NASHVILLE – Welcome to game week.
The Titans kick off the preseason on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers.
It will cap off the first few weeks of training camp, and perhaps provide some hints on the progress this team has made, and work that still needs to be done.
The Titans hit the practice field for session No.8 of camp on Wednesday.
Until then, here's the Tuesday mailbag to pass the time.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Hey Jim, hope all is well. I am looking at this breaking news of Quandre Diggs coming to Tennessee! Man Jim, if Titan Fans are not excited, I am not sure what more they need. Ran is doing a great job bringing in talent. Diggs and Adams have chemistry and veteran leadership. The offense should be putting up point. It sucks D-Hop is out for the first few weeks of the season, however I really hope Burks takes this opportunity to show up and show out. With Ridley and Boyd taking pressure off, he should be able to have his way with a secondary. Have a great week Jim and as always TITAN UP!!!
Jim: Hey Jeremy. It's definitely exciting news, and it just became official this morning. Quandre Diggs is a really good player, who adds a lot to the position. He's a three-time Pro Bowler who has made a lot of plays in the league. Ran Carthon and Company have proven they're going to assemble as many good players as possible at every position. It gives the team more options, and insurance, especially at a position where the team has deal with injuries in recent seasons. As for Hopkins, better to sit now than in season. Personally, I don't think he needs any work in the preseason.
Jeffery Raney from Pittsburg, Texas
Question: Hello Jim. The last two years I keep thinking that this may be Mason Kinsey's year to play and I end up being disappointed and not because of anything Mason has done. I wish they would give him a chance to play a season. If each player had his tenacity, we would not be questioning how good this team is going to be.
Jim: Hey Jeffery. Mason is busting it, once again. He's had a great camp, and he's proving himself each day to new coaching staff. He just needs to keep working. The reality is this team is deep at receiver, with not a lot of spots available. I can get to five really quick – Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Burks, in no particular order. How many will the team keep? Six, maybe seven? Along with Mason, Kyle Philips is also having a good camp. Jha'Quan Jackson was a sixth-round pick, and Kearis Jackson has value. No jobs are won by August 6, at least not the back-up spots. Stay tuned.
Ben Mead from Cherry Valley, New York
Question: Hey Jim! My question for you today is, do you see DeAndre Hopkins' injury as a door being opened for some of the guys who look to be lower on the depth chart? Will this potentially lead to the team to decide to keep an extra WR on the 53? Especially if the offense seems to have way more heavy WR sets. I've been a big fan of Kyle Phillips ever since he came to Tennessee. But his inability to stay healthy and with all the buzz around the rookie Jha'Quan Jackson i fear for his future with the Titans. With the top 3 spots all locked up with Hopkins, Ridley and Boyd. Who would you rank in the next 4 spots on the roster. Thanks Jim love your work! And as always TITAN UP!!!
Jim: Hey Ben. As you can see, we discussed some of this above. It doesn't sound like DeAndre's injury is going to be long-term, or impact roster decisions. As for ranking guys, NWI and Burks are next in line, not necessarily in that order. NWI has had the more impactful training camp between the two so far (he has twice as many catches by my count), but again, it's still early. The battle is on for the other spots.
Josh Bomar from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Good morning Jim. I'm a huge Vols fan as well as a huge Titans fan. Other than Theo Jackson, I haven't had a Tennessee Volunteer to root for on the Titans roster since Justin Hunter... From the videos I've seen you post of Jabari Small in camp, as well as the mentions he's received from you on some big runs that he's had thus far, do you see him making the roster, or do you see him being a practice squad guy or getting picked up by another team?
Jim: Hey Josh. Good to hear from you again. I've liked the looks of Jabari Small. He's had some nice runs, and he essentially beat out Dillon Johnson to stick around. As for where he stands right now, he's fifth on the depth chart behind Tyjae Spears, Tony Pollard, Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut. Let's see how things play out in the coming weeks. He's going to get plenty of chances in the preseason.
Daniel O'Hara from San Antonio, Texas
Question: Do you see the possibility that Mason Rudolph could be the starting QB this season? Thank you
Jim: Barring injury, Will Levis will begin the season as the team's starting quarterback. I'm expecting Mason Rudolph to be the No.2.
Micah McKamey from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I was curious about one of the rookies I've heard nothing about, how's James Williams? Also, how's Dillon Radunz been doing, and has he been pushing Saahdiq?
Jim: James Williams has made some plays. I like his physicality, and his toughness. As for Radunz, he's going to have a chance to win the job with Saahdiq Charles retiring. Charles was listed first on the team's initial depth chart, with Radunz listed behind him. These games – and joint practice next week – will help sort things out.
Jay Mack from Harrogate, Tennessee
Question: Has the NFL given a reason for the Titans having to play IN MIAMI two straight years?
Jim: Jay, I'm happy to go to Miami every year. I'm not going to bring it up.
Scott Harper from Florence, Alabama
Question: Hey Jim. I'm a former offensive lineman. I would love to see some video of 1 on 1 pass rush. Obviously, passport protection was a major area concern and I know it's more structured for defensive lineman to be successful, but would be fun to see big JC and the others in a 1on1 situation
Jim: Hey Scott. Passport protection was a major concern? That's news to me; I still have mine in my desk drawer.😊 Just kidding – I have plenty of typos myself. I'd love to show those 1 on 1 OL/DL videos to you. Per media rules, we're allowed to video certain portions of practice, and that's usually stretch and individual periods, along with some 1-on-1s with the WRs/DBs. Oftentimes the OL/DL work is off-limits, and they're taking place at the same time as the 7-on-7 work most days. I can tell you I've watched plenty, and it's been entertaining. And, safe to say, JC has held his own.
Tony Saluzzo from Clarksville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. Many of us up here in the Fort Campbell area are anxious to find out when in November the Salute to Service game will be. Do you know yet. We were hoping it would be announced already. We are just ready to roll for that game again this year. Thanks!!!!
Jim: Hey Tony. I have your answer. It's Week 11, on November 17 against the Vikings.
Have a great week everyone!
