NASHVILLE – Sheesh.
It was a rough one on Sunday in Detroit, where the Titans got embarrassed against the Lions.
The team has now dropped three straight games, with a game against the Patriots, at Nissan Stadium, on the horizon.
But first, a lot of folks want to talk about the current state of affairs with this franchise.
Let's get to it…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Blaine Miller from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Question: Jim, clearly the Titans need a QB and OLine help. Levis or Rudolph is not the answer to give the Titans a future of making the playoffs. At what point do the coaches and staff admit neither is the answer and start to get a plan in place for getting a QB. The Titans should have beaten the bears, colts, jets and beat the dolphins. That's 4 wins, but our QB cost us 3 of those. 4 wins with the rest of the season ahead, in this division, could have led to a wildcard. Instead the Titans have 1 win. Jim we need change at QB. When will the staff recognize this?
Jim: Hey Blaine. There's going to be a change at QB – back to Will Levis, as soon as he is healthy. That could be as early as this Sunday, it just depends on how things go this week. The team hopes to get a definitive answer one way or the other this season about Levis. If he proves he's not the guy, then I imagine the team would start looking for his replacement in the offseason. But the coaching staff and front office still want to see more from Levis, which is why he'll be back in the saddle as soon as he's healthy.
Chuck Rhoten from Kingsport, Tennessee
Question: Thanks Jim for keeping us informed. Well another sad performance. I was an Oilers fan growing up and it was great when they came to Tennessee. This is close to one of the worst teams I've seen. Here is what I see.
1. Worst coached team in the NFL.
2. Special teams are an embarrassment.
3. Call playing is predictable and just bad.
4. Apparently we do not have a lot of talent.
5. GM has not done a good job building a team.
6. Titans are just a bad football team.
7. Number one draft pick in 2025.
Jim: Thanks for stopping at seven, Chuck.
Jack Walker from Calabasas, California
Question: Hey Jim. I don't quite know how to ask this question, I know you have bosses, lol... But I'd venture to guess that at least one person in the building is sitting at their desk dreaming of Shedeur Sanders as a Titan. As of today, we're almost guaranteed to have a shot at him. So here's my question: Is there ever a strategy to position for the draft? No one ever wants to lose, players and coaches hate it. But, assuming that Levis doesn't turn into Jayden Daniels over the next several games... We need a QB.
*Jack imagines Jim reading this with a cringe and clicking delete message.
Jim: This is the job of the scouting/personnel department. They're evaluating prospects every day, every year. Ran Carthon, in fact, was at the Texas-Vanderbilt game on Saturday before traveling to Detroit. But there's nothing you can do to "position" yourself for the NFL Draft at this point. The draft is six months away. The team will be playing to win. Where the Titans end up in the picking order, and which players will be deemed the top prospects, will unfold in the coming months of the NFL season, and then during the draft process.
E.M. McFarland from San Diego, California
Question: Well Special Teams disappoints again. They are not getting the job done and not sure they have the coach to get them there.
There were blown coverages for multiple touchdowns on defense and interceptions and fumbles on offense.
Brutally Miserable performance. We were bad in every phase of the business Sunday. I grew up in Houston and was not a fan until just before the Earl Campbell era.
I did not watch them because they played like this. Wait till next year was their GO to Phrase. How many years will it take to shore up the Oline and special teams?
Not to mention we sure do not know if the Franchise QB is on the roster (or has been born yet). That is how it feels right now.
Jim: I hear ya, E.M. A lot of questions, not nearly enough answers at this point.
Neil Carr from Bingley, United Kingdom
Question: Hi Jim. If the special teams is so bad, why are we not making improvements?
If we keep giving away penalties, why are we not making improvements?
I can only assume they are practising improvement.
I'm a teacher and if a lesson does not go to plan, I self-evaluate and bust a gut to ensure it goes better next time. If not then accountability falls on me.
Who takes accountability for the same mistakes happening on a weekly basis?
Some of these guys (players and coaches) need to take a long hard look at themselves, remember they are paid a shed load of cash to do something they love, and start pulling their finger out. STOP MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES!!!!!! Cheers.
Jim: Believe me, Neil, the head coach is working to get it fixed.
On Monday, he pledged further support for special teams coordinator Colt Anderson, while detailing some reasons why things have gone wrong.
I understand the frustration of fans. It seems like it's been one thing after the next when it comes to special teams, from blocked punts to long returns to penalties. It's been a mess.
It's one of the reasons the team is sitting at 1 and 6 right now.
