NASHVILLE – Now, that was rough.
And, it probably wasn't what anyone expected around here.
But it happened, the ugly loss against the Commanders.
And there's nothing anyone can do about it now.
Except talk about it.
In this Tuesday's Titans mailbag.
Let's go…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Harry Prentiss from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Question: As a fan of this franchise since 1965 I've seen some bad teams. What bothers me with this team is they have no dominant strong part. When a team false starts twice on the first series and has the same amount of penalties as first downs and drops passes while fumbling and missing tackle after tackle it's hard to find much to be optimistic about. I spent a lot of time trying to find positives then realized the old adage was proven this afternoon: You can put lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig. When you're fundamentally unsound, undisciplined and poorly coached this is what you get. I'll still keep rooting because I've invested 59 years in them and have seen some great things but tell me Jim where should we fans look for hope?
Jim: I'll admit, it's hard to find many positives after that one Harry. But, just like how everything wasn't great after the win in Houston, not everything is bad after the loss against the Commanders. As a team, this year's version hasn't been very good. We all know that. The only consistent parts of this squad are the repeated mistakes and penalties. The offense hasn't been good enough, the performance on special teams has been poor, and the defense hasn't lived up to its ranking a lot of weeks. If there's a reason to be encouraged, right now I'd have to say Will Levis has provided reasons for hope, but I know a lot of fans don't want to hear that. And, it's too early to celebrate his improvement yet.
Rob Haye from Ontario, Canada
Question: Hey Jim, are the Titans not the most PATHETIC team in football right now. WORST first 15 minutes of football I have ever seen.
You should change your other column to 6 reason's why not to watch the titans, vs 6 things to watch for.
I know that's a bit harsh, but this team is brutal in just about every aspect of football, and there is ZERO discipline on this team.
Our HC is proving more and more why he may not be cut out for this job, your down 28-7 and you think its okay to kick 2 field goals when in the red zone, just what the heck are you playing for, certainly not to win, who cares if they don't convert 4th down.
And our #1 defense in STATS only, is quickly showing more and more that was an illusion, as teams continue to pile on the wins against us.
I turned the game off after the 2nd field goal.
Enough is enough, and I have been a OILERS / TITANS fans for 40 plus years, and hoped in my life time they would win a super bowl, I don't know if I have enough years left in me at this rate.
At least were in the hunt for the #1 pick again in the next draft, does that sound as bad as I think it sounds?
Jim: It was an ugly Sunday, Rob, no doubt about it. I'm just going to let you speak your mind here, even if I don't agree with everything you brought up.
Teisha Adams from Saratoga Springs, Utah
Question: Wtf is going on with our team!!! False starts, missed tackles, missed plays, what a disgrace!!!
We fire our coach, let go our key players and now we have nothing.
If I wanted to watch pewee football I would have watched it at home!!!
Is it too late to ask the team to do their damn jobs and play football?
Jim: Dang, Teshia. It's too late to fix this past Sunday's game. The team better be better moving forward, I may ask you to come in and give the pep talk!
Leon Johnson from Paragould, Arkansas
Question: Jim, I have followed the plethora of answers to questions put to you for years. And commend your insight, thoughts, and plain honesty. I have been a fan for the entirety of the Oilers/Titans existence. To the drafting of Billy Cannon out of LSU and their 1st championship game against the Dallas Texans, over 60 years and I will turn 74 in January. My question is legit I hope, and I am not being sarcastic, do you think it may be time for the Amy to think about entertaining offers for the franchise? I was so disgusted I quit watching the Washington debacle at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. I'm truly starting to think the franchise is a total source of embarrassment to the city of Nashville. And now a new stadium to house what? For over 60 years have watched those who along with Bud Adams, Lamar Hunt ect. started the AFL and all have some history of building championship franchises, but the Oiler/Titans still have a growing history of mediocrity. It's not due to a lack of trying, but they have never been able to put individuals with high team building IQ's together. Thanks for putting up with all the dissatisfied fans. But maybe it is time for new ownership. Thanks Jim
Jim: Thanks for writing in, Leon. I appreciate all opinions in here, even if I don't agree with all of them. At 3-9, and coming off an embarrassing loss, it's fair to sound off on anything. But the owner didn't turn the ball over on Sunday. She didn't miss a tackle, and she didn't commit a penalty. It was a brutal performance, and I can guarantee you she wasn't thrilled with it. Amy Adams Strunk, like many others, was hopeful the team would use the momentum from the win in Houston to put together a winning streak. Obviously, that didn't happen. Believe me, she wants to win. She's proven she's not afraid to make changes to get better results, from firing coaches and GMs. She's not selling the team. She could, of course, decide to make some changes if she's not satisfied with how things are going at season's end.
