NASHVILLE – The conversation has sure changed, huh?
After Week 1, the mood was doom and gloom in here. Some folks were ready to release and trade players, and fire coaches.
Today, the Titans are 2-1, and on top of the AFC South.
It's hardly time to celebrate – the Titans still have warts, with plenty to improve. But it's a long season, and there will be more ups and downs.
Let's ride the momentum off this Sunday's win into another mailbag…
Here's the link to ask questions: CLICK HERE.
Jack Turvey from Bristol, England
Question: Hi Jim. I've been a long-time reader and fan of the Titans since staying up into the early hours of the morning to watch my very first Super Bowl. Something about the Titan spirit really spoke to me and has ever since. I don't have any questions but wanted to share something with you and the team that has been very important to me.
For the past 10 days I have been in a hospital bed with a chronic illness that I have been suffering with other the last four months. One thing that has been a highlight of this time has been to tune in and watch the Titans roll. I'll admit that the games haven't been perfect (and my heart rate has definitely gone higher than my drs would like) but seeing the boys fight back after the disappointment of week one has been an inspiration.
The reason I wanted to tell you this is because after yesterday's game I was determined to go the extra mile myself. So, this morning I have managed to get on my feet and walk to the bathroom and back for the first time in over a week. It may not seem like much but it looks as though I can finally go home and be with my family. I can't over state how much that has meant to me.
Moving slowly, lightheaded and out of breath, I thought of the King running over their defence, Tannehill diving for that first down, the next man up mentality proving key and the defence harassing the Colts. It gave me the strength I needed to not give in and to keep going.
The Titan way is not just a way to win football but a way to win in life. Please pass on my thanks to the team and the staff for being a prime example of what can be achieved when you take the right attitude. I'll be watching on Sunday, cheering from my bed and getting inspired to Titan up.
Jim: Wow, thanks for sharing, Jack. Take care, and here's hoping Titans fans will send some prayers your way. God bless.
Jeremy Friend from Erie, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim, Glad to see our next guys up play hard and at a high level, making plays against a good Colts team. Do you think the Titans will focus on attacking the weak points next week against the Jets or stick to Titans football? I noticed the Broncos were constantly putting pressure on the rookie QB and it worked very efficiently. I think possibly Titans try to make it hard on (Zach) Wilson and don't give him much time to react in the pocket. Just asking you your take on attacking next week. Thank you and as always #TITANUP
Jim: Hey Jeremy. I think the Titans will continue to try and do what they do well. And, like always, you try and exploit the weaknesses of your opponent. Plenty hinges on health as the team looks ahead to the Jets. A lot of key players are dealing with injuries, and it's too early in the week to have an idea on their status for Sunday. I like what I've seen from the pass rush, and how it impacted the game on Sunday especially. So I do expect the defense to crank it up even more, and try and fluster the rookie.
Kenneth Woods from Spring, Texas
Question: I am a Oiler/Titans fan for life. I want to know when will Darrynton Evans return and start to contribute our offense? He could really open up with him in the rotation. Our defense made a step forward in my book we got off the field when we had to, we just need to do it more often and no blown coverages.
Jim: Hey Kenneth. It depends on Darrynton's health. He's now eligible to come off of Injured Reserve, since three weeks have now passed. I've seen him on a side field doing some rehab work in practices, and he appears to be making progress. But he also has to work on his conditioning level, so he'll be ready when he cleared physically. In the meantime, I think Jeremy McNichols has stepped up. McNichols made some plays down the stretch against Seattle, and he had a big TD catch vs the Colts. That was supposed to be Darrynton, but staying healthy continues to be his biggest hurdle.
Jesse Ray McMurray from Hermitage, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! I appreciate your time! Huge win! So proud of this team's resiliency, togetherness, and defensive improvement! I've been to many games and was at the game vs Colts (close to Titans bench) and noticed SO MANY fans casually sitting around while the defense was on the field (even on 3rd down situations and other big moments throughout the game). Is there something the Titans organization can implement to get fans more involved at the games? How do we compare to other stadiums in this regard? Perhaps, hire some hype guys and post them in the stands to encourage fans to get loud during games? As Titans fans, we should establish a much better HOME environment for our team, because it's been embarrassing for far too long now!!
Jim: Hey Jeremy. Well, I guess I'll have to take your word for it. I thought the crowd was great, and into it. The noise and energy made an impact on the game. I'll leave your challenge for the fans here. Nissan Stadium isn't the loudest venue I've been to – Seattle and Kansas City rank as the top two. But the roar has been restored of late, and I think it's going to keep getting louder the better the team does. The Titans just need to give fans something to cheer about, and that hasn't always been the case.
David Butler from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: After watching Derrick Henry destroy yet another touted defensive player (Darrius Leonard), I think someone needs to start a "Derrick Henry Hall of Shame". Players can get their picture in the official gallery by becoming a victim of Derrick's punishing style and devastating stiff arm.
Jim: That list is growing by the game, David!
Brian B from Orange, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. I have been a fan of the Titans since they were in Houston as the Oilers and I love my team. We have been doing very well since coach Vrabel got there and I think it's time to rethink Tannehill as our starting QB. To me he is holding the team back from greatness and he should be playing backup. What do you think?
Jim: Hey Brian. Tannehill threw a couple of picks on Sunday. But anyone who thinks Tannehill is holding the team back isn't paying very close attention.