Bradley Wolfe from Vincennes, Indiana
Question: Hey Jim, long time Titans fan here. I was listening to the Lions game and noticed when the Titans had the ball down on the one yard line we threw four straight passes and ultimately didn't score. I've always been a believer in if you can't run the ball one yard then you're in bad shape. Is this type of play calling a personnel issue or just coach Callahan's style of offense? As always thanks for your coverage! Titan up!
Jim: Hey Bradley. This actually surprised me as well. Callahan was asked about this on Monday, and here's what he said about the play calls, and why the team lined up in the shotgun formation four straight plays: "Some of it's for quarterback the to be able to see and process it. Those things are always easy to talk about the next day. Same as the short yardage sequence last week in Buffalo. You question it when it doesn't work, and that's usually how it goes. Could I have run the ball there once and then bang a time out? Certainly, I could have. I just felt like the best thing for us was to try to get the ball in the end zone through the air. And look, if it worked and we scored there, no one's asking a question on the plays, even if it took us to fourth down to get it. So, I understand how it works, and we review that process and where we could have been better. Could we have run the ball, how would we have done it? What would've been the best thing? Again, in hindsight that it didn't work, what could we have done better? So that's how I take those things. I mean, in the moment I felt good about what we called. I like the plays. They were plays we had a lot of reps on. They're built for that, those coverages down there. And so, had confidence in it and ultimately it didn't work. That's why I have to answer the question about running the football down there. So that's probably the best way to put it."
Steve Glenn from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Well, here we are. That game almost reminded me of the Pats game where they blew our doors off. Was it 59-0? Anyways... Every dang week we learn about another major flaw within our team. QB? O-line? Special teams? Coaching? 1st and goal from the 1... Pass, pass, pass, pass... I wasn't expecting 7-0 at this point. I sure as he** wasn't expecting 1-6. As a lifelong Titan, I've never witnessed such poor play on multiple levels. Do you think we get to 6 wins this year? Have a great week, sir.
Jim: Hey Steve. When I looked at the schedule prior to the season, I thought the team would be 3-4 after seven games. Looking at what's coming up, it's tough to find a lot of wins left with the team playing right now. That's just being completely honest. But maybe this team will improve, and surprise some folks? That's why they play the games.
John Fayko from Lake Charles, Pennsylvania
Question: Greetings Jim. Life long fan ( 60 years old) Oilers/Titans, and like so many I've seen it all (except for a Super Bowl victory) (it will happen). I enjoy reading your mailbag , so thanks for that. I'm not one to normally rant but the latest developments are a little concerning, yes the team is developing but the special teams are atrocious and have been since game one. Then I read/hear that the punter is out kicking our coverage because we had to bulk up to protect him. I actually laughed out loud. I understand that growth and development takes time but an off season and 7 games with a bye and you are just now figuring out that the punter is kicking it wrong (head scratcher)? Titans fans deserve better! I will end with this ,, COLTS CATASTROPHE
Jim: Hey John. I understand the beginning, not sure about your ending in all caps. You are correct that Callahan mentioned punter Ryan Stonehouse could do a better job with his hang time. But he wasn't putting all the blame on Stoney, and I think anyone who has watched the games knows it's deeper than that. The Lions returners were running in wide open spaces on Sunday. It was one of the worst performances I've ever seen by the Titans coverage teams. Callahan and special teams coach Colt Anderson better get it fixed.
Tommy Bold from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. I used to think you had the best job in the world but now think it might be the worst because each week you are in a position to have to defend the indefensible. I have been a fan of the Titans since they moved to Nashville. While I know we have had bad years, this I believe is the worst. I was a big supporter of the hiring of Brian Callahan but I now believe he is out of his depth. He was supposed to be a quarterback whisperer and an offensive genius. We know neither has borne out to be true either with his development of Levis or his offensive play calling. He clearly lost Deandre Hopkins. Before he left the team, Hopkins made clear of his disappointment in play calling, saying the team just runs the plays that are called, and I am willing to bet many of the players feel the same. The third and fourth down calls with running Pollard last week was bad enough, but this week against Detroit, right before half time, the Titans had first and goal at the two, with a time out left, and did not try to run the ball even once. 4 terrible calls in a row that had no chance of success, and we go to halftime without a point. I also have to take issue with one of your responses last week when someone wrote in to say they were a Ravens fan now because of the King, and you questioned that. Well, at the end of the day, if we are not rooting for our players, we are just rooting for colored laundry. I for one am very happy for Derrick Henry. He is showing how he may be the greatest running back ever, and I am just glad he is not wasting the rest of his career with a dysfunctional franchise. I will always root for our Titans, but I can't help but also root for the Ravens because of Derrick, and I am sure I am not the only one disgusted watching our former players Henry, AJ Brown, and even Malik Willis thrive in what appear to be real teams who know how to develop players, keep them, and win. There is a deep culture problem with the Titans. I am sure we all wish we knew how to fix it, but it appears easier said than done.
