NASHVILLE – We're rolling into July, and edging closer to training camp.
Football season will be here before we know it.
This Tuesday's Titans mailbag, it's here now…
CHICAGO – Finally, it's Gameday.
The Titans kick off the preseason here on Saturday against the Chicago Bears.
We'll begin to get some answers about this squad as we edge closer to the regular season.
While we wait, let's answer a few questions in the latest mailbag.
Tony Wall from Dickson, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! Do you expect to see Will Levis or Malik Willis to get reps with the 1's at some point during camp?
Jim: Hey Tony. I expect to see both of them play a lot today, and I'm expecting them to continue competing in camp and upcoming preseason games. Ryan Tannehill is the team's starting quarterback, and that's why he's getting all the reps with the 1s. Levis and Willis have each gotten opportunities with the 2s, and that's what I think will continue to happen. I'm looking forward to seeing how they both do against the Bears.
Reinaldo Roman from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: I'd love to see Tannehill earn a contract extension next year. If he can bring our team to another AFC championship, an extension would be deserving.
However, if Tannehill is not extended, I really like the idea of Willis and Levis developing behind him this year and then competing for the starting role next year (with one winning the starting role and the other being the back up). I think they both have the potential to start in the NFL. I hope we keep them both on the roster this year.
Of course its all about this year and i'm confident Ryan Tannehill is going to do his thing! I'm predicting this will be the best year of his NFL career.
I don't care what the experts/analysts are saying. The Titans have the players and coaches right now to make a deep run. The "experts" need to pluck their heads out of the Chiefs and Eagles' rear end and pay attention to the talent the Titans have.
I don't actually have question but thanks for letting me chime in 😉
Jim: Appreciate you taking the time, Reinaldo. A lot of things at stake in 2023 for sure.
Josh Bomar from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! Just curios how Colton Dowell has looked so far in camp. Being a hometown boy who's father has been attending camp to watch him play is great to see. I'm really rooting for him, and I think with his athleticism, he has a chance to really produce once his game gets polished up to NFL standards. What are your thoughts on his chances of making the team?
Jim: Good to hear from you again, Josh. Colton's had a good week I think. Yes, he had a bad drop in Tuesday's session, but he's also caught a lot of footballs, and seems to be getting more and more comfortable. The competition has been good at receiver. Some others, like Tre'Shaun Harrison and Reggie Roberson Jr., have emerged alongside a bunch of others who will certainly be on the team. Colton has to prove he can help on special teams as a gunner, and he needs to be good in these upcoming games and joint practices to help his chances.
Roger Piccirillo from Bridgeport, Connecticut
Question: Hey Jim, hope all is well with you and yours. No question just a comment there seems to be a lot of hype around Willis during this training camp. I'm sorry but I'm not buying it I think Vrable is just trying to increase his trade value. We're talking about a quarterback who completed 50% of his passes last season. This training camp he is completing around 55% of his passes you're not going to win a lot of games with the quarterback completing 50 to 55% of his passes. He's playing against guys who are backups some won't even be in the league come week one he needs to be lightning it up against the talent that he's going against. He will never be a starter in the NFL. Just one man's opinion. Thank you for all you do.
Jim: Roger, Roger. Not sure who started that theory. I've gotten a few of those emails, too.
Robert Carter from Weyers Cave, Virginia
Question: Greetings to you and all of TITANS NATION. I have a question but I feel it's more of a gripe. Lamar Hunt is known as a "pioneer" of the NFL, and our own K.S. Bud Adams is mentioned with Mr. Hunt for what "THEY" have done for this league, and for "THEIR" contributions, why is Mr. Adams still in the consideration process? Thank you for all the information you pump out to all the Titans fans around the world. Keep makin it do what it do. OILER/TITAN UP.
Jim Hi Robert. I'm with you on this, and I know we're not alone. I've written a number of stories, and talked to a lot of folks, about how Mr. Adams belongs in the Hall of Fame. The perfect line of thinking on this is: You can't write the history of the NFL without Bud Adams. Mr. Adams played a key role in the game's history, and he was a long-term owner of a very successful franchise on top of that. Here's what others have said on the subject HERE, and here's a more recent story I did when I talked to Clark Hunt at last year's Super Bowl: CLICK HERE. Hopefully one day it will happen.
Joel Tanaka from Aiea, Hawaii
Question: Jim. The depth chart is confusing with respect to the wide receivers. Treylon Burks is not listed and NWI and Philips are listed behind Hopkins on WR line. Am I missing something? Can you clarify? Mahalo.
Jim: Aloha Joel. First off, prayers to the good people of Hawaii. It's heartbreaking to see what's happening in Maui, a beautiful place I've visited in the past. As for the depth chart, you must be reading it wrong. Treylon was listed as the starter, alongside DeAndre Hopkins. Then you're supposed to read the depth chart from left to right, then back to the left, underneath, and across again. Aloha.
Eldon English from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Uncle Jim! If Mike Vrabel is willing to give up his power in the preseason to give others more experience, do you think you could do the same for the @TitanUpPod a give them a preseason Britches Report to enhance their experience in the field?
Jim: A great thought, Eldon, but I've always been told snitches on britches get stitches. … Maybe I could hit them up with another sock scoop …
Justin Tibbs from Dyersburg, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. Hope all is all good with you. Love your mailbag. My question is do you see us maybe bringing back Lewan since our O line seems to need depth?
Jim: No.
Jeffery Raney from Pittsburg Texas
Question: Hello Jim. Who appears to have the lead at right guard?
