NASHVILLE – Here's hoping everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend.
The Titans return to wok today, set to hit the field for their fourth day of OTAs.
Wednesday's session will be open to media, so we'll have another observations piece here tomorrow.
This Tuesday's Titans mailbag, well, it's here now …
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Bobby Jones from Charlotte, North Carolina
Question: Hey Jim! I'm excited about this time of year, but I must say I'm a little worried about the anchor of our defense. With Kevin Byard missing otas and Elijah Molden getting safety looks should we be worried about our Pro Bowl safety. Fulton missed out too. He is a great player and when on the field he's definitely had flashes of greatness but his inconsistency on getting and staying on the field I believe hurts him with any contract extensions. Hope they both are not holding out for this. Byard deserve every penny he gets and will get. I pray he retires in the two-tone blue. Fulton has time still to develop in to a very good cb1. Should we be worried though.
Jim: Hey Bobby. I wouldn't read that much into Elijah Molden working at safety. The team is looking to add to his versatility, and he's a smart enough guy he can play a number of spots. I don't look at it like they're grooming him to take over KB's spot for 2023. As for Fulton, I can't understand why he's opted to work elsewhere so far.
Evan Harris from Winchester, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. First of all, thank you for all of your excellent coverage of the Titans for the past 20+ years. I have been a loyal reader since the days when I would go into my high school's library just to grab their copy of the Tennessean so I could read your thoughts on the Titans.
Now, onto my question. I've obviously followed your articles this offseason, along with listening to you a few times on 1045 The Zone. Every time the WR position gets brought up, I typically see you write or say something along the lines of, "I don't think this is the final WR room," implying that you are expecting changes. I don't think that's a far-fetched idea, but I am wondering if you could elaborate. If an addition is made, do you think it is more likely to be a current free agent, a WR that gets cut during or following preseason, or a trade?
Jim: Thanks for reading, Evan. Time has sure flown by over the last 20-plus years. As for the receiver position, I have said multiple times I am expecting more additions. I can't be real specific, though, because I don't know who might become available in the coming weeks or months. I suspect the Titans will be in on some players after they're released by other teams. And, I think some of those players will be better options than some of the guys currently available. I do understand there's a pretty attractive big fish out there right now.
Wayne Randolph from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. I saw that the Cardinals dropped DeAndre Hopkins and I am wondering if there is any chance the Titans could sign him. I know our cap situation is not the best, but what would it take to get D-Hop, or do we even have a chance?
Jim: Hey Wayne. I knew this was coming. Heck, I got a half-dozen of these over the weekend. Of course I'd be interested, but this is a two-way street. Hopkins has already publicly named five QBs he'd like to play with, and he didn't have any of the Titans QBs on his list. Plus, the Titans don't have as much money currently available as other teams who could be in the mix.
Caleb Sutton from Roseville, California
Question: Hey Jim. As we all know DeAndre Hopkins a free agent I just wanted to know if the Titans are interested in him to be a starter or a mentor to Colton and Treylon.
Jim: Any team that signs Hopkins won't be signing him to be a "mentor." He's going to get paid to be a big-time performer for someone.
JoDee McCathern from Tennessee
Question: Why did the Titans draft two quarterbacks in the last two drafts.
Jim: The Titans took Malik Willis a year ago because he was considered great value in the third round. Will Levis was drafted in the second round, in part, for the same reason. QB is the most important position on a team, so I don't have a problem in taking a chance on guys. Sometimes it pays off, and sometimes it doesn't. Time will tell on these two, although it's fair to question Malik's future in Tennessee because of the Levis pick.
Craig Lobban from Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom
Question: Hi Jim, thanks for the coverage, really helps during the long off-season months. My question relates to the strength and conditioning team, have there been any personnel changes and are you aware of any changes to the otas this year from a conditioning point of view? All the best, looking forward to the titans visiting the uk!!
Jim: Good to hear from you Craig. No changes have been made on the strength and conditioning staff, and so far I haven't seen anything too different in OTAs. I think Vrabel will approach some things differently in training camp, but we'll have to wait until July and August to see what that looks like.
Jaden Dean from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Are we going to keep all 4 running backs? And if so who do you think will be used the most???
Jim: The Titans actually have six running backs on the roster – Derrick Henry, Hassan Haskins, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Jonathan Ward and Chuck McClelland. I think Derrick Henry will be used the most, and I think Spears is going to have a nice role as well. There's going to be a battle for roster spots and playing time after that and while a lot of folks are familiar with Haskins and Chestnut, I've liked the looks of Ward so far this offseason as well, so don't sleep on him.
Have a great week everyone!