Jim: Hi Tommy. Don't feel sorry for me. I have a great job, writing for an NFL team in my hometown. Do I wish the team was better right now? Of course. It's been a rough year, and it's been a rough three years now. And, I must say, my job is not to "defend" the team. I will say if you're coming to the team web site to see demands for coaching changes, firings, and the team getting ripped unmercifully, you're probably going to be disappointed. Still, I always try and tell it like it is in here, which I do every week. Right now, this is a bad football team. Time will tell if the current regime can fix things. As for Derrick, I get fans rooting for his success. I root for his success. But, again, I don't understand how a long-time Titans fan could "root" for the Ravens. But to each his own. Do you, Tommy.
John Gonzales from Sacramento, California
Question: That was a tough loss Sunday and couldn't help but wonder if the Titans could make a small adjustment to the team logo. Jim, do you think it's possible the Titans could remove the flames and keep it simple, by adding Tennessee Titans around the circumference of the logo? This would look 100% better on team helmets and hats. The flame portion of this logo has to go.
Jim: I was initially thinking this was a one-liner. You're really serious about this, huh?
Carlos Perez from Columbus, Indiana
Question: Hi Jim, thanks again for all you do! Wow, can't describe this loss… however, I have confidence in Ran, and expect some more trades this week (Diggs, Key?), the team needs draft capital to turn this around in a couple of years. What do you think? On the coach side, I said a couple weeks ago I was starting to think Callahan is not the coach to make this a winning team, now I'm 100% sure he is not the one, totally lost, can't adjust in the games and simply cannot compete with a talented roster. I think is time to move on and see what Dennard Wilson can do, obviously with new Offensive and Special Teams coordinators. As always, Titan Up!
Jim: Not ruling anything out as far as trades go, Carlos. I'll let you throw the names out there.
Steven Tilton from Safford, Arizona
Question: Hi Jim, another tough week for TN. It is easy for me to be a Titans fan through the good and the bad, but it is admittedly very difficult to be excited about them this year. I have no expectations of winning another game, but I'll still be pulling for them each week anyways.
My question is about a player I haven't heard much about: Lloyd Cushenberry. We hear and see the ups and downs of Ridley and several other players, but not much about this dude who sort of replaced Ben Jones as the center of the line and was a big name free agent signing this past off season. I know the left side of the line is doing all right, and the right side is struggling, but how would you rate Cushenberry as far as his specific job/role? Can we label him a bright spot in a fairly dark (so far) season?
Jim: I think Lloyd Cushenberry has been solid. I'd probably rank him as the top performing offensive lineman, ahead of JC Latham. He's also been the leader of the group.
James Kaufmann from York, Pennsylvania
Question: As a regular reader and fan of your column this week after getting destroyed by Detroit my question is this. With the two draft picks we received trading away two good players why can't we look at Justin Fields who is just sitting on the bench for Pittsburgh ? Also, with Cooper Kupp being dangled in free agency what would it hurt to see if we could look at him? Boyd has been very inconsistent this year in the slot as well. For what it's worth it was awesome to see Ridley go off during blowout loss. Also, one last thing a lot of people give NWI a hard time but this kid won't quit. I wish our team had as much scrappiness as he does. He just finds ways to get open.
Jim: Hey James. I'll keep saying this: Soon, the rest of this season will return to seeing if Will Levis is capable of being a starter. I don't expect the Titans to trade for Fields; I don't expect the Steelers to trade him anywhere. Moving forward, the chances are better that the Titans trade a player for a pick than give up a pick or picks to get someone else. This is just my thought process without asking anyone.
Brenton Burney from San Antonio, Texas
Question: Good morning Jim. I imagine special teams is going to be a big complaint in your mailbag this week. I unfortunately am going to add to those... As much as everyone loves Stonehouse (and I'm definitely in that boat as well), it seems to me at least that he has an issue of out kicking his coverage with little to no hang time. He's consistently top 10 in punting average (currently 51.2 yds), yet dead last in net yards (34.6) and average return yards (18.2) . I imagine Sundays's game probably skewed those numbers a little, but am curious if you have heard any concerns of that within the coaching staff and/or if they have been trying to work on that at all? Looking at last year, he also finished #1 with average (53.1) and was 6th worst in net (43.9) and average return (11.0). I understand he's still coming back from injury and that it's not all on him (coverage team deserves blame too), but he's basically kicking less distance and we're allowing longer returns... Again, I know we have a lot of issues with the special teams right now, but am just curious if hang time has had any sort of emphasis yet in training/coaching? Thank you for all you do in keeping everyone informed out here!