Peter Palmer from Miramar, Florida
Question: I've been so Irate this season that it's the first time I've written in to make a comment all season. Last comment I made was my disappointment in getting rid of Derrick Henry. I was one who cried for Tannehill replacement after Levis first game. Levis is not the answer and should be yanked as starter and make Rudolph the starter for the remaining season. Getting away from Titans style of play of run first offense has hurt us big time. The gm has to go for his very poor decision making. I'll never forgive him for getting rid of King Henry Jim. I also remembered your saying Henry had lost a step where has certainly proved you wrong. Titan up !
Jim: I appreciate you writing in again, Peter. But bring facts in here next time. I absolutely NEVER said Derrick Henry had lost a step.
Johnny Ray from Richmond, Texas
Question: Happy Sunday Jim. One of the most difficult things to see as a Titans fan is how all of our previous players thrive in other uniforms, the latest addition of this is Jeremy McNichols. Also for years throughout every coaching staff no matter which one we have a bad habit of losing to back up QBs and rookies. It's like we set history in a bad way. It is one thing to get beat but doing it by being just about last in the NFL in penalties is the responsibility of the staff to be prepare the players. Very disappointing.
Jim: Give me a break with this Johnny. I get fans are upset Derrick Henry is thriving elsewhere. Same for A.J. Brown. I know there are others. But, with all due respect to Jeremy McNichols, the guy carried the ball six times for 32 yards on Sunday. You're trying to make it sound like he looked like Walter Payton out there. Also, there's no shame in losing to Jayden Daniels. Plenty of teams have lost to him this season. There is shame in losing like the Titans did on Sunday – that was ugly.
Joe Allen from Gainesboro, Tennessee
Question: All I can say is WOW! One of the few games that I turned off during the action! Personally, our offensive line is horrible and the only bright bulb on the field yesterday was NWI. I also thought that Will did a much better job again this week and has shown improvement over the course. He finally started to get rid of the ball rather than take a sack back 20 yards. A plus for sure! My question is this: When are the coaches going to take some responsibility for these debacles on Offense and on Defense? Our Defense look sluggish yesterday! The worst I have seen them in a while. Receivers could not catch the ball and Will put it on them. Fumbles; unbelievable and at the most inopportune times. Sad to say I don't believe we will have enough picks at the draft to correct all the issues. Cally needs to start screaming or throwing something, anything! Still a fan, but a disgusted one for sure! Thank you for all you do Jim and I am sure that this weeks write ins will say it all! Hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving and holidays to come! Merry Christmas!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Joe. WOW could be construed as a compliment, you know…
James Isom from Bainbridge, Georgia
Question: I have been an oilers fan since 1974, i live thru the highs and lows from earl campbell incredible run when he freight trained isiah robertson right in his chest, the afc championship non-catch vs pittsburg steelers ronnie coleman's incredible 7 yrd touchdown run chris chandler's playoff meltdown and the unbelieveable collapse against the buffalo bills whe the idiot defensive coordinator jim eddy refused chris dishman's request to cover andre reed man-to-man, and trading the late great steve mcnair to the ravens a conference rival i stll cannot understand whe with tread still on the tire derrick henry was allowed to walk, trash qb will levis was drafted when andy dalton could have been signed as a veteran backup for little or nothing so now it will be another 10 yrs before we are in a position to draft a top flight qb or a very good rb so now we are stuck with a decent rb and a trash of an overrated qb when will decent changes be made or proven head coaches be hired to bring us back to our glory days when our home field used to be called the house of pain?? Here's an novel idea...hw about hiring jon gruden as head coach??
Jim: Dang, these losses are bringing out some feelings from long-time fans of the organization. Jon Gruden? Haven't heard that one pitched in a while…
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! Great running into you at the Vandy game!
I won't sugarcoat it, Sunday against Washington was absolutely brutal---even in a season that has been exceptionally poor.