Jim: Daniel Brunskill, formerly with the 49ers.
Nate Howell from San Antonio, Texas
Question: I see the percentages of field goals made for the kickers. Are they practicing like it's a game with the special teams units out there trying to block the kick and make them hurry or is just a snapper and holder?
Jim: Hey Nate. They're trying to put as much stress on Calen Shudak and Trey Wolff as possible, working in hurry-up situations with the clock winding down, kicking in special teams periods in practice. But it's hard to simulate some of what you're talking about in practices. It's too risky from an injury standpoint. Both of those guys have been very accurate so far in camp, but you're right – the true tests will come in these preseason games, when there's more pressure – and more of a rush.
Brandon Moore from Greenbrier, Tennessee
Question: How does this year's offensive line compare to offensive lines we've had in the past three years? Could they get on the same level as the 2021 or will it be similar issues to last year?
Jim: Way too early to tell, Brandon. Let's see some games first.
Have a great weekend everyone! Enjoy the game.
Rich D from Homestead, Florida
Question: I was critical of the Titans draft and I shouldn't have been, the picks can all carve out a spot on the roster. Josh Whyle is 6'6 and when deployed with Chig can cause some matchup nightmares, granted Whyle needs to be able to block and develop well. I am a huge Tannehill fan and hated the Levis pick (could of got a wr) but Levis is definitely becoming a favorite pick from the draft for me. I believe Will Levis can be a top 7 QB in this league in a few years, no doubt. Question... Do you think there is any possibility the Titans could trade for Corey Davis? I think Davis would fit better than Hopkins.
Jim: I appreciate the email. As for Corey Davis, I get the sense you're not alone. I've received a lot of emails on him. I have to be careful, working for the team, because Corey is under contract with another team, and I don't want to get in trouble for tampering. But I continue to see rumblings about his status from reporters who cover the Jets. We'll have to wait and see what happens with him in New York, and with DeAndre Hopkins as well.
Ryan Cubit from Brookfield, Illinois
Question: Jim, we have already experienced question marks on the offensive line. With Nicolas Petit-Frere getting suspended what do you think the chances are that the Titans bring in another lineman to protect Tannehill? Or do you think they look for Jaelyn Duncan to play at RT? Always appreciate it, Jim. Thanks and Titan Up!
Jim: Hey Ryan. I'm not ruling anything out, but right now I'm just concentrating on the in-house options. Time will tell what the GM/head coach might be thinking. I've mentioned before that if a vested veteran is on the roster for Week 1, his salary is guaranteed for the year. So that has to be considered. The team does have options on the team, from bumping guys like Daniel Brunskill or Peter Skoronski from other positions to Jamarco Jones to Jaelyn Duncan, to others. Duncan is a physical specimen – he looks the part, is very athletic. I've heard great things about his smarts. But is it realistic to think he could jump into a starting role for Week 1? Well, we'll get some answers, or at least clues, later this month when training camp begins.
Rick Pinkerton from Terryville, Connecticut
Question: Jim happy belated birthday. We are only getting younger. Two questions. With the trouble at running back, do you see Julius Chesnut as a possible roster player? Is he still with the team? Do you see the team keeping 3 QB's if Mallik outperforms Will and earns the backup position. Have a great summer.
Jim: Thanks, Rick. The Titans have a good tandem in Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears. After that, yes, there are questions. I like Chestnut, who is still on the team, but I've also liked the looks of Jonathan Ward this offseason as well. Not sure what's going to happen with Hassan Haskins moving forward. … As for the QB spot, I am now of the opinion the team will keep three QBs.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Well Jim, just when you think this will be a quite couple of weeks before training camp opens.... Petit-Frere gets suspended, Haskins just did something to jeopardize his spot on the team. How do you see Ran and Vrabel handling Haskins? I know he is a young man and this will be a life lesson (I hope). Do you see the team cutting ties with him?
Jim: Hey Jeremy. I haven't seen either of them since the Haskins news broke, and I'm not going to speculate.
Dan Quickel from Paris, Kentucky
Question: What is the chance we win 9 games. It looks doable to me. Thanks.
Jim: Sure there's a chance.
Richard Clodfelter from Bell Buckle, Tennessee
Question: Belated happy birthday, Jim. Your mailbags are a most welcome part of every week, so please keep them coming. Hoping for the best this coming Titans season.
Jim: Will do. Thanks, Richard!
Andrew Vining from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Will the Titans be releasing their training camp schedule publicly?
Jim: Yes. Stay tuned. It will be later this week…
Brian Williams from Carteret, New Jersey
Question: How's it going Jim hope all is well with you good sir!. I know it's still relatively early but outside of the young guys we expect to have a breakout season like Treylon, Kyle, and Chig… has any other receiver shown any signs of having a surprise breakthrough guys like Racey or Dez? Also can you give any insight on the coaches feelings on Caleb Farley going into year 3? I was big on Caleb coming out of VT just as much as the coaches were when they drafted even with the injury! It's sad to see him struggle with his health on the nfl level as well I just want to know if the coaches are still high on him or is this definitely a make or break year for him as far as being a Titan and is there the slightest chance he might not make the 53 man roster?
Jim: Hey Brian. Racey is going to have to stay healthy, and then perform well on a consistent basis. He's flashed before, but needs to keep it going. Dez, meanwhile, is no longer on the team – he's with the Steelers. … As for Farley, I think everyone agrees he's a nice young man who entered the league with a lot of potential. But he's been hurt a lot, is still not healthy, and he has to get healthy to give himself a chance.
Have a great week everyone!
