NASHVILLE – It was another frustrating day on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Titans fans are tired of all the losing, but they seem to be upset for other reasons coming out of the 23-13 loss to the Vikings.
Let's talk about it all in this Tuesday's Titans mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Jon Patten from Scappoose, Oregon
Question: Hey Jim, hope all is well for you and yours.
Man, it's been a rough season. Lifelong Titans fan here, been rooting for the two tone blue since the '94 Oilers and I was 7. Full disclosure, I'm also a Vikings fan, but this past weekend really demonstrated to me where my true allegiances are. I'm devastated by this most recent loss. Not because I didn't expect it, because with how this season has gone, I did. It's just a true statement, as much as I hate to make it. No, this recent loss feels so much worse because we SHOULDN'T have lost. That's what, in my opinion, sucks so much about it. The Vikings didn't score a single touchdown on a drive that wasn't extended by penalty. Not one. Our #1 ranked defense did phenomenally. Levis seemed like he was starting to settle in, despite our O-line's horrendous play. Which, to be fair, actually looked improved, in my opinion, but still wasn't good enough. And yet, we still should have won, even with that being the case. We lost, debatably, because the officiating crew decided we should lose that game. The Brown Unnecessary Roughness call was indisputably a momentum shift. It took away a TD, gave them a fresh set of downs, and they capitalized. Add the calls against Prince, who, from the angles they gave us on replay, was lined up properly, and that also took away a 50+yd TD off the board. A call that even the broadcast team and rules analyst said we're ticky tack at best. If the refs don't blows those 2 specific calls, all other things set aside, the final score is 20-16 Titans win. I'm not usually one to blame the refs for a loss. Like they say in fighting sports, "never leave it in the hands of the judges". But, in this particular case, these men have done their jobs exactly as they should have, to the T, by the rulebook. I know this has seemed like a rant, and truthfully, it might be a little of that. But my question is, what sort of action is taken against an officiating crew that literally decides the outcome of a game, such as this one? Does the NFL look into these officiating crews, review their body of work, and instill disciplinary action when a crew is found to be influencing the outcome of games? As a fan who feels like this crew specifically stole one from us, I'd like to think that, if there indeed was something nefarious at play, there would be something done to prevent that from continuing.
Thanks for your time, Jim. This season has been hard, and I'm just a fan. I can't imagine it's any easier when you work for the organization.
Jim: Hey Jon. Thanks for taking the time, and I know the team appreciates your support. Judging from the crowd on Sunday, it appears support is dwindling. I do agree with you that the team played hard, and there were positives from the game. There were reasons to be encouraged during a discouraging season. And, while I agree the officiating was bad, I'm not going to say the Titans would've definitely won without some of those calls. The way this season has gone, had that been ruled an incomplete pass in the end zone (and not an unnecessary roughness), the offense probably would've gone three-and-out, punted, and the Vikings would've returned it for a touchdown. It's just been that kind of season. But, hey, I would've loved to have found out. I questioned the ticky tack alignment penalties as well, and the defensive penalties against Brownlee Jr. against a physical receiver in Justin Jefferson. Those were weak calls. I thought the officiating was as bad as the turnout from Titans fans at Nissan Stadium.
Arleen Neisz from Estero, Florida
Question: Another week of frustration, but not with the team this week. I'm not exactly sure the number, but Tennessee had around 295 yards negated from penalties, including the TD to Calvin Ridley. Along with that, all three of Minnesota's TD's came after negated 3rd down stops from the Titans due to penalties, not to mention the outrageous unnecessary roughness call on third down. I'm not saying that a Tennessee win would be written in the stars without all this, but without all these, it would be 20-3 Titans. It's so outrageous the treatment we get from officiating and I'm glad Cally let 'em know. On the bright side, Levis is looking a lot better every week. TITAN UP.
Jim: Hi Arleen. Two in a row on this subject,. I know a lot of Titans fans are frustrated about this. I never like to blame the refs, because I think that's a cheap excuse after a loss. But Sunday was a bad day for the officials at Nissan Stadium, no doubt. Just some bad calls, plain and simple.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Woof. I don't think any of us were predicting a super bowl this season, but this has been beyond what I had thought was possible this year. This is more of an observation than a question, but I do want to point this out. As much as I will always have love for Coach Vrabel, I really appreciate how upfront and honest Coach Callahan has been this year. I think this makes it easier to empathize and relate to the struggles the team is going through. In the past, Vrabel would often gaslight us and choose to be difficult when answering media questions. I think Cally has done a great job being brutally open about what we're dealing with, especially with the Right Tackle position. I also appreciated him being fired up with the officials about that awful call on Mike Brown in the end zone
Jim: Hey Joe. No doubt, Callahan has been very open and honest about this team. And, he's put his emotions on full display along the way. He's a really good guy, and if the team had more wins, I think fans would be willing to embrace him a lot more. Until that happens, he's going to just have to keep working and try and give fans a reason to believe.
