NASHVILLE – It's time for another Titans mailbag.
This one after the team's latest loss, by a 27-17 score against the Chargers.
Nine games in, and it's been an ugly and disappointing season.
Thanks to all those who continue to write in.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Chris Allen from Houston, Texas
Question: Hey Jim. I was hoping I wouldn't have to say it, but it's my weekly mailbag question regarding special teams. Yet again we open the half with good momentum but special teams gives up another long gain. We can't blame Stonehouse this time.
Momentum shifted and we gave up 7. Special teams is really hurting this teams progress every single week. Do you see this changing this season or fans just gonna watch this weekly.
Jim: It was a killer for sure, Christopher, almost as much as the overturned touchdown. The Titans had just cut the lead to 13-10, and then the long return served up a short field, and a score. I wish I could explain why it keeps happening. Coach Callahan said on Monday one of the team's players got knocked down on the play, and he took out three Titans in the process, which opened up a huge running lane. In this case, it sounds like it was bad luck. What's troublesome is it seems to be something different every week. This much is certain: Poor special teams play has helped doom the Titans this season, and it's one of the reasons the team is 2-7.
Julie Wilson from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Question: My question in addressing our front line. Even though we have addressed the left tackle position, how or who can we find to block to protect Levis? Reason, more of my thoughts against the chargers..#72 could not stop the defense. I saw one play instead of sliding to catch defense coming through, he let him go. Then fouls as well. I am left dumb founded. Thanks. Hopeful fan.
Jim: It's been a rotating door at right tackle for sure, Julie. The team started out with Nicholas Petit-Frere, and he was replaced because of shaky, and inconsistent play. Jaelyn Duncan stepped in as a starter vs Buffalo, and he suffered a hamstring injury. He's now on IR. Leroy Watson IV has the right mindset, wants to be physical, but he gets too many penalties and he has lapses. John Ojukwu is still developing, and he doesn't have a lot of experience. So, where do things go from here? Isaiah Prince, who joined the practice squad in the last few weeks, could be another option moving forward.
Mark Mizell from Manitou Springs, Colorado
Question: Been a fan and attended games since we played at Vanderbilt. Was there on opening day and many times since. Came into this season with a lot of hope based on our free agency and a new coaching staff that received a lot of hype. Over the course of the first half of the season our coaching has failed to maximize what talent we added. Even worse, we can't execute the basics that should have been ironed out in training camp. Our special teams are miserable every week and make the same mistakes over and over. That's coaching. Our quarterback can't seem to grasp the concept of how to progress through his reads on various plays. That's coaching. Theres zero adjustments throughout the game based on how defenses are reacting to our formations. That's coaching. All that to say, how much of a sampling do we need in order to realize that this coaching staff not only can't take the franchise where we want to be, but it can't even put a competitive team on the field? Is one year enough? Do we give Callahan and his coaches 2 or 3 years? Feels like we're putting off the inevitable firing and starting over. That's a lot of years of continued frustration.
Jim: I can feel your frustration through my keyboard, Mark. I hear ya. It hasn't been pretty. I, too, think this team has underachieved. Personally, I never considered this a playoff team, but this team shouldn't be 2 and 7 either. I also know some of the players who were signed in free agency haven't panned out, and that's not the head coach's fault. Callahan didn't pick Levis in the draft, and he can't be blamed for Will's turnovers. He took over a team with a lot of new pieces, and it hasn't come together very quickly. How patient the owner will be through all this? I can't speak for her. She wants to win, I can guarantee you that.
Ethan Conley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Thank you for everything you do for us Titans fans. It's my first time writing and I decided to do it now. So I turned off my tv after watching Will Levis fumble and JC recover. I cannot believe it Jim. I had such high hopes for this season. Things just haven't been what I thought they would be. O line constantly fails. We already lost DHop. Tyler Boyd is underused. We have WAY too many penalties. Pollard and Spears might be are only bright spot. Honestly I'm just confused. Right before half time we had a chance to go for a Hail Mary. Yes, I know the chances of getting it was pretty slim. But it's something we should do. And guess what we did… we ran the ball. I saw Callahan do it during the Bills game. It was like a 3rd and 30 something and it was very unlikely that we were going to get it. I might be wrong but it feels like when you do that you're just giving up a drive. I remember Vrabel liked to run the ball, but he also knew when he needed to pass. And honestly last season the Titans were better with him. I like Callahan and I think he could be a very good coach in the future. My question is, how do you see this team improving from where they are right now? More specifically, what can Callahan do to motivate the team instead of "giving up drives"? Thanks!