Jim: Hey Brenton. We discussed some of this in here a little earlier. Callahan did talk about Stonehouse and his hang time on Monday. Sure, he could improve his hang time, but I'm not going to pin all of this on him. Guys have to cover, and tackle. And, they have to be in the right spots.
Douglas Vaughn from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Greetings from the Delta Jim.
Well, it looks like we need to accept the fact that perhaps the team needs more talent across the entire depth chart. You and other journalists have mentioned the drafts from 3-4 years ago and I knew there were issues, but I was not really aware just how acute the problem was. For the entire 2020-2022 drafts there are only about 4 players still on the team - Burks, NPF, McCreary, and Okonkwo. Only McCreary is making significant contributions. OUCH! In 2023 and 2024 we only had 4 picks each draft. Maybe the special teams coordinator is not as bad as we think - although it is possible. But the ST and O-Line problems continuing not just year to year but seemingly game to game makes me think we simply need more good players.
Its my understanding that Ms. Strunk is trying to model the Titans similar to what the Lions have done. It is worth reminding everyone that Dan Campbell's first year the Lions were 3-13. They started the next year 1-6 before finishing strong. Made the playoffs the next year, and are now we see the result. I was hoping it would not take that long for the Titans, but if the talent deficit is larger than I originally believed, we may be looking at a similar timeline.
Your Dodgers are off to a great start, but don't count out the Bronx Boys. :-)
Jim: It's definitely going to require more patience, Douglas, and I know fans don't want to hear it. I'll admit I expected more from this season. I wasn't expecting a Super Bowl run, and I wasn't expecting the team to knock off the Texans atop the division. But I thought this team could potentially be in the mix for a playoff spot heading into December, with three wins right now.
Austin Caldwell from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, first let me say that if you choose not to post this submission I completely understand as this is more of a rant about the fan base than a question or comment.
Quick background on me as a fan, I am originally from Utah and have been a fan of the Titans since the McNair, George, Kearse, etc. days. I have experienced the lowest of the lows with this team, heck I have both Vince Young and Marcus Mariota jerseys in my closet because I thought they were the future. I moved to middle TN last year for schooling and brought my wife, 2 kids, and three dogs (one of whom is named Titan) across the country. The only reason I even looked at schools in Nashville was because of the Titans. I explain all this because I don't want to be accused of being a fake fan with my comments.
To the fan base that keeps freaking out about Vrabel, Brown, Henry, etc. I feel your pain, but move on. Vrabel did nothing the last 2 seasons to show we would be in a better position if he was here. Brown hasn't been on the team for almost 3 years, I get it was a bad trade and in a lot of ways signaled the decline of our team but there is nothing that can be done about that now. Henry doing awesome with the Ravens makes me want to cry, but the fact of the matter is that he would not be having that success on this team. He is successful because he is among the top in the league in yards before contact (while Pollard is among the bottom) and has a proven QB with a scary passing attack with him (clearly we do not). We also were so excited about moving the a "21st century" offense with more emphasis on receiving RBs which is a system that doesn't necessarily fit Henry's skill set. Plus, we did not cut or trade Henry, he left in FA. We can't control the decisions he makes.
To those calling for Callahan to be fired, I get your frustration but this is his first season as not only head coach but as play caller and he is working with a bottom 5 roster in terms of young talent. To those saying we spent all of this money in the offseason so we should be better, if you look around the league the teams that are successful are those that have drafted well and spent big money keeping their key guys (Chiefs, Lions, Bills, Niners, etc.). This isn't the MLB where you can buy a competitive team, you have to build it. We may be able to do that over the next couple years with Latham, Skoronski, Spears, Meatloaf, etc. and help from Cush, Ridley, Big Jeff, Sneed, etc. but it was a pipe dream to think that success on paper would translate to success on the field in year one.
To those that a couple of weeks ago were calling for Levis's head and saying that Rudolph would have won those games for us, do you still think so? I will freely admit that Levis hasn't been good, but Rudolph has been just as bad with interceptions and fumbles. Including against Detroit going full Levis and throwing the ball to a defender as he was getting sacked. Levis hasn't been the solution, but to call him the only problem is laughable.