Jerry Miller from O'Fallon, Missouri
Question: Hello there, Jim, I'm not here to bash the Titans, just the fans. Yes, this season has been tough, but I knew going in that there would be struggles as Cali gets his system in place. My main frustration, though, is with the lack of homefield advantage. I've been a die-hard fan since the days of Moon, and watching the game yesterday, I was shocked by how many Vikings fans were in Nissan Stadium. I was watching on TV, but it seemed like there were entire sections filled with purple. How does that happen? I'm guessing a lot of those tickets belong to PSL owners who are selling to opposing fans. I've been to plenty of Titan home games over the years, and this is nothing new—whether it's a playoff game against the Bengals or a regular season matchup, there always seem to be a ton of fans from the visiting team in the stands. How can we fix this? When you watch other teams like the Steelers, Chiefs, or Bills, they have a true homefield advantage. Titans fans need to take ownership of their stadium and make it a real fortress. I just hope those ticket holders who are selling their seats to opposing fans are using the money to buy some new Titan gear for when the team turns it around. But hey, TITAN UP! We'll get there.
Jim: Hey Jerry. I hope you didn't adjust your TV – you're right, that was purple that took up a lot of the stadium, including the lower bowl. "How can we fix this?", you asked. For starters, the team has to play better, and make fans want to come. Coach Callahan said as much on Monday. But this is also question for the Titans fans who sold their tickets to Vikings fans.
Carlos Perez from Columbus, Indiana
Question: Hi Jim, I'm glad you don't do a mailbag for NFL officials… not sure if they are just incompetent, or are helping the teams with better record to have more interesting playoff spot battles or if they want the Titans to have a top 3 draft pick. Good to see Levis progress, I hope he keeps improving every game and becomes the franchise QB we need him to be. Need to tell Ran to give NWI a well deserved WR2 contract extension. I wish Gibbens a speedy recovery! Now the question, why the team can't try to put Radunz in the RT spot? I know the coaches see him as RG, but the tape shows he is the sole competent RT in the team. Corey Levin can be our RG. As always, Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Carlos. The coach and GM have said all along they think Radunz is a guard, and he's gotten better there. So, it's obvious they want to stick with him there. But I get where you're coming from. I'd be interested to try anything to fix the mess that's been the right tackle position. The team obviously overestimated what it had at the position heading into the season, or, it underestimated how big of a problem it was going to be. This is certain: It's helped wreck this season.
Cliff Stephens from Smyrna, Tennessee
Question: Good morning Jim hope everyone is doing good. I watch every game whether it's good or bad. I thought yesterday's game showed a lot of good plays and toughness. I just wish someone could explain to me why some teams get a high ammount of calls and other teams get very few. I am not blaming the officials for the loss but when you watch every play there are calls that can be made on either team. It just appears the officials are inclined to call more on one team for what ever reason than on both teams. A lot of the calls this year has been B S calls whether it's the Titans or other teams. Thanks or your time
Jim: Appreciate you chiming in, Cliff.
Barry Wright from Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Question: Well Jim my team now stands at 2 and 8 for the season, and today I have to admit to being in a right 2 and 8 about my team. To explain: 2 and 8 is Cockney rhyming slang for being in an agitated state or very being very perplexed indeed. Plenty of other so-called fans have elaborated on the reasons why this state of play exists on here, and on other platforms, so I will say only this: Onward and upward. Love ya Blue. Titans forever!
Jim: Thanks for writing in, Barry.
Terry Anderson from Glasgow, Kentucky
Question: Jim hope all is well. Enough of the refs already. Clete's crew is pretty bad anyway. Every game that crew is on it's always inconsistent. Bad call on 4th down sure. All the procedure penalties were called on Prince and none on the Vikings? They lined up the same damn way! This officiating crew should be fired they suck. Still doesn't make a difference when you're a 2-8 football team! Maybe you get the benefit of doubt if you win games? It's not a good season for Callahan but Levis has shown improvement! Excited for him. Now in the draft maybe we pick high enough to get Travis Hunter and get a lockdown corner who has been coached by a hall of fame corner in Coach Prime. We just need those guys who win. Why do we keep Nicholas Petit-Frere? Drop him and take your hit. He's a bust. Tired of excuses for offensive line. For the last 2 seasons they get quarterbacks hit too much. Ridley has looked good!!! NWI looks good!! Get some good talent in the draft and hopefully the coach gets better. Don't know how patiently the team front office will wait if Cally doesn't get a few more wins this year.