Jim: Hey Ethan. How do I see this team improving? A lot of things need to be better, from QB play to pass protection to special teams to, dare I say it, more of a killer instinct of defense. I'm not blaming the No.1 ranked defense for a lot, but there have been times when the defense has been underwhelming in key moments, most recently in the red zone. But I suspect defenders are probably fatigued with feeling like they need to play perfect, because the offense can hardly be counted on for getting out of the teens. As for the "give up" drives. Hail Marys are great for the end of a game, but I don't necessarily like them at the end of the first half myself. Sure, it would be great to get a miracle score. But if a defender picks it off, then he'd mainly have a lot of 300-pound offensive linemen, and a QB, to beat going the other way. It's a risky play at the end of a half.
Colin Edris from Bristow, Virginia
Question: Am I the only one who sees bad calls in EVERY game?! There was a defensive penalty resulting in 3 points for the Chargers. The replay clearly shows a hold on the offense which should, at the very least, be offsetting. Also, That fumble and TD on Herbert being overturned is a complete BS call I feel like I see every week. I'm not saying the Titans deserve the opposite calls on these situations but they are obviously swaying momentum if you're actually watching the game out of the Titans favor. I'm tired of feeling like I'm being screwed by the refs/NFL in monumental situations that could sway that game potentially.
Jim: Hey Colin. I see bad calls by officials every week, not just in Titans games. Officiating has been bad across the league. I think everyone would just like to see a little consistency, especially as it relates to incompletion/fumble calls.
Jared Mixon from Willmar, Minnesota
Question: I just watched the Vikings win despite their QB throwing 3 INTs and the Lions pull out a win even though their QB had 5 INTs and Green Bay is 6-3 with Love at the top of the list with 10 INTs on the season. Then, you have Levis who played a clean game with zero turnovers and the Titans still lost, badly. I think it's time for fans to realize this isn't a QB problem, but a team problem. In my experience, young teams start off well but collapse in the third or fourth quarter. Looking at the roster, we have young talent but there aren't any veteran leaders- they've been traded away or left in FA. Fans need to stop talking about tanking for the draft, or dealing veterans for picks. We need to keep the good players we have and let them gain that experience that builds leadership on the field. Otherwise, we'll always be just a great 1st quarter team.
Jim: A lot of different opinions out there, Jared. It's a tough time. After a win, some fans are happy, and others are upset. After losses, some fans are upset, others are happy. That's what happens when you stink it up in September and October. I'm with you on it not all being a QB issue. Too many other things are going poorly on a consistent basis. It would be nice to build some sort of positive momentum to close out this season, just because there hasn't been a lot of positivity around here of late.
Joe Arcudi from Merrimak, New Hampshire
Question: Ok Jim... I have about had it....I can only imagine how you feel watching and covering this team every week. Lets look at the film...
- Outcoached pretty much every week
- Dominated in every aspect this week
- Awful play calling in the second half -- we are the worst second half team in football -- what does that say about coaching?
- Levis looked like Marcus Mediocre (Yes that name was coined by me all those years back)-- holding the ball on every pass play. He really looks
lost in this offense
- They were a beaten and bullied team that lacked fight
- Special teams awful in coverage again
- Overall undisciplined
Ran did all he could to improve this roster, but we are finding out just how bad it must have been. I really wanted to believe and let things come together, but this is awful and showing no signs of improving. Our head coach just looks lost and seems to be losing the guys. Hate to say it, but this rebuild will take much longer than we all thought. Just don't see Levis getting better and I fear that our head coach Brian Vanillahan is not the guy to get us there. Bunch of games still left to at least find an identity, but lets face it this is pretty bad across the board. I know Vanillahan wants to run a certain Offense but at this point open it up and see what we have...UGH
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Joe.
Dave Warren from Columbus, Ohio
Question: It's been a while since I've written Jim. Sadly, I cannot put it off any longer.
Being in Ohio, we don't get much chance to watch the games live. So, imagine my surprise today when I realized it was on as the FOX late game. Missed the first TD, but was able to hate watch the rest. Hate watch you say? Yes! While I had NO expectations of us winning, I was glad I could actually observe our shortcomings with my own eyes instead of someone else's commentary about them. First, it is BLINDINGLY obvious that coach Cally's offense is just too complicated for Levis. He only seems to move the ball well when the plays are scripted. First drive of the game, of the second half and the 2 min offense at the end. Any other time, he seems to get the jitters and holds on to the ball too long. Resulting in a sack, or a dump off pass that results in a 2nd or 3rd and long. Second, Watson at RT is NOT THE ANSWER. Third, Colt Anderson absolutely must be fired, NOW! Fourth, LB's covering receivers. See, Murray giving up an easy score.
