NASHVILLE – Two preseason games down, one to go for the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans improved to 2-0 in the preseason with a win over the Seahawks on Saturday night.
Next up, the team will travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Sunday.
Then, roster cuts, and the start of the regular season.
There's a lot to discuss.
Let's open up another Titans mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE
Ben Mead from Cherry Valley, New York
Question: Hey Jim, writing to you fresh off of Tennessee's win in their second preseason game. My first question for you is, do the Titans have themselves a new kicker?! Nick Folk is the definition of consistency and accuracy but Narveson really stepped up and showed he's got a leg with his 59 yarder and also hit the game winner. Although it was only preseason still a big kick for the young man. Secondly with the Titans resting all of their starters, I didn't see Kyle Phillips on the field. Has he been elevated to a guy with nothing to prove, or is he once again injured? Lastly, a little while back I asked you about WR depth. Due to the fact that there seemed to be multiple options for limited spots on the final roster. And after this game I've been impressed with what I've seen from TE David Martin-Robinson as well as Small and Chestnut at RB. All guys that are most likely cut candidates. If you can't tell I love dark horse players that come in and play their way onto a roster. Obviously not all of them will make the cut. So my final question is, is there a designation teams can put on players to keep other teams from scooping them off the practice squad or are all players that don't make the final 53 fair game? I've never fully understood the rules of such things. As always thanks for your Neverending commitment to the fans and TITAN UP!!!!!!
Jim: Hey Ben. Kicker Brayden Narveson sure fired up the fan base with his 59-yarder, and then the clutch game-winner at the horn on Saturday night. He did a heck of a job. But, it doesn't sound like it changed coach Brian Callahan's mind on who his kicker will be to start the season. It sure sounds like it's Nick Folk's job, and I completely understand that. Look, I like Brayden. He's a nice young man, someone who has gone out of his way to be friendly to anyone around the team. And, he's been pretty consistent since he's been here. In training camp practices, he's made 17-of-22 field goal attempts while kicking on four days. Other than an August 3rd practice when he went 3-of-7, he's made 14-of-15 kicks. But … he's never done it in a real NFL game. Nick Folk, meanwhile, has – he's been one of the league's most consistent kickers going into Year 20. And, he's been good in camp again, making 26-of-28 kicks. I get fans are fired up about Brayden, comparing him to punter Ryan Stonehouse's bid a few years ago. I also remember it wasn't too long ago when the Titans went through a bunch of kickers, and had trouble finding one after the departure of Ryan Succop. Fans were ticked off about all the inconsistencies, and missed field goals, that followed. Folk might not have the leg strength of Narveson, but he's been very reliable in Tennessee. I can understand why the HC and GM might be hesitant to make a change. As for Philips, he suffered a hamstring in the Thursday practice vs the Seahawks – that's why he didn't play. Lastly, all players released next Tuesday – on the cut down day to 53 – will be exposed to the other teams. No one can be "protected."
Austin Caldwell from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, watching the preseason game against the Seahawks tonight Julius Chestnut is looking really good. I've heard many people talk about he has a tough hill to climb making the team since he doesn't really offer anything that Spears and Pollard don't already have. With his performance and the teams focus on versatility, do you think it's possible he makes the team and they use someone like Chig as the "bruiser" in short yardage situations?
Jim: Hey Austin. I do think there's a good chance Julius makes it. As far as runners go, he's the No.3 back behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. He can also help on special teams, although Hassan Haskins is an asset there as well. Callahan has been pretty open in saying Chestnut is ahead of Haskins in the race for No.3. We'll find out in a week. It wouldn't be a complete shocker to me if the team kept both guys.
Jim Williams from Lubbock, Texas
Question: Hi Jim. Thanks for the video clips you post of each day's practice. I always enjoy seeing those. The Titans coaching staff is all new this year. Do you see any coordinators or position coaches who you think might get interviews for heading coaching jobs next year? Thanks.
Jim: Feels way too early to be speculating about this, but DC Dennard Wilson looks and sounds like a future head coach to me.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! Great catching up with you at the game. How do you see the Edge rotation shaking out when the regular season starts? After Landry/Key/Weaver I am curious to see who gets playing time after that. I know it's just preseason, but I was awfully impressed by Jaylen Harrell and Shane Ray looks like he can still contribute to a defense, but I'm not sure you can count Caleb Murphy out either.
