NASHVILLE – The preseason is now in the rear-view mirror.
Next up is a big round of roster cuts (they started with nine players being waived on Monday), and then the countdown to the regular season opener on September 8 at the Chicago Bears.
There's a lot to discuss.
Let's get going …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Donley Canary from Raymore, Missouri
Question: Good Morning Jim. Excited about the upcoming Titan's 2024 season. The team improved itself in many areas and hopefully it will result in more wins on the field. Living here now in the KC area, I am familiar with L'Jarius Sneed's accomplishments on the field. YES, he was rested here too, but I thought he did practice with the team. How is this going to work with him NEVER practicing with his new secondary teammates? Chemistry and tendencies of his teammates is so important imo. Is it really true that he is not doing any type of full team practice/contact/ run throughs/ etc? Know you will set me straight! See you in September. Go Titans.
Jim: Well, we're about to find out, Donley. Like you, I've watched a lot of L'Jarius Sneed over the years. He's earned the reputation for being one of the best, most physical cornerbacks out there. The Titans expect him to be good from the get-go. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have at least some concerns about how things are going to go right out of the gate, without him – or Chidobe Awuzie – practicing much, or together, in practices and preseason games. The hope is those guys will get a good week of practice next week to be ready for the Bears. I suspect L'Jarius will keep getting better as the season goes, just like he usually does.
Andy Rao from Arlington, Virginia
Question: Jim, more observations. I think the best thing to come out of hiring the Flying Callahans is that thanks to Bill, this team can now run effective screen plays. Something that been missing ever since Arthur Smith departed for the Falcons head coaching job. They must have run about 8-10 of them in this Saints game, and all of them were tempo setters for a drive. The linemen didn't get too far down field and thus draw penalties, and the RBs/TEs set up their blocks effectively. I'm still high on Martin-Robinson and Oliver to make the 53 man squad, and not the practice squad. And for Odukoya's chase down on that missed FG attempt, he gets a spot on the practice squad. That TE room is going to be a tough one to pare down as Vannett didn't do anything to hurt himself either. I'm still perplexed as to what the coaching staff sees in Avery in the backend as he's usually the one getting flagged for holding and defensive penalties. The defense didn't do much to inspire confidence the way that the offense did. Kibodi and Mims were constantly gashing the Titans D for chunks of yardage on the ground, but the starters weren't out there for the defense so I'm not that concerned. While the game was no Rembrandt masterpiece, Willis leading the team down the field to score in the final two minutes and put the game away for good, that says a lot. Again, it's only pre-season, and this team could have been happy with going 2-1 in it and not try to win the game, but they showed me something. Isn't there some sort of correlation between going undefeated in the preseason and making the playoffs? Just asking for a friend.
Jim: The Flying Callahans? I like that, sounds like a circus act! The screens were a thing of beauty for sure, and Brian Callahan said yesterday he thinks they could execute them even better. As for David Martin-Robinson and Bryce Oliver, I think DMR has done enough to earn a spot. He's been really good. I've liked the looks of Oliver, too, but the biggest problem for him is he's on a Titans team that has a lot of talent at the receiver position. As for how preseason success relates to the regular season, I think there's something to be said about building positive vibes and getting better in the preseason. I think the Titans have done that, but I'm not going to put too much stock in the record, or success. Sure, it was a positive development. But I'll always remember the 2008 Detroit Lions going 4-0 in the regular season before becoming the first 0-16 team in NFL history. The only thing that matters is what happens in the regular season.
Jonathan Leavitt from Riverside, California
Question: Jim: Thanks again for all the work you put in to keep all of us who are hungry for Titans knowledge well fed! I've been watching Chance Campbell's play all preseason. I guess I love to root for the underdog, and I believe he has mostly been on the practice squad, if not entirely for 2 seasons. This preseason he was always flying around near the ball/play and ready for more! I truly expected him to make the team this time around! What were his stats in preseason?
I must have missed the play where he was injured. I dont recall anything said by the announcers. Although a few quick honey-dos did come up during the game and I missed a few plays here and there in the 2nd half.
What happened to him and when in the game? Was he able to walk off unassisted? Based on coach's comments on the topic in his presser - "He was playing about as good a football as you could ask from a guy. He was coming on strong, and playing a really good brand of football for us. Heartbroken for him – he was doing everything we've asked from him, and he was doing it really well. Disappointed for him, disappointed for us." It sure sounds like he was going to make the team! Any insight on that? What happens to him (or any practice squad member) financially in this scenario? Ready and waiting for September 8th @ the Bears!
TITAN UP! ... and thanks again Jim!