Here's one thing I noticed that surprised me, and I'd love to hear your take. Throughout the entire offseason, we heard that Pollard and Spears would be 1A and 1B. I think Pollard has done a great job so far taking the reigns this year, but I am a little shocked that Tyjae didn't get more of an opportunity on Sunday now that he's finally healthy.
Do you think the coaching staff will work to get him more involved throughout these last 5 games? He's a third round pick and someone we've all had high hopes for, I have to think we at least need to see what we've got in him moving forward. He's had some tough luck with injuries so far this year, but it certainly felt like the coaching staff felt pretty good about him going into 2024. I know Pollard has been playing great, but I don't you think we'll want to limit the wear and tear on a mid-career back like Tony? Thanks Jim!
Jim: It was great to see you, Joe. Enjoyed meeting your wife. Congrats again to her for being Educator of the Game!
Sunday was brutal. It was one of the worst starts I think I've ever seen by a Titans team.
I actually thought Tyjae would make more of an impact this year, but injuries have slowed him down. Callahan said he didn't have much of a workload on Sunday because his reps were limited in practice while in concussion protocol. On top of all this, Tony Pollard has really asserted himself and taken over the bulk of the workload from the backs. Tony had a tough day on Sunday, like just about everyone else, but he's been good most weeks. I do think we'll see more from Tyjae down the stretch, as he gets healthier, and because of what you said – coaches have said on numerous occasions they're trying to reduce Pollard's workload, and for one reason or another that hasn't happened.
Taylor Pennington from Milan, Tennessee
Question: Firstly, I would like to commend the Washington Commanders. Adam Peters is assembling an impressive team in his role as the new General Manager. I have witnessed the Titans in far worse situations, yet this scenario evokes memories of the Ken Whisenhunt era. Each week, I hear the need for improvement and better preparation. I am left questioning when we will see a tangible change. While I remain a supporter of the Titans, the current coaching staff certainly makes it challenging to maintain enthusiasm each week. It appears that we have regressed from Mike Vrabel rather than achieving the necessary advancement.
Jim: The season has been worse than I thought it would be, I'll admit that. I didn't think this team would win the division, but I thought it would be competing for a playoff spot about now, with maybe a 5-7 or 6-6 record. If the team had won some of the games it blew early in the year, that would be the case. So, whose fault is it? There are endless opinions on this. As for Vrabel, whose name gets brought up in here more often these days, his 2022 team produced one of the biggest collapses in franchise history, losing seven straight games to close out that season. His 2023 team last year lost 7 of the last 10 and won six games overall, including the finale. I'm not sure this is a regression as much as it is more of the same. We'll find out over the next five weeks.
Johnny Shelby from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Jim: two false starts to begin the game, and things went downhill from there. The team wasn't ready to play. That is on the coaches. Too many atta boys after the Texans game when the truth is the Texans gave the Titans that game, including a missed chippy 30 yard field goal would have tied the game at the end. I was also struck by the comments after the Texans game about how the Texans game meant more than the usual game because of history. That is the problem. I don't believe we would ever hear a Chiefs player saying one game means more than any other. These are professionals and each game needs to mean everything or we will be cursed with bad play and a team that is quite frankly embarrassing pretty much week in and week out. It's not just me saying this either. The national media paints us as a terrible team and rightfully so. I was hoping the Titans would shove Mike Florio's and others words down their throat about how bad we would be before the season started, but I now have to admit they were all right. This is just a sad state of affairs.
Jim: Hey Johnny. The Titans were awful on Sunday, no doubt about it. When you blame it all on the coaches, it's letting all these well-paid players off the hook. Those guys have a job to do, and they didn't do it very well themselves. It's on all of them. They're all professionals, as you mentioned. As for the meaning of the Texans game, there are rivalries at every level. Just look at what transpired in college football this past weekend. Some games do mean more, and there's nothing wrong with that. As for what Florio and other national media criticizing the Titans, well, the team has earned the criticism. And, the team's own fans are more critical than anything you see nationally. Have you not been reading the mailbag this year? You wouldn't believe the ones I don't publish, that include personal attacks and really vulgar stuff.