Jim: It was good to see you, Joe. After those three, Harrell has moved himself into a position to be in the rotation. He's made a lot of plays in practices, in addition to the preseason games. After that, I think it's still up for grabs. I'm also curious to see who ends up on the market when teams across the league trim to 53 players. Will someone be out there who could be considered an upgrade over guys currently on the back end? I'm curious about how this plays out myself. I'll add that noticed Rashad Weaver a lot during the joint practices, and Shane Ray has flashed. Caleb Murphy is on the bubble, a potential practice squad candidate.
Andy Rao from Arlington, Virginia
Question: Hi, Jim. Not a question, but more of some observations. I hate to say it but Kyle Phillips is trending towards Adam Humphries land for this team. Tantalizing talent that would be great on this team, but is never available. I know he's a draft pick, but I've seen enough. I think RC should bite bullet and cut him sooner rather than later. Mason Kinsey also didn't distinguish himself against the Seahawks. I know that sideline route was a rocket thrown at him, but your QB is scrambling and delivers a chest high dime. Gotta catch that with your hands and not have it bounce off your shoulder pads. I like Bryce Oliver. He just seems to make plays when he's on the field. A younger updated model of NWI for this team. That blitz hot route catch and move to pick up the first down on a long yardage third down, a pro move. And Martin-Robinson is a revelation. Need to find spot for him. He can stretch the field at the TE spot. With both Chig and him lined up in the two TE spots, opposing DCs will have a fit trying to cover them with LBs. I was worried about the OLB spot with Key possibly being gone for the first six games, but with him now available, and with Harrell proving to be a solid stop-gap, I'm not as worried. I gotta say I'm surprised that the Steelers didn't keep Rudolph because based upon what I've seen with him in Nashville and what Russell Wilson and Fields have shown in Da Burgh, he's playing the best of that trio right now. A shrewd pickup by Ran and Co. Overall, while these first two pre-season games are not masterpieces, the team is playing with focus, urgency, and direction. Winning...even in the preseason beats losing.
Jim: Some good observations, Andy. Definitely agree with you on Mason Rudolph. I've been very impressed with what I've seen from him.
Frank Galovic from Bradyville, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. I may have missed this but I have a question on the new kickoff rules. Has the on sides kickoff been eliminated? Or can a team request the old kickoff rules if it is behind?
Jim: Hey Frank. The onside kick hasn't been completely eliminated, but it's different. Under the new rule, onside kicks will only be allowed in the fourth quarter, and only if a team is trailing. Also, the team that wants to attempt the onside kick will have to "declare" that it's trying it. The new rule eliminates the surprise onside kick.
Brad Smith from Grasonville, Maryland
Question: Hey there Jim! Been a Oilers/Titans fan since I was a 9 year old in 1978 when I first saw Earl Campbell running over people as a "Rookie On A Rampage",.the front cover title of Sports Illustrated story,.which I have a framed picture of that he signed in 1991!,.
Anyway, every year I order a new jersey, usually rotating my fav offense/ defense player at the time, which I wear opening day, so this year I ordered D-Hop in white and I swear, the day I got it out of my mailbox less than a half hour later it was announced that he had hurt his knee! I couldn't believe the "jinx" that I felt that I had caused,.lol..yet I am NOT superstitious, but what is the real prognosis at this time and will he be HONESTLY be ready for the season? And do you expect him to still be at least the impact he was last year? I know he is on the downside,.but I don't wanna see another Julio Jones scenario!,..thanks for your insight,..
Jim: Good to hear from you, Brad. Don't beat yourself up on this – you didn't jinx it. It sounds like DeAndre Hopkins could be back for the opener (per the head coach), which means he'll only miss the preseason. I'm doubting he would've played in the preseason anyway, so no biggie if you ask me. And, no matter what happens from here, Hopkins has put himself in a different category than Julio in Tennessee. He's already produced one 1,000-yard season. If he doesn't reach that number this year, it doesn't necessarily have to mean he had a down here —the team just has more options around him at receiver now.
Keith Traverse from Union City, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! Hope all is well! I will let other fans ask questions about our Titans players. I am really upset with the NFL! Why, with the salary cap exploding, are teams only allowed to dress out 48 players? Safety? Lol.. they have addressed that on the field in so many aspects. The rosters should be upwards of 55- 58 players. Every player should get to dress out!! I have seen teams' offensive lines get decimated and not have significant back-ups to protect the qb. They want games to be competitive, but a couple of injuries in a game, and you sat out the wrong healthy players!! It's time to make this change! Go TITANS!
Jim: Preach, Keith! I know others who feel the same way. The league doesn't seem to be in a hurry to make any change here, though.
Have a great week everyone!
