NASHVILLE – The Titans have a new GM, and plenty of work to do.
At the same time, plenty of questions continue to roll into the Titans mailbag.
Let's dive right in and see what everyone is thinking…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Ian Taylor from Springfield, Illinois
Question: Obviously great days are ahead for the Titans. Got ourselves a new GM and hopefully the vision will lead to long term success, with hopefully some immediate success. It's clear the Jaguars are going to be a force to reckon with moving forward.
If you were to predict, hypothetically obviously, what direction do you think the Titans will go for some added protection for Tannehill in the draft or free agency? What are some of the top options available if they go that direction? I think it's clear cut across the NFL that the more protection a qb has, the more success they have in the air. You can have a great qb, but if you only have 2-3 seconds to get rid of it, you lose a lot of check options and for Malik (if going to be option moving forward) give him time to make decisions in real time.
I think it'll be a great season moving forward with whomever we choose at OC. (About as obvious as our 1st downs, 3rd downs and long, or our two minute O). Have they gotten down to finalist? Or are they awaiting to see how the rest of the season plays out?
Ran has a rough road in-front of him.. it's clear to see barring injuries and predictable offense schemes, we had a decent team that could have easily been as good as the year before. Do you think Ran will be looking for instant or long-term success this year?
Jim: Hi Ian. It's too early to say what the plan to fix the o-line will end up looking like. The GM and HC need to sit down and discuss a lot of roster decisions – who stays, who goes -- moving forward, and I think a big part of those conversations will be about the offensive line. A new OC would obviously need to be a part of those conversations as well. But I could see a scenario where the team has 3-4 new starters on the line in 2023. … As for Ran's approach, I think you're always looking for long-term success, but that doesn't mean you can't do everything possible to put yourself in contention to win now. I don't see Mike Vrabel as a guy who is willing to concede anything.
Randy Paltzer from Kaukauna, Wisconson
Question: Good day Jim! Thanks for all you do. It sure seems to me that this fan base is to short sighted. I'm referencing Malik Willis. Obviously, these people were not around to see Steve McNair sit on the bench for 2 years before he was thrown into the NFL fire. Give Willis a break and give him time before you shove him to the curb and replace him with a 6 year practice squad player. Maybe I'm crazy Jim. What do you think?
Jim: Hey Randy. I've definitely seen a lot of what you're talking about. I do think folks have either forgotten – or are completely unaware – of Steve McNair's early years in the league. He was drafted in 1995, and you're right, he didn't play a lot his first two seasons. He didn't really blossom until 5-6 years into his career. With Willis – and I said this from Day 1 – he wasn't supposed to play at all in 2022 – or 2023. When he was drafted, I heard 2024 was the target year. Well, we all saw what happened when he was forced into action this past season – he wasn't ready. And that shouldn't have come as a surprise. Now, the question becomes: Can the Titans afford to spend so much time on a guy who may or may not develop into a starter? I do think that's a fair question.
Cedric Dale from Bowie, Maryland
Question: Hello Jim. I have been a fan of the Oilers/Titans since the 70's, still sweating/crying powder blue. The 2022 season wasn't 2021, but just jumping on the pile here. LT(TL) is a great person but he has had more penalties than playing time, QB (RT) is serviceable, but has clunkers. The WR group is ok individually but the group is less scarier than a Girl Scout troop, let's add a couple of WRs that will make Freddy Crugger cry. ❤️ the rookie punter (keep kicking kid). Welcome Ran, you and Mike WILL give the Titans fans great joy in the future =2 football 🏈 guys 24/7
Jim: Good to hear from you, Cedric. But Freddy spells his last name "Krueger." We don't want this guy mad at us…
Jim Williams from Lubbock, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. Now that Ran Carthon is in place as GM, it's time to concentrate on hiring a new OC. The best choice for that job could be Matt Nagy, the QB coach for the Chiefs. When Nagy was the Bears HC, he had a reputation for thinking outside the box and being quite innovative. His offense was a combination West Coast/RPO game with several deep passes thrown in. Nagy said that he didn't mind the long throws being incomplete, because they told the defense that the entire field has to be defended, not just the area around the first down sticks. Another good choice might be Falcons QB coach Charles London. He has mainly been a running backs coach and was with the Texans when Mike Vrabel coached there. Everywhere that London has coached a position, the players at that position have been very successful. Now for a question: all of Dallas is really sour on Dak Prescott this morning. Maybe Jerry and Steven Jones would be interested in a one for one trade of Dak Prescott for Ryan Tannehill. That change might help both players. What do you think about that, Jim?