Andy Rao from Arlington, Virginia
Question: Hello Jim! I had the privilege (or misfortune as it turned out) to be able to see the Commanders-Titans game in person and was hoping for a much better showing coming off their unexpected and rousing W in H-town the Sunday before. However, in keeping with the Thanksgiving Weekend, the Titans delivered a turkey of a game (I'll be here all week folks, right next to pizza by the slice. Don't forget to tip the waitstaff on your way out). After that miserable first quarter, and me seeing my Titans score right before the half, I turned to the wife, and said "I don't need to see the rest of this mess in person. Let's go home." First off, Bill Barnwell of ESPN seems to be floating the idea that the Flying Callahans are in trouble, and that our first year coach is on the hot seat. I don't know of this is just to garner clicks or if there's any merit to it. I would have thought that last week's win might have bought our coach a little bit of a reprieve. Second, I get it when Coach Callahan says something to the effect of it not being a case of 'linear growth/improvement' from week to week, but this outing was disheartening. It's like taking one step forward and four steps back. Mini-observations: Levis is coming along. It is telling that in a blowout like this, he didn't have any picks (although he came close a couple of times) by trying to hard to get back into the game. Sure, his completion percentage was not optimal, but he had a lot of dropped passes in this game. I am surprised that they didn't let him run a little more since the running game was pretty much stifled. Pollard had one of his worst games of the year. I'm curious to see why Joshua Kelley wasn't activated for this game. Spears was on a snap count. So it's basically Pollard and Chestnut at the RB spot. I've seen enough of Jaquan Jackson as a punt returner for this year. Fielding punts when he shouldn't and just abysmal ball security. They should put him on ice for the rest of the year. I cannot believe that Mason Kinsey would be worse than this. The left side of our O-line has also regressed. Latham may have hit the 'rookie' wall. Did you catch Ridley expressing frustration at being open but not getting the ball when NWI caught the before the half TD. He stormed off the field at the half. What was that about? The team played with a little more fire coming out of the half for about a quarter and change, but they couldn't make it back all the way. Settling for FGs when you need TDs doesn't get the job done. The D was listless in the first half. The Commanders were playing through to the end of the whistle. The Titans weren't. The Titans were a step slow all game long. Chig had a good game. Could have had a great game. He seems to have found his form from last year. Wish he had better hands though. NWI continues to be a revelation. He almost makes Boyd superfluous. Almost. This week, the Jags come to town. This game should be winnable as the Jags seem to be just as bad or worse than the Titans, and will be short handed with no Trevor Lawrence (after that hit that Al-Shaair put on TL. Gotta say, that one was over the line. Even for a former Titan). I can't see the Titans winning more than 6 games this year. If that's the case, what would your assessment be of this year?
Jim: Hey Andy. Well, you pretty much covered everything in here. Sorry you had to witness such a poor performance. If the team wins six games, this season will be considered a disappointment in my mind. But if Levis finishes on a high note, and he offers some more proof he could be the guy moving forward, at least something good would have come from it. And, if the team wins six games, it would also mean the team won four of its last seven games and showed some promise down the stretch (aside from the disaster in D.C.). Let's wait and see how things play out, before I offer much of an assessment. But I'll never applaud 6-11 seasons.
Russell Sicard from Lockport, Illinois
Question: Jim, I couldn't help noticing that with the score at 28-0, QB Will Levis and a coach were laughing and yuking it up on the sideline. I can only imagine the reaction of Lombardi, Parcels or Belichick had they witnessed that taking place on a team they coached! Yeah, I know, the Titans are having a miserable year but I still think having a good time when you're getting your ass handed to you says a lot.
Jim: I don't think anyone was having a good time Sunday, Russell.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Well Jim, this was just sloppy. How are we in week 13 and Special Teams is still one of the biggest issues with this team. What is Colt Anderson doing? This has to be something Callahan addresses sooner than never. Don't get me wrong, this whole game was pretty sloppy play, however Special Teams is good for giving up at least one turnover every week. The Silver Lining is Jacksonville comes to town next week. I am not promising fireworks, but I think our chances are good. Have a great week Jim and as always TITAN UP!!
Jim: Hey Jeremy. The special teams unit has been a mess, no doubt about it. I think it's time to change the returner for sure. Just too many fumbles.
Ed Helinski from Auburn, New York
Question: Hey Jim. Greetings from the Finger Lakes and Happy Holidays to you. Here's my Titans mailbag question for you. Individually or as a team, what should the Titans ask from Santa for Christmas? Will it be a short or long list?
Jim: Oh man, Ed. It should be a long list. With the way this season has gone, though, the Titans may end up with coal.
Have a great week everyone!