To those calling for Ran to be fired, especially those angered by his comments imploring us to be patient and trust that they are doing all they can, what do you expect him to say? We applauded most of his draft picks, we might have questioned where they were taken, but with how Spears, Whyle, Latham, Meatloaf, Brownlee, etc. have performed, can you really question the decision? We applauded his FA pickups, we might have questioned the cost of some, but looking at the contracts that WRs and RBs are getting over the past couple months, can you really complain about the contract? We applauded his trades, I mean getting Sneed for a 3rd (when the asking price was a 2nd) is a steal, turning a 5th into a 6th, a 4th, and Jerome Baker is highway robbery, yet people are pissed we traded Hopkins or that we didn't trade Henry. What more do you want Ran to do? He can't play for the team. He can't change play calling or game prep.
I completely agree that the team as underperformed. We realistically should be 4 and 3 with embarrassing but understandable losses to title contenders. I am with the majority of the fan base that saw the team through rose-colored lenses this summer and was irate that national media was taking us so lightly, so I completely understand the disappointment. However, reacting with emotion and calling for everyone from the ball boy to Miss Amy to be fired is not the right answer. If you put emotion aside and look at this logically for a moment we are more-or-less where we should be in the rebuild process. I know that we wanted to be the 2023 Texans but it was always more likely that we would be the 2021 Lions.
Thank you for attending my TED talk...
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Austin. I agree with a lot of what you said here.
Linda Gregory from Dickson, Tennessee
Question: I cannot recall a game where I thought after the 1st quarter, this game could be competitive. Then the comedy of errors began. The special teams were slashed so badly it makes me wonder if players are that bad or are they just not being coached right. That goes for the OC/Head coach. When he called 4 straight pass play into a crowded endzone. with Pollard standing there, I just wonder how many of the Titans players just shook their heads in disbelief like I did. The looks of some of the players on the sideline have convinced me the coaching staff is losing the players. Be honest Jim, does it look like that to you too? Players like Simmons may be hoping to be traded to a contender.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Linda. I don't think the coaching staff "is losing the players." I know that's a popular theory when things are going bad, kind of like the same old stale topic that a team has no leadership when the team is playing poorly. Sometimes it's just as simple as a team just not being very good, and that's where this team is right now.
Eli Decko from Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Question: So, this whole experiment gets to end when? This is proof that Cally and Ran have not got a clue what they are doing. These are their players. This is their scheme. This is the most the Titans have ever spent and moves been made in team history. 1 win? Multiple blow outs. Embarrassing play calling and performances. All I'm saying is, I've been right the entire time so why can't I get my shot at being the GM or Head Coach? You have my email address, forward it to Amy Adams, I'll do the job for 200k.
Jim: Thanks for the offer, Eli. But, no thanks.
Mike Miles Sr. from LaVergne, Tennessee
Question: Jim glad you are here. Would not want the type mail you will be getting. What was our coach thinking? First and goal from the one with a running back getting 5+ yards per carry and you call for four passing plays in a row and none are caught? We have to do better than this. This game is and was hard to watch. I know we have new players and I know they are paid well but they are not good enough. I know we have new coaches but they are not doing good enough. TITAN UP TENNESSEE AND ANCHOR DOWN VANDY
Jim: I admit, Mike, I was scratching my head at that one as well. But the head coach knows a lot more about football than I do, I can guarantee you that.
Reid Jecker from Louisville, Kentucky
Question: Hi Jim. I have been an Oilers/Titans fan since the Warren Moon days with the Run and Shoot. There have certainly been ups and downs throughout all of these years. Despite that, I am still staying strong and hoping one day we can wear that coveted crown as Super Bowl Champions.
I have been reading the mail bag and see a lot of negative comments which is understandable with the current state of the team. I just wanted to try and look at some positives.
1. We had a good draft class, and can see that we definitely hit on at least 4 picks that will be starters or big time contributors for the future. (Latham, Sweat, Brownlee, Jackson) A lot of people are giving Ran grief, but that's good in my book. Keep doing that year to year, and you have yourself a winning roster.
2. Callahan is getting questioned for his play calling and decision making. It is his first year as a head coach and mistakes will be made, but with any mistake, you learn from them. I still trust in Brian to lead this team to better times. Get his players in there that fit his scheme and times will be better. This goes back to point 1.
3. The defensive and offensive line (exception of right tackle) have a good foundation. That is hard to come by, and it is a lot easier to build around them with the addition of skill players than the alternative. They are still jelling and will only continue to improve.
Not a question Jim, just wanted to try and put some positivity in the bag. Let's try to come together, support the team each week, and help the team along through this journey. If you improve each day, keep drafting good classes, and hit in free agency, better times will be ahead. Titan Up!
Jim: Thanks for chiming in, Reid. I'll let you close it out on this positive note.
Have a great week everyone!