Jim: I hear ya, Terry.
Jordan Law from Chapel Hill, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. I wanted to ask a question here. Do you think it would be a good idea for the coaches to be able to challenge penalties instead of just plays? I think the reason why I'm asking this is pretty obvious.
Jim: Sure, but I'm not sure what the best solution might be. I do think, with all the strides being made to try and correct bad calls, something should be in place to make sure they get more obvious calls right. Other than a few Vikings fans in my mentions, I haven't heard of one person who thought the unnecessary roughness call in the end zone was the right call.
David Friend from Lehigh Acres, Florida
Question: Hi Jim, it's been a decade since I contacted you. Threw the rough and the better I quietly watched and cheered for this team. To the point I cannot keep quiet any longer.
This team is atrocious, and I believe it's the coaching staff to blame. I simply cannot believe that the staff and ownership does not see that this scheme is not working. Whatever they the coaches brought from where they came from is garbage. Our offence is unfocused and playing subpar Levis looked great at the last part of our season. Different coach different scheme. Either he is scared to throw or there not letting him. Rudolph Mason is better by a long shot. No, he is not a long-term solution for the quarterback position, but he has more confidence and doesn't look so confused at the snap. And there are numerous more problems with the offence again on coaching and players. I'm seeing no dynamics or emphasis on fundamentals with this offence. This team needs serious help. I stopped watching Sunday in the first quarter as I could predict the outcome. I'm sick of watching my team throw assets away. I'm sick of losing games. We are better than this. I've seen it. I've been a fan since the oilers. I really thought Callahan might be a good solution. and he might could be, but something is amiss. I cannot believe his father doesn't pull him aside and discuss situations with him. This team just doesn't make sense anymore. Guess Ill just wait another 10 years and see what's going on. God Willing Amy Adams Strunk get involved. Bud Adams is crying in his grave. Good day.
Jim: It's been a while, David. And, it's been a bad year for the Titans, no doubt. But you should have stuck with the game on Sunday, because you might have been a little more encouraged. The team showed some fight, and Levis was solid for the second game in a row. Does this team need to get better? Yes, of course. Are there reasons for fans to be upset, and running out of patience? Absolutely. But changes have been made to try and fix things, and the process will obviously continue.
Scott Caldwell from Dresden, Ohio
Question: Mr. Jim, 38 more days till Christmas. Unfortunately, instead of visions of sugar plums, I see NFL referees, dressed in green furry suits, stealing presents from Titans fans, and leaving behind a bunch of dirty yellow flags !!! ........'nuff said!!!! P.s. - on a brighter note , love watching the John Travolta- Santa Claus - credit card commercial! Go TItans!
Jim: Glad you're in the Christmas spirit, Scott!
Doug Goldstein from Las Vegas, Nevada
Question: Jim. Ugh. I'm old enough to remember when watching the Titans lose was at least an entertaining experience.
Now, it's just brutally painful to watch these games.
The Titans played like Mike Tyson, they just shuffled around like a decrepit old man for a bit waiting for the Vikings (Paul) to effortlessly throw some punches and easily get the victory.
I guess the best plan would be to entirely skip the first half, as we know they will not even try to pass the ball for more than 2 yards.
3rd quarter seems like a great time to turn the game on as they are usually down significantly and have to start passing the ball.
I've read comments stating the Titans get some horrible penalties called against them and I fully agree. However, the self inflicted penalties are ridiculous. Do they really need to put hands on a player that is 3 feet out of bounds? Prince can't figure out how to line up?
I guess it could be worse, I'm just a schmuck watching at home on my tv. I can't imagine being a season ticket holder and not wanting to even go to the game. There was a ridiculous amount of purple in the stands, not even a real home game. Not a "Cally" fan. The Callahan clan needs to pack their bags and scram
Jim: I give props to the season ticket holders who showed up.
Chuck Rhoten from Kingsport, Tennessee
Question: Jim I think even though we lost again we are looking better on offense, what is your opinion. I still think the Right side of the line needs to be replaced next year if possible this year. We look confused knowing who to block. I don't know if there is a stat for unblocked pass rushers but we have to be on top of that stat. I'm concerned with our LG also, I know he was a tackle in college I wounded if he would be better at RT than LG. We did sign two guards last week. Levis is looking better, he just doesn't have any time and when he makes a good play the O-line has a penalty. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Jim: Looked better on offense throwing the football, looked worse running it. And, protection continues to be an issue.
Have a great week everyone!