So, my questions. Can the offense be simplified or run 2 min. offense must of the time to help Levis? Isn't there someone who wants to step up at RT currently on the team? Also, what did OL coach Callahan see in Watson? Cause it ain't obvious. Will coach Cally finally fire ST coach? Not really a question, but we have too many injuries on defensive to cover up shortcomings.
Preseason predictions of 5-12 are starting to look prophetic and that's if we beat the Jags, twice, and steal another win somewhere. Another lost season…sigh!
Jim: Hey Dave. Good to hear from you again.
Sorry the team upset you so much you felt you needed to write in again. But, I get it.
I agree with you on the scripted drive, when Levis looked at his best. I know sure coaches are trying to find more ways to help Levis, but he has to help himself in some cases as well. I thought he played better on Sunday, but some of those sacks were on him. And, it wasn't just Watson having trouble in protection. Sadly, I don't think the right tackle position gets fixed until 2025. Lastly, if this team doesn't start playing better, it's going to be hard to get to 5…
Sam Bingham Jr from Tuscon, Arizona
Question: Hello Jim, lifelong Oiler/Titan fan have caps, jackets, shirts sweaters everything cause I'm a loyal fan even have a half arm Tattoo that I got after they made it to the AFC championship game. So I'm not a millionaire I'm hardworking 8 hr individual who lives pay to pay check and YouTube isn't cheap and My Wife makes a point to try to pay for it for the past Two years and when you seat in front of tv and you see the same thing every Sunday it's disappointing. Why can't they make the same move live the Saints and fire this coach or fire special team coach? Do something to try to turn the season around or are they trying for Deion Son who already made the comment "I'm going to the League." Should've hired Dan Quinn instead. Please someone hear the Fans for a change we want to be excited like the Lions or the Commanders fan base please please ???
Jim: Hang in there, Sam.
Bradley Fields from Phoenix, Arizona
Question: Hey Jim, any chance Titans fans get a public apology from ownership before the season ends? It's not even worth watching the games or catching highlights because this team doesn't have any. And all this with a new stadium being built that most won't even be able to afford to attend. The Titans have always had an identity, a grit, a fight and purpose to how they play and now it's gone.
Jim: Man, Arizona is coming in hot today. I took out your Treylon Burks joke, though. Not going to let fans make fun of someone for being hurt. You think Treylon is happy about it? And, fans will be able to go to games in the new stadium. While some of the PSLs are high (what hasn't gone up in the last 25 years?), there will be plenty of affordable options as well.
Sadhish Silva from Manchester, Tennessee
Question: Regarding that fumble that was overturned, the refs rightly let it play out and even signaled TD when McCreary went into endzone. It was only because it was a scoring play that it got to have an official replay review and the higher ups in New York overturned it (I think it was a fumble personally, similar to one that went against us when Dobbs did it against Jaguars couple of years ago).
My question is if something like this is questionable for fumble or forward pass, would it be smart for the players to stop at the one-yard line and not making it a reviewable scoring play if refs let it play out?
Jim: Never thought about this, Sadhish. It would be tough to convince a defender to do this, though, especially not knowing how controversial/close the call might be. McCreary was just reacting to the loose ball on the ground, and he was thinking: Pick it up and score.
Luis Macouzet from Victoria, Mexico
Question: Hi Jim. Very poorly trained team, three consecutive penalties when we were in the red zone took us out of at least three points, a lot of hitting the passer, again very bad special teams, lack of talent and love for the team.
Blaming the referees is not a good idea, it is a losing team and that is what we are.
Jim: Hey Luis. I don't disagree with you. But, I didn't run across one player or coach after the game who blamed the refs for losing the game. That doesn't mean they agreed with the decision to overturn the touchdown. I don't think the Titans lost because of that call, though. They lost because they only scored 17 points on offense (and one of those TDs came in garbage time), the QB was sacked seven times, another special teams mistake, the defense not getting stops when it needed to, and more.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Well Jim, SOFI was great! The atmosphere was great, being around some awesome Veterans was great, the Titans offense was not so great. I can't complain about this game, my wife and I both Navy Vets had a great time. I'll just embrace the suck and push on and get ready for Minnesota! Have a great week Jim and as always TITAN UP!!
Jim: Glad you had a big time, even in a loss Jeremy. Thanks to you and your wife for your service. We'll be back in California, northern California, next year!
Have a great week everyone!