Ayden Scott from Clarksville, Tennessee
Question: What do you think your team needs to work on and do you think your team can make it to the Super Bowl?
Jim: Hey Ayden. The Titans need to improve across the board. As for the Super Bowl, hey, this team is focused on the New York Jets.
Josh Cantu from Houston, Texas
Question: NO QUESTION JUST WANT TO SAY LOOK OUT FOOTBALL HERE WE COME TENNESSEE TITANS NUMBER ONE*
Jim: I like it, Josh, a reference to the old Houston Oilers theme song here!
Jason Petty from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: Oh Jim, PLEASE help me understand! Why is it this team has/had this city and state just 💯 % convinced its our time, our year, yet we make 1 step forward then 52 steps backwards? They can't get out of their own way. I can't seem to grasp WHY?
Jim: Poorly timed email, Jason. Maybe save this one and send it back after a loss.
Pamela Saldena from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. Do you think Tannehill holds onto the ball too long? I do, although I'm a big fan of his toughness, efficiency and deep ball ability. I am concerned that as we get deeper into the season, stronger defensive teams will take advantage of him hanging in the pocket too long. Also, I would like to see Todd Downing use Tannehill's legs more often in scripted plays as opposed to him taking off on broken plays and short yardage end zone plays.
Jim: Hi Pamela. I think Ryan is pretty patient, waiting for guys to get open so he can get them the ball. I do agree he's getting sacked – and taking big hits – way too much. I know the team has taken advantage of his legs in the past, and he seems to do a pretty good job of knowing when to tuck it and run. I, too, like his toughness, but he needs to avoid taken big hits while risking injury. Losing him with an injury would be devastating to the offense.
Jimmy Dee from Battle Ground, Washington
Question: Dear Jim. In your article "Six things that stood out for the Titans ...." the last thing you mention is the good play of the defense. Yes, the defense looked good today but don't lose sight of the fact that the opposing QB was playing on two sprained ankles and probably shouldn't have been playing at all. The Colts head coach did the Titans a favor by starting a hobbled QB and not leaning on their run game even though their run game was having good success. Johnathan Taylor averaged 6.4 yards per carry and Nyheim Hines averaged 4.2 yards per carry, but the foolhardy coach of the Colts didn't have the good old fashioned horse sense to lean on the run instead of the pass. The Indy coach knew his QB was hobbled and yet he insisted on trying to win via the pass instead of the run. All that having been said, some of the Titans defensive players really did look good today - Ola Adeniyi, Harold Landry, Kristian Fulton, Janoris Jenkins, Rashaan Evans, David Long, Breon Borders, Cruikshank, Autry, Simmons, and Byard all played well today. And I agree with you about Tannehill's guts. He's one of the top 3 or 4 players at the QB position as far as I'm concerned. He's literally thrilling to watch.
Jim: Thanks for weighing in, Jimmy Dee. Always appreciate your emails even if I can't get them all in here.
Brian Woody from Gate City, Virginia
Question: Was the severity of AJB injury that significant to keep him out of the entire game?
Jim: He didn't return to action, so yes.
Steven Crosio from Brick, New Jersey
Question: Hey there Jim, after getting injured during that game how long do you think AJ Brown should sit should he be placed on IR?
Jim: TBD.
Hunter Phelan from South Pasadena, California
Question: Good Day Jim, wanted to thank the whole TITANS organization for the Oiler tribute week. Fantastic to see the Oiler legends get a place they can call home in Nashville. So happy for coach Bum and the Phillips family to see him be put in the Ring of Honor. Well deserved! My question is since it going to take a few years for the Oiler throw back uniforms, is there any possibility to wear just the helmet with the Titans uniform? Looks great on my nephews John Madden video game. Selfishly I would love to see it.
Also wanted to give out a shout out to old Oiler Coach Jack Pardee. Feel like he's pretty underrated as far as what his teams did. They were kinda known for underachieving or in better words choking. He had a pretty impressive record til the wheels fell off the wagon his last season after Warren Moon moved on with several other good players. Lots of people forget he coached Jim Kelly in the USFL playing against Reggie White and the old Memphis Showboats. Jim Kelly put up prolific numbers in the Run n shoot Houston Gamblers before moving on to the K gun and the Buffalo Bils. Us old Oiler fans under Pardee suffered through the John Elways BRONCOS the drive II , then the 32 point comeback to the Bills, but the most painful one to me was the following year after rolling off 11 straight wins to claim home field advantage for the playoffs. Oilers came up short to Joe Montana and the Chiefs ending the Oilers season and rematch vs The Bills the crazy comeback the year before which could have been the AFC championship in Houston. And hence that's why the Music City Miracle was so special for us Old Oiler fans. Sure, it was new city, uniforms and all the rest but there were still players on both rosters that played in that 93 game. For me personally I'm sure I startled the entire neighborhood. I went nuts! Later I thought about Coach Pardee must of been a good moment for him too. He just ran into some bad luck in the playoffs against some of the best qbs of all time.
Jim: Hey Hunter. I thought the Oilers Tribute Week was really cool, too. Seems like everyone really enjoyed it. As for wearing Oilers throwback gear, I don't think the team would wear the helmet without the uniforms. And, as I've mentioned here in the past, I think the earliest that happens would be the 2023 season. Good take on Pardee.
Have a great week everyone!