Jim: Hey Jonathan. It's a shame. Chance was having a great camp. He was injured in the second quarter, while on a blitz. After making contact with a Saints lineman, he was hit from the side by another lineman and went down. He stayed down, but he walked off on his own power with trainers. I do think he was going to make the team. He'll now going on Injured Reserve, and make the salary he was scheduled to make. And, he'll start the long rehab process once again.
John Ledezma from San Antonio, Texas
Question: I heard that the Titans are gonna be wearing the old uniforms on week 18, which is against the Texans is that in Houston or is that in Nashville? I like to buy tickets now, but I'm not sure because also the Titans are playing the Texans two weeks before that.
Jim: The throwbacks will be for the January game in Nashville.
Ray House from Honolulu, Hawaii
Question: Aloha, Jim! It will be a very Titans team this year for sure. In looking at your Camp stats, I couldn't help but notice what an outstanding camp FA QB Mason Rudolph has had. If Will Levis falters or gets injured, I get the impression our offense would be in good hands. Thoughts?
Jim: Hello Ray. I've been very impressed with what I've seen from Mason Rudolph. And, it seems like every time I've said that, I've had Steelers fans write in and tell me I should've be surprised. So, I guess that's a good sign.
Thomas Yates from Lillamay, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim, would like to thank you for the work done covering training camp and the preseason…it means a lot to fans like myself.
Question: The NFL now allows a third quarterback without it counting against the 53 player roster, or has that rule changed this season? I have not kept up with it. Malik Willis had an impressive preseason and I would like to see the team keep a third quarterback for reserve….
And kudos to the coaching staff… the offensive line had me smiling, which I haven't done in a while. Night and day my man… night and day!
Jim: Hi Thomas. Appreciate it. I enjoy it.
There has been some confusion about that rule. It's not actually new – it's the same as last year. The No.3 QB has to be on the team's 53-man roster to have a chance to play.
I actually asked Brian Callahan about it on Monday (before the team reportedly traded Willis to the Packers, a deal that should be announced later today). This rule now applies to the QB the team identifies to be the No.3.
Here's what Callahan said: "They have to be on the active roster. So, you've got to carry three. Usually that's how it works. You could still practice squad a quarterback and still elevate them. But they're still counting. It's not like a free spot. It comes across like you get a free spot for a third quarterback. But it's not. It's a roster spot and it's a real one and you got to carry them on your 53 to get that emergency quarterback. I would love it if they just made it a 54th spot or a 47th spot on game day or whatever that is. Or you could just carry a third quarterback and they can enter the game. If you need them at the end of the game, that would be great. But that's not the way it works, and I know they don't want to necessarily pay a 47th spot on gameday on top of it. So, I get how all of it works and it sounds appealing, but it's still a roster spot at the end of the day."
Roger Wilson from Spring Hill, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim, just a quick question regarding the schedule. I don't remember the Titans having a 2 week window from preseason to first regular season game. Guessing that is because of only three preseason games? Just wondering if the team will have light practices in that first week and try to get everyone healthy then start game prep the second week.
Jim: Hey Roger. This has actually been the schedule the last few years, with the two-week break.
This will be a light week, and the NFLPA negotiated players getting the upcoming weekend off (Friday through Sunday). Then it will be on regular season game week next week, with the biggest practice days being Wednesday, Thursday and Friday leading up to the opener.
Bill Holmes from Fairport, New York
Question: Hi Jim: I don't really take stock in W-L in he preseason games, given who plays when, but it *was* nice to see 3-0 in the standings. Really enjoyed the ability to watch the games on TV and see so many who were just "names" to me before that. My takeaways as we head to 53...
(1) Malik Willis looked terrible on the first two plays but then picked it up - those two darts to Oliver looked crisp and clean. Hopefully both showed enough to finish on the good side of the bubble?
(2) I was probably happiest seeing Ryan Stonehouse boom a punt. Hopefully he and Folk will again be league leaders in the kicking game. Saddest seeing Chance Campbell limp off the field and throw his helmet before collapsing to the ground. Dude plays with absolute heart and passion but injuries keep following him like a shadow.
(3) Love the mix of retained ballers and new blood, both rookies and veterans. Rudolph and Pollard are consummate pros and will be great additions to this team. NWI is Mister Reliable. Our pace seems to be more aggressive on both sides of the ball, so kudos to the new coaches and their philosophy.
I realize I forgot to ask a question, so...how ya doin'? TITAN UP, Jim, and thanks as always for the insider's look.
Jim: All is good here, Bill, thanks for asking. Hated to see Chance get hurt. He's had terrible luck from an injury standpoint.
Micah McKamey from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: We're almost to game day Jim! I've gotta know: What's Dennard Wilson's game plan to take care of Caleb Williams? How is Brian Callahan going to game plan against their solid defense?
Jim: If I told you this, Micah, I'd get fired.
Have a great week everyone!
