Jeremy, but got the gist of what you're saying.
Linda Gregory from Dickson, Tennessee
Question: This may be my last opinion this season. My husband has graciously allowed me to watch my Titans this year but has told me we are watching his favorite team, the Steelers for the rest of the season. I can't argue with him as Sunday's game was the worst of the season. Between turnovers and penalties and Levis' most pathetic performance of the year, I have to turn over the remote. My question is simple: Is it coaching, the players, or the front office? Thanks, Jim I'll still read your answers as I control the computer lol.
Jim: Hi Linda. That question is far from simple! Don't lose control of that computer! 😊
Have a great week everyone!