Jim: Nagy and London are two names that have already been linked to the Titans from media reports. … Forget about a Prescott-for-Tannehill trade.
Sandra Rattler from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim. I'm overly excited that the Titans hired Ran Carthon for their General Manager. I was born and raised in Osceola, AR and know his family. I have been a long-time fan of the Titans and my all-time favorite is Steve McNair. My question is: Will the Titans be selling the Carthon jersey? Thank you
Jim: This is a great thought, Sandra. Will pass it along …
Luke Atherton from Alexandria, Pennsylvania
Question: Hey Jim! I'm thinking of going to a Titans game in Nashville next season! Fingers crossed I see my first in person Titans win. Now, I know you can't possibly know this currently but when the Titans bring back their Oilers throwbacks which game would you predict they wear them at?? I wanna go to a game where they decide to wear them! Hope you have a good offseason and hopefully I can go to my first Nashville game.
Jim: My prediction: vs the Houston Texans.
Jeffery McRae from Hartselle, Alabama
Question: I have a suggestion at the QB position. Release Tannehill. Sign Dobbs. I think they're similar QB's meaning they're not going to break any passing records, they're both mobile enough when they have to be and they're smart. Dobbs would be cheaper and Titans could spend some big money on some big O lineman that can get Derrick to the second level more consistently. Keeping the QB upright would nice also. Your thoughts Jim?
Jim: Tannehill and Dobbs are not similar QBs. If Dobbs is back, it won't be as the starter.
Carol Thomas from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Question: Last year after the draft there were rumors circulating that Coach Vrabel was caught off guard about trading AJ Brown to the Eagles. So, if he was as surprised by the trade as the rest of us, who is Ms Amy more likely to listen to when decisions like that are made, is it Coach Vrabel or the GM?? There are rumors out there about a possible trade of Derrick Henry. I cannot imagine a mistake like that would be allowed to happen again. However, there is much talk about salary caps and picking order in the draft that have me worried there might be more to the rumors than just speculation.
Jim: I promise you Mike Vrabel was not caught of guard by the A.J. trade, Carol. I wasn't caught off-guard by the trade, so I can assure you the head coach wasn't. Folks touting this nonsense were.
Dan Chilson from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Jim. With the new GM, "Reload" versus "Rebuild" has been stated. I cannot agree more. We need to re-load the O Line with Munchak-Matthews talent. If Taylor wants to stay then he may need to take a pay cut. Let's trade Malik and keep Josh Dobbs. Any updates on Fisher? Maybe we bring back Julio Jones.
Jim: Hey Dan. Updates on Fisher? He's the head coach of the Michigan Panthers of the USFL. And, Julio Jones isn't coming back.
LA Brown from Cordova, Tennessee
Question: Now that J.J. Watt is no longer playing, any chance Coach Vrabel considers giving him an opportunity to coach on our defensive line?
Watching him coach up his teammates on Hard Knocks was impressive.
Jim: Just being honest here, LA: I'm thinking J.J. Watt probably has better things to do.
Richard Colestock from St. Cloud, Florida
Question: Hi again Jim, first off congrats to Miss Amy and Coach for picking Ran....from what I've heard he's a class act and they know talent when they see it.
Secondly, I want to clarify a statement I made which you kinda took exception to. I said the Jags are for real now....contenders not pretenders. 2 games each year was an automatic win for us....not anymore. You advised me not to declare them the AFC South Champs quite yet.....I didn't...just saying it'll turn into a fierce rivalry....both teams will circle those 2 games.....no more automatic wins or losses.....and it'll be football worth watching.......just hide in the weeds and watch, Jim! Titans fan here forever but now we have competition.....TITAN UP!!
Jim: All good, Richard. I didn't take exception to it, I just said pump the brakes on declaring the Jaguars the next AFC darlings. All we heard leading up to the season – and then most of this season – was about the Buffalo Bills. And we saw what happened to them over the weekend. The Jaguars swept a depleted Titans team for the first time since the 2005 season. They were due. But that guarantees nothing for 2023.
Oscar Fregoso from Prescott Valley, Arizona
Question: just wanna put this out there thank god for a new face at the head office at the titans let's hope he not the only one let's spend some money and rebuild our team and let's go win the Super Bowl next year titan up let's go titans
Jim: Thanks for putting this out there, Oscar.
Have a great week everyone!
